#4 – 2012 Alabama vs Georgia – 10 Most Important Games of the Saban Era

Welcome back to Throwback Thursday as we continue our countdown of the top 10 games of the Nick Saban Era at the University of Alabama. We continue this week with our number 4 selection, the 2012 Southeastern Conference Championship game between the Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs.

The Crimson Tide came into the game as the number two team in the country, clicking on all cylinders after taking down rival, Auburn, 49-0 the week prior. However the Bulldogs would be no easy foe, featuring quarterback Aaron Murray and a defense led by big John Jenkins in the middle of the defensive line and Jarvis Jones, the league’s best linebacker flying across the field.

The stakes were high. Not only would this game decide the conference champion, but the winner would earn a trip to the National Championship while the loser would be out of the BCS picture all together.

In a back and forth battle through the course of the game, there we sat, on the edge of our seats in those final moments. TJ Yeldon grinding through for the first down right before AJ McCarron threw a picturesque pass through the air as Amari Cooper sped down the sideline.

Then, Georgia had their chance as Aaron Murray directed his offense like an orchestra, overcoming what was believed to be an interception to put his team in position. Then on the final play Alabama LB CJ Mosley lept toward the clouds, getting a finger on the football as it fluttered into the hands of the Bulldog receiver who was tackled five yards short as time expired.

The game comes in as the fourth ranked game because of the high stakes, the way the Crimson Tide were able to fight back and had Alabama lost-we would be talking about 2 Capital One Bowl appearances in 3 seasons instead of three national championships in 4 seasons.

While just one game, this game was the key in helping Alabama become the dynasty they have become. Watch the game below and check out the previous selections here.