Story by
4 takeaways from Georgia's SEC championship win vs. Alabama
- Story by
- 4 takeaways from Georgia's SEC championship win vs. Alabama
The Georgia Bulldogs (12-1) played their biggest matchup of the season: the SEC championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3). With Kirby Smart's awful record against Alabama (2-7) and the necessity for the Crimson Tide to clinch a playoff spot with a win, Georgia was trying to keep calm and do their job, which is exactly what they did, defeating the Crimson Tide 28-7.
Georgia was dominant defensively, only allowing Alabama to gain 209 total yards. The Crimson Tide were also 3 of 14 on third down and 1 of 3 on fourth down. The front seven had four tackles for loss and three sacks, with safety JaCorey Thomas nabbing his first sack of the season.
Advertisement
The offense was alright, with only 297 total yards, but they did enough to win. Gunner Stockton , in his second SEC championship win, had just 156 passing yards on 26 drop backs, but he had three touchdowns in the air. The Dawgs scored touchdowns, not field goals on trips to the red zone. Wide receiver Dillon Bell was great with the ball in his hands, whether that's through the running or passing game. He had 69 total yards and a receiving touchdown.
Georgia will probably get the No. 2 spot in the College Football Playoff, which means they get a bye week, although they will play in a neutral field. It's the same situation as last year, except this time, Stockton has a year of good experience under his belt. Alabama, meanwhile, will need a nod from the committee to be welcomed into the playoffs, facing a road matchup.
Takeaways from Georgia's SEC championship win
The defense has turned a corner
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) scrambles and is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Zayden Walker (10) during the fourth quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Bulldogs defense was a problem in the beginning few games of the season. Without a pass-rush sacking or pressuring the quarterback, Georgia's defense struggled to stop good offenses, which was evident when they gave up 41 points to Tennessee and 35 points to Ole Miss .
Advertisement
That has changed for the better since the second bye week. No team has scored over 21 points against Georgia since November, and in the past four games, Georgia has given up a combined 29 points.
Teams can't even get yardage against Georgia's defense. The Bulldogs' offense averages 416.1 yards per game, and out of the last six opponents Georgia has played, only Mississippi State has gained within 100 of that tally in a game against Georgia.
The run defense was awesome, forcing negative yardage from the Alabama rushing offense, but the biggest revelation has been the pass rush. They've gotten 12 sacks in the past five games, totaling at least three sacks in three of those five games. Guys like Zayden Walker, Elijah Griffin and Quintavius Johnson are adding some juice to the pass-rush. Overall, the defensive identity of Georgia seems to be back, and it's led to the Bulldogs looking unstoppable.
This isn't 2024 Gunner Stockton
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Gunner Stockton made his first appearance in last years' SEC championship against Texas after quarterback Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury halfway into the game. He did well to lead the Bulldogs to a thrilling 22-19 overtime win over the Texas Longhorns , but the situation was a lot more stressful. Stockton was coming in completely fresh to the College Football Playoff, and while he did well (234 yards and a touchdown on 32 attempts), he didn't do enough to win Georgia the game against Notre Dame, losing 23-10.
Advertisement
Fast forward a year, and Stockton has not only taken control of the starting job; he's become one of the best quarterbacks in college football. He's gotten better in every game, and against the hated Crimson Tide in the SEC championship, he torched Alabama for three touchdowns.
That would've been unthinkable in 2024, a year where every game felt closer than needed and then quarterback Carson Beck led the SEC in interceptions. Safe to say, Stockton's play has made Georgia fans forget all about the stress they felt from his first appearance in the 2024 SEC championship.
Special teams makes a big difference
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Cole Speer (83) blocks a punt from Alabama Crimson Tide punter Blake Doud (38) during the first quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
If there was one play that made the difference in this game, it was senior wide receiver Cole Speer blocking an Alabama punt in the first quarter. That play didn't just set up Georgia in great field position to score and make it 7-0, it set the tone early for Georgia to win in dominating fashion.
Advertisement
Many of Georgia's biggest games involve something big happening on special teams. In the 2023 Peach Bowl against Ohio State, a missed field goal that sent Georgia to the championship. In the 2023 SEC championship loss, Georgia missed a field goal and they lost by a field goal.
Georgia won this game primarily through their defense, but special teams played a part in Georgia winning this game too. As it always does, special teams become important at the most unexpected times.
Georgia is the best SEC team of the 2020s
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Georgia Bulldogs defense pose for a photo after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
This SEC championship win is significant not just for this season, but for the Bulldogs' legacy from this time period. It proves that the Bulldogs are officially the premier SEC team of the 2020s.
Advertisement
They've won back-to-back SEC championships, and they've made five straight SEC title games. No SEC team has made it to five that since the Florida Gators did it from 1992-96. However, Georgia and Alabama both have a stretch in the 2020s where they won three SEC titles in four seasons.
Now, Georgia and Alabama are tied in SEC titles this decade, but Georgia has more appearances in the championship than Alabama (4) in this decade.
This win was instrumental in proving Georgia is now the team to be feared in the SEC. While it was Alabama in the 2010s, Georgia is the SEC kings of this decade.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Four takeaways from Georgia's SEC title win vs. Alabama
