Alabama vs. Georgia score: Tide win SEC title, end Dawgs’ streak with eye on College Football Playoff berth

ATLANTA — No. 8 Alabama upset No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, picking up a 27-24 win and throwing the College Football Playoff picture into chaos one day before the four-team field will be announced. The Crimson Tide (12-1, 9-0 SEC) won the day defensively as the previously explosive Bulldogs (12-1, 8-1 SEC) matched their lowest point total of the season.

Alabama coach Nick Saban improved to 3-0 over Georgia coach Kirby Smart in the SEC title game with nine straight wins with the conference championship on the line. The Tide also improved to 5-0 against No. 1 teams in the CFP Rankings.

With the loss, the Dawgs saw their 29-game winning streak — tied for the third-longest in FBS history since 1973 — come to an end, and their chances at a third straight national championship likely fell by the wayside, too.

Alabama’s offense did its part with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to surge ahead 27-17 with 5:47 remaining. Quarterback Jalen Milroe started 0 for 4 passing but settled in and finished with two passing touchdowns against a Georgia defense that saw few such dynamic QBs during the regular season.

Two-time reigning champion Georgia looked destined to continue its unbeaten march early with an opening TD drive but failed to score on its next five possessions as Alabama asserted itself defensively. The Tide’s defensive improvement coincided with the offense scoring on three straight possessions to close the first half.

• Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond led both teams with five receptions for 79 yards, four of which came on a crucial scoring drive for the Tide in the second half.
• The SEC West improved to 13-2 in SEC Championship Games over the last 15 seasons. This was the final year of the SEC’s divisional format.
• Georgia had won four straight contests during its 29-game streak when trailing by at least 10+ points.
• The Dawgs’ 78 yards rushing were their fewest since 2020 (at Cincinnati).
• Georgia is 1-2 against Alabama and 40-0 against every other team it has faced since 2021.

Read on below for takeaways as Alabama defeats Georgia for the 2023 SEC championship.