Staff Predictions for Alabama vs. Georgia

The game most SEC fans have been waiting for since the schedules were announced has finally arrived. Although Alabama didn't make it to this game undefeated like many expected, there's still plenty on the line on Saturday afternoon.

The Crimson Tide will look to avoid its first 0-2 conference start in 25 years, while the Bulldogs are trying to prove they are a serious threat for a national championship.

These two teams don't play frequently but just about every meeting over the past 20 years has been pretty memorable. That's especially true of the 2008 'Blackout' and the 2012 SEC Championship Game. Those two rank high on Nick Saban's list of signature wins at Alabama.

So which way is our staff leaning this week? It's pretty split.

Barry Sanderson (Host of Inside the Locker Room)

Georgia has a hard time running the ball vs Bama's front 7.  I look for Bama to play well on special teams and pull out a close win. Alabama 21, Georgia 17

Wimp Sanderson (Host of Inside the Locker Room)

Alabama has a tough time scoring points.  The crowed will be a factor in the Tide making mistakes with it being Jake Cokers first true road game and the weather. Georgia 26 Alabama 14

Gary Harris (Host of The Gary Harris Show)

Alabama at Georgia...This is a tough game for me to get a feel for. I picked Georgia to win the SEC Championship this season and really like the Bulldogs. I have been leaning to Georgia in this game for some time, but I just can't pull the trigger.

Alabama has it's back against the wall, and I believe the Tide will come out swinging some mighty blows. It looks as though bad weather will be a factor in the game, and I think that favors the Crimson Tide. It should be an "old fashioned slobberknocker." My score: Alabama 20, Georgia 18 

Chris Stewart (Host of The Chris Stewart Show)

The big "IF" as of late....IF Alabama hangs on to the football, the Tide will be fine. Even before the forecast changed from pleasant to lousy, I was of the opinion that JK Scott and Adam Griffith could be the key guys in this game for Alabama. Griffith kicks the game-winner, as Bama wins a tight one. Alabama 24, Georgia 23

Ryan Fowler (Host of The Game)

As I write this prediction, the current forecast for Athens, GA is expected to be really wet.  Rain is already falling there now and will continue to fall until game-time. Saturday’s forecast calls for 80% chance of rainfall and expected amounts are to be between 2-3 inches of rain with 10-15 mph winds. If this forecast remains the same, we will see a very sloppy and in many ways Alabama/Lane Kiffin will have to be dedicated to rushing the football in those nasty conditions.  I can not be convinced UGA has better players than Alabama. Nick Saban is better in big games than Mark Richt. So, I like Alabama to win a nail bitter game. Alabama 24, Georgia 21

Ryan McMunn (Producer)

Alabama is traveling to Athens for their first true road game of the season, and it will be Jake Coker's first true SEC road game start. How he responds to the hostile environment will dictate how Alabama performs this Saturday. Oh, and also the hurricane will help dictate how the game will be played, too.

Georgia's front seven on defense are as good as they come, but that isn't their most elite unit on the team. When you mention the Bulldogs, you can't leave out one of the best tandem of running backs in the country in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb has 600 yards on the ground through four games (well, 599, but close enough) and Michel is not only a good ball carrier, but a dangerous weapon catching the ball out of the backfield.

The Crimson Tide will have to find a way to prevent committing turnovers if they want a chance to win this game. If they can keep the turnover ratio even with UGA, the Tide will go into Athens, GA and walk out as victors. However, I don't think that'll be the case. Georgia has two levels of revenge on their minds (the 2008 Blackout game and the 2012 SEC Championship Game), and while it'll be a great college football game, Georgia takes the win and hands Alabama their second loss of the season. Georgia 27 Alabama 24

Trey Brooks (Producer)

I am not confident in that pick at all. There's Week 1 Alabama and then there's Week 3 Alabama.  Week 1 Bama would ride Derrick Henry and set up play-action. Week 3 Bama would set up in shotgun and run too many deep routes against double coverage.  Week 1 Alabama will win. Week 3 Alabama will lose.

The game comes down to Grayson Lambert. If he completes passes like he did against South Carolina, Bama will struggle. However, I see the Tide being able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides.  Look for Kenyan Drake to play a major role. Alabama 27, Georgia 23

Kevin Connell (Contributor)

For the first time in 73 (!) games, or the 2009 SEC Championship Game, Alabama will enter Saturday’s game at No. 8 Georgia as the underdog, and it’s not entirely difficult to see why. The Crimson Tide’s special teams have been average, its offense has looked lethargic for stretches and it’s already lost a game this season.

But Alabama’s defense looks as strong as ever – especially when stopping the run – while its own rushing attack has proven capable of competing with anybody. If the weather turns out as dire as the forecasts call for it to be Saturday, both factors, certainly, seem to lean more in the Crimson Tide’s favor.

Oh, and as for the last time the Crimson Tide was an underdog in a regular-season game? The 2008 “Blackout” game in Athens, when an upstart Alabama team dominated then-No. 3 Georgia, 41-30. Alabama 24, Georgia 20

Ben George (Digital Managing Editor)

I have two primary thoughts on this game. First, Georgia has skated by playing the two worst teams in the SEC, Louisiana-Monroe, and an FCS team. There's talent on the roster and this could be an SEC Championship team, but I need to see more before I crown them. Second, Alabama can beat anyone if it plays mistake-free football, meaning don't turn the ball over and execute in all facets of special teams.

Add in the chip on the shoulder that Alabama will have as an underdog and I think the team finds a way to win in horrible weather. Alabama 17, Georgia 16