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Alabama football report card: Does Tide get an A in drama class for win over Georgia?
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Alabama football report card: Does Tide get an A in drama class for win over Georgia?
Alabama football survived Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The No. 4 Crimson Tide held on, beating No. 1 Georgia 41-34 . Alabama 's lead vanished before taking the lead back late on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to Ryan Williams and securing the victory with an interception by Zabien Brown in the end zone in the final minute.
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Alabama has two straight wins against Georgia in the last year, last beating the Bulldogs in the 2023 SEC Championship Game.
Here is how we graded Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) in its home SEC win against No. 1 Georgia (3-1, 1-1).
Alabama football offense: A-
Alabama's offense lives and dies with Milroe. And in his first opportunity to run Kalen DeBoer and Nick Sheridan's offense on an SEC stage, the redshirt junior quarterback showed the rest of the country what that looks like at its best.
With Milroe behind center, the Crimson Tide ran a diverse, balanced and explosive offense that left Kirby Smart and nationally-touted Georgia defense with no answers. Milroe was seemingly always one step ahead, even with the occasional mistake, whether it be penalties or his first interception of the season.
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Alabama defense: B
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarter back Carson Beck throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Kane Wommack never planned to change his defensive approach against Georgia. Against an offense that had a reputation of playing mistake-free football, he still wanted the Crimson Tide to swarm.
That plan worked. Alabama was consistently around the ball, leading to first-half interceptions by Domani Jackson and Jihaad Campbell and countless tipped balls. The pressure came, which led to the Crimson Tide's first safety of the season and a Qua Russaw forced fumble.
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But the bend-but-don't-break nature came to fruition late as the Bulldogs took control offensively, enough to give them a lead in the final three minutes. Wommack's defense ended with an exclamation point on Brown's interception.
Alabama special teams: B+
Alabama was not in need of a special teams boost. James Burnip landed one of his five punts inside the 20-yard line. Graham Nicholson hit each of his extra-point tries and one 28-yard field goal.
Alabama coaching: A-
DeBoer, Wommack and Sheridan welcomed themselves into the SEC in major fashion, never really straying from their scheme or identity despite facing the team fighting to take hold of the conference in a post-Saban era.
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Alabama overall: A-
The Crimson Tide looked like it belonged in the SEC, beating the team many thought of as the cream of the crop. This is all DeBoer can ask for. But questions remain for Alabama as SEC play continues.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football report card: How did Crimson Tide do vs Georgia?
