As always, a electric atmosphere pregame in the Georgia World Congress Center and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the 2025 SEC Championship Game.

   Since 2020, Georgia is 71-3 against everyone else not named Crimson Tide. But, they were amazingly just 1-4 against Alabama in that time. Now, they can even that out a bit at 2-3 with one of those being a national championship win. This is the seventh championship game showdown between the two since 2012…two for the national championship. Bama was an astounding 17-1 in Atlanta combined between MBS and the Georgia Dome. This was their first ever loss at MBS. 

   UGA came in at #3 knowing they will be in the playoff either way and a possible move up to #2 with a win. The convincing Bama loss precariously at #9 might knock them out of the playoffs, especially with the early season loss to Florida who were so bad they fired their head coach.

   No. 3 Georgia delivered a dominant, wire-to-wire performance Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, smothering No. 9 Alabama 28–7 to win the SEC Championship and all but secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

   Quarterback Gunner Stockton played with veteran poise, guiding a balanced Georgia attack that mixed efficient passing with a punishing ground game. Time and again, Stockton extended drives with accurate throws on third down and timely scrambles, keeping Alabama’s defense on the field and the Crimson Tide offense watching from the sideline.

   “Our quarterback was outstanding,” head coach Kirby Smart said afterward. “He managed the game, took what they gave him, and made big plays when we needed them. When your guy under center plays that composed in a game like this, you’ve got a chance every time you line up.”

   If Stockton was the steady hand, Georgia’s defense was the hammer. The Bulldogs front controlled the line of scrimmage from the opening series, collapsing the pocket and bottling up Alabama’s rushing attack. Kalen DeBoer’s usually explosive Tide offense never found a rhythm, repeatedly forced into long-yardage situations and hurried throws.

   “We knew how talented they are on that side of the ball,” Smart said, referring to DeBoer’s offensive reputation. “Our kids took it as a challenge. They played with physicality, tackled well in space, and didn’t give up the explosives that group is used to hitting.”

   Field position was another hidden edge, and it belonged squarely to Georgia. Punter Brett Thorson routinely flipped the field, pinning Alabama deep with high, directional kicks that gave the coverage unit a chance to swarm. On a night when every yard felt contested, Thorson’s work helped turn the game into a long march for the Tide and a short field for the Bulldogs.

   “Brett was huge for us,” Smart said. “Special teams matter in championship games, and he kept them backed up all night. That’s as important as any touchdown when you look at how this one played out.”

   Special teams also were responsible for blocking a punt giving UGA a short field that resulted in a score. In fact, all four of Georgia’s touchdowns were on short fields provided to them by special teams or the defense.

   By the fourth quarter, UGAs offensive line had worn down the Alabama front, opening lanes for clock-chewing runs that erased any thought of a late comeback. The Bulldogs added a final touchdown drive to push the margin to 28–7, then knelt out the last seconds as red-and-black confetti rained down.

   The win gives Georgia a second straight SEC crown under Smart and adds a marquee, decisive victory to an already strong playoff résumé. It was also huge in changing the narrative that the Tide owned the Dawgs previously winning four of five before this loss. Georgia was 71-3 during that time against other teams.

   As the Bulldogs turned their eyes toward Selection Sunday, Stockton summed up the mood in the locker room.

  “We’re proud of this one, but we know there’s more out there,” he said. “Coach talks all the time about not being satisfied. This was a goal, but it wasn’t the only goal. Now it’s about getting ready for whoever comes next.”

   Georgia will likely get a first round bye in the playoffs. They’ll find out who plays who Sunday at noon.