ATHENS — It has been said over and over that football is a game of matchups, and in most cases the most integral aren’t always obvious to the naked eye.
That will not be the issue when No. 3 Georgia (3-0) travels to play No. 2 Alabama (3-0) in the battle of the SEC’s only unbeaten teams at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
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The Bulldogs’ defense established itself as the best in the nation last season and has carried that over into 2020, leading the SEC in all of the defensive major statistical categories.
The Crimson Tide’s offense is scoring more points per game than any league team and has the most efficient quarterback in college football in Mac Jones.
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Jones is 66-of-83 passing for 1,101 yards with 8 TDs and 1 interception and a 220.3 passer rating.
It would appear to be a matter of strength-on-strength in what has been billed by some as the Game of The Season.
If the game this Saturday in Tuscaloosa is anything like the past two meetings in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, it will be must-see TV.
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Georgia led or was tied 118 minutes, 54 seconds of the 120 minutes of the two games, and yet, Alabama has wound up on the winning end both times.
Tide coach Nick Saban has a well-documented 21-0 record against his former UGA assistants, including those two wins over Smart.
Here’s a look at how the teams’s stack up in team categories with conference rank and a look at offensive leaders:
Quarterbacks
Alabama: Mac Jones 66-of-83 for 1,101 yards with 8 TDs and 1 interception, 220.3 rating.
Georgia: Stetson Bennett 53-of-84 for 689 yards with 5 TD and 0 interception, 151.6 rating.
Running backs
Alabama: Najee Harris 52 carries 347 yards, 10 TDs
Georgia: Zamir White 54 carries, 209 yards, 4 TDs
Receiving leaders
Alabama: Jaylen Waddle 19-396, 3 TDs
Alabama: Devonta Smith 27-316, 2 TDs
Georgia: Kearis Jackson 19-300, 1 TD
Georgia: George Pickens 8-87, 2 TDs
NCAA STATISTICS
(SEC rank)
Scoring Offense
1. Alabama 51.0
5. Georgia 36.0
Scoring Defense
1. Georgia 12.30
7. Alabama 30.30
Total Offense
2. Alabama 560.3.
7. Georgia 420.0
Total Defense
1. Georgia 236.7
11. Alabama 473.0
Rushing Defense
1. Georgia 38.3
9. Alabama 150.7
Rushing Offense
3. Alabama 175.3
4. Georgia 172.0
Passing Offense
2. Alabama 385.0
8. Georgia 248.0
Pass Yards Allowed
1. Georgia 198.3
11. Alabama 322.3
Passing Efficiency
2. Alabama 211.45
9. Georgia 135.29
Pass Efficiency Defense
1. Georgia 99.03
7. Alabama 148.72
Sacks Allowed
T-2. Alabama 1.33 per game
T.-4. Georgia 1.67 per game
Team Sacks
2. Georgia 3.33 per game
9. Alabama 1.67
Kick Returns
1. Georgia 42.75
12. Alabama 13.40
Kick Return Defense
T-3. Alabama 15.00
7. Georgia 18.13
Net Punting
1. Georgia 47.74
13. Alabama 33.50
Punt Returns
5. Alabama 11.0
10. Georgia 7.13
Turnover Margin
2 Georgia 1.00 per game
T.6- Alabama 0.33 per hame
