2022 College Football Playoff National Championship
Mon., Jan. 10 @ 8:00 pm ET
Georgia Bulldogs vs Alabama Crimson Tide
Georgia Bulldogs Notes
CFP History For The Bulldogs
This is the second time Georgia has made the CFP and the Bulldogs have advanced to the National Championship Game both times.
Georgia will again face Alabama in the National Championship Game. The Bulldogs advanced this year as the No. 3 seed after topping No. 2 Michigan 34-11 in the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla. In 2017, third-seeded Georgia beat second-seeded Oklahoma 54-48 in 2OT in the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game and then fell to 4th-seeded Alabama in overtime at the National Championship Game 26-23.
Georgia-Alabama Series History
Alabama leads the all-time series with Georgia 42-25-4. Georgia won the first meeting, coming in 1895, with a 30-6 triumph in Columbus. The Crimson Tide have won the past seven meetings, including this year’s SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. The last time Georgia faced a top-ranked Alabama squad was the 2018 SEC Championship Game when the No. 4 Bulldogs fell 35-28 in Atlanta.
Salute To The Seniors
The 2021 Bulldog seniors will be playing their 15th game of this season in the CFP National Championship. They enter the matchup with a 44-8 record, which ties for the most wins for a Georgia class. Forty-four victories has been done now four times, including 2005 (44-9), 2019 (44-12) and 2020 (44-9). This current group of Bulldogs has won three SEC Eastern Division crowns, and won the 2020 Allstate Sugar Bowl, the 2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the 2021 CFP Semifinal Capital One Orange Bowl. Georgia’s most decorated senior class came in 1983 as it went 43-4-1, winning the 1980 national championship and three SEC titles (1980-82).
Aiming For 14
This season marked the first time since 1980 that the Bulldogs went 12-0 during the regular season. Georgia became only the fourth team in school history to finish a regular season undefeated and untied with double-digit victories (1946, 1980, 1982). Prior to this season, Vince Dooley’s 1980 consensus national champions was the last Georgia squad to go 12-0 after defeating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. The school record for wins in a season is 13, and that’s been done three times (2002 under Mark Richt, 2017 & 2021 under Kirby Smart). Mark Richt’s 2002 squad went 13-1, including wins in the SEC Championship Game and Sugar Bowl, and finished ranked No. 3. Smart’s 2017 team beat Auburn for the league title, Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl Game/CFP Semifinal, and then lost in overtime to Alabama in the CFP National Championship to finish 13-2. The Bulldogs had a final ranking of No. 2.
Dominating Defense & Offense Delivering Points
Georgia leads the nation in Scoring Defense giving up just 9.6 points per game. The Bulldogs are averaging 39.0 points per game, which is ranked ninth nationally. The defense has allowed an FBS low 12 touchdowns while the unit has scored three TDs. The defense did not allow a touchdown until the third game of the season. Georgia opponents have scored only 135 points in 2021. Texas A&M’s opponents have the next fewest points in the FBS at 191.
Bulldogs Reap Rewards from Historic Season
On Dec. 9, senior tackle Jordan Davis won the Outland Trophy, which goes annually to the nation’s top interior lineman, and the Bednarik Award, which goes each year to the country’s top defensive player. Also this year, junior Nakobe Dean won the Butkus Award, which is given to college football’s top linebacker each season. Both Davis and Dean were two of the three SEC players named unanimous All-Americans. Alabama’s Will Anderson was the third. Junior safety Lewis Cine and freshman tight end Brock Bowers were also included as First Team All-Americans this season.
Bulldogs Extend Nation’s Longest Active Bowl Streak
The Bulldogs rank second nationally with 58 bowl appearances. Georgia’s latest bowl win over No. 2 Michigan in the CFP Semifinal Capital One Orange Bowl was its 25th consecutive appearance, which is the nation’s longest active bowl streak. In school history, Georgia owns a 34-21-3 record in bowl games.
Bennett 13-3 As A Starter at Georgia
* Senior Stetson Bennett, a native of Blackshear, Ga., who was a Burlsworth Trophy finalist, began his career with the Bulldogs as a walk-on in 2017 when he was redshirted. Bennett transferred to Jones College (Miss.) where he started in 2018 and then returned to the Bulldogs on scholarship in 2019. He saw action that season in five games including throwing passes in four of them. In 2020, he started five games.
* In his Bulldog career, Bennett is 13-3 as a starter and has completed 61.9 percent of his passes (274-for-443, 4077 yards, 37 TDs, 14 INTs). Also, he has 70 rushing attempts for 314 yards and four scores.
* In 2021, Bennett has played in 13 games (10-1 as a starter) and is 168-for261 (64.4%) for 2,638 yards with 27 TDs and seven INTs. He has 48 carries for 283 yards.
* He ranks fourth nationally in Passing Efficiency (176.8). The single-season school record in that category belongs to Aaron Murray at 174.8 in 2012.
* JT Daniels started the season behind center but was sidelined versus UAB due to a lat injury. Bennett stepped in and started that game. Daniels returned against South Carolina and then left the Vanderbilt game after the first quarter with an aggravation of his injury. Bennett played most of the Vanderbilt game and then has served as the starter since the Oct. 2 win over No. 8 Arkansas.
* Bennett helped Georgia complete a historic 8-0 SEC regular season and its first undefeated regular season since 1982.
* Bennett was named the Offensive MVP of the Orange Bowl/CFP Semifinal win over No. 2 Michigan. He completed 20 of his 30 attempts for 313 yards and three touchdowns against the highly-touted Wolverine defense, including Heisman Trophy runner-up Aiden Hutchinson.
* Bennett posted career highs in completions (29), yards (340) and attempts (48) and threw for three touchdowns against No. 4 Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
* Bennett opened up the CFP Semifinal Orange Bowl going 9-for-9 for 92 yards and a touchdown, completing passes to five separate receivers. On a related note, in the games against Georgia Tech and Alabama, his first nine completions went to nine different receivers
Daniels 7-0 As A Starter at Georgia, 13-6 Overall
* JT Daniels, an Irvine, Calif., native, served as UGA’s starting QB from game seven of the 2020 campaign through the 2021 opener.
* Daniels did not play against UAB due to a lat injury as Stetson Bennett got the start in a 56-7 win. Daniels returned against South Carolina and played only in the first quarter against Vanderbilt during those Bulldog wins. He returned in the third quarter versus Missouri on Nov. 6 and was 7-for-11 for 82 yards and a TD with one INT.
A Look At The Offensive Line
* Senior Jamaree Salyer (LT), junior Warren Ericson (LG), redshirt freshman Sedrick Van Pran (C), fifth-year senior Justin Shaffer (RG) and redshirt sophomore Warren McClendon (RT) comprised the starting lineup for a seven-game stretch until the Missouri game on Nov. 6. Then, redshirt freshman Broderick Jones filled in for Salyer for four games after a foot injury. Salyer, who was named to the Walter Camp All-America Second Team, returned to the lineup against No. 4 Alabama. In the season opener versus No. 3 Clemson, redshirt freshman Tate Ratledge started at left guard, but a foot injury he sustained on the game’s first series has kept the Rome, Ga., native out of action since.
* The unit has allowed only 11 sacks this year. That leads the SEC and ranks second nationally.
* The Bulldog offensive line paved the way for five straight scores to start the Orange Bowl in building a 27-3 halftime lead. The unit did not allow a sack to the Wolverine defense, including Heisman Trophy runner-up Aiden Hutchinson, who ranked second nationally in sacks before the game. The Bulldogs finished with 521 yards of total offense, averaging 7.9 yards per play.
* Georgia focused on the rushing game versus No. 8 Arkansas and finished with 56 attempts for 273 yards (4.9 yards/rush) and three touchdowns. This was the most rushing attempts in a game during the Kirby Smart era.
* At No. 18 Auburn, the Bulldogs’ rushing attack picked up steam in the second half, gaining 165 yards to finish with 201 in the 34-10 win. Jones also filled in at LT in this game after Salyer went down with an ankle injury.
Ton Of Targets
* After starting the season thin at receiver, the Bulldogs have nearly returned all at the position back to action.
* The Bulldogs spread the ball around, including 11 different receivers hauling in passes against #4 UA and nine catching balls versus #2 UM.
* Prior to the victory over Missouri in Game 9, Georgia relied mostly on freshman TE Brock Bowers, junior Kearis Jackson, redshirt freshman Ladd McConkey and freshman AD Mitchell.
* Georgia’s leading receivers have been freshmen Bowers (52 rec., 846 yds., 12 TDs), McConkey (30-444-5) and Mitchell (27-376-3), in addition to sophomore Burton (24-469-5).
* George Pickens, the Bulldogs’ top returning receiver, injured his knee during spring practice and missed the first 11 games of the 2021 season. He made his 2021 debut against Georgia Tech, with one catch against the Jackets, and then had a pair of catches for 41 yards in the SEC Championship Game.
* Jackson accounted for 97 all-purpose yards in the rout over Florida. He had a team-leading three catches for 59 yards and a touchdown while also taking care of return duties with a total of two returns. His 36-yard touchdown catch (his first of the year) before halftime put the Bulldogs up 17-0.
* During the victory at No. 18 Auburn, McConkey hauled in a career-high five catches for 135 yards and a career-long 60-yard touchdown. He became the third Bulldog this year to have a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game during the win at Vanderbilt. Both he and Bowers accomplished the feat versus the Commodores while senior RB James Cook did it against South Carolina and at Tennessee.
* Cook, who has 25 catches for 269 yards and four touchdowns this year, tallied a team-best 147 all-purpose yards in the win at UT and 144 versus #2 Michigan in the Orange Bowl, including a 39-yard touchdown catch.
Camarda Leads One of Nation’s Top Punting Units
* Senior Jake Camarda is arguably the most valuable special teams player among all Bulldogs this season, as he has for nearly all of his four years. Since his collegiate debut in 2018, the Norcross, Ga., native has handled all punting duties and has also served as the holder on 315 consecutive placement kicks. On top of that, Camarda has also handled kickoff duties almost exclusively since the fourth game of the 2020 season.
* Camarda is closing in on the school record for career punting average. His current average of 45.8 yards per punt betters 2009 Ray Guy Award winner Drew Butler, who owns the Bulldog record with a 45.4 mark. This year, Camarda is averaging 47.0 yards/punt, having placed 15 inside in the 20 and 16 have been 50+.
* Camarda was the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year last season and was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award. He posted an SEC-best 46.6 average that ranked fourth in the country and was named a FWAA Second-Team All-American. Camarda was a preseason All-American at his position in 2021.
“Jack-Pod”
* For his career, junior PK Jack Podlesny is 33-for-41 on field goals and 106-for-107 on PATs. This year, he is 20-for-25 on FGs and 68-for-69 on PATs. Podlesny capped last season by earning Offensive MVP honors at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. In the 24-21 win over #8 Cincinnati, Podlesny accounted for 10 points, including the game-winning 53-yard FG with three seconds remaining.
* Georgia entered the 2021 season with the NCAA record for Consecutive PATs Made. The streak ended with a miss versus No. 11 Kentucky at 363 and involved six kickers (Marshall Morgan, Patrick Beless, William Ham, David Marvin, Rodrigo Blankenship and Podlesny). The streak dated back to 2014.
* Georgia’s snappers this year include returning starters junior Payne Walker and redshirt sophomore William Mote. Walker snaps on field goals and PATs, while Mote handles the snaps for punts.
Dominant ‘D’
* Georgia’s opponents in the regular season scored only 83 points.
* Georgia has held 11 of its opponents to a season low in points with USC (13), UT (17) and UA (41) the only exceptions.
* Georgia is the only FBS team to hold opposing offenses out of the end zone in six games this season.
* No. 2 Michigan’s 11 points were the fewest the unit scored all year.
* No. 3 Clemson’s three points were the fewest in the Dabo Swinney era and lowest since 2007 against Georgia Tech, a 13-3 loss under Tommy Bowden.
* No. 11 Arkansas was shut out for the first time since 2018.
Playmakers In The Secondary
* While some may refer to Georgia as “RBU,” one could make a case for “DBU” with the recent Bulldogs now in the NFL, including four who were drafted last season (Eric Stokes, 1st Round, Green Bay; Tyson Campbell, 2nd Round, Jacksonville; Richard LeCounte, 5th round, Cleveland; Mark Webb, 7th round, L.A. Chargers).
* Junior safety Lewis Cine ranks second on the team lead with 66 tackles. Cine had five stops in the win over No. 2 Michigan.
* Former All-ACC First Team selection Derion Kendrick (Clemson) has started all 14 games with 38 stops and a team-high four picks. He had five tackles and two interceptions to earn Defensive MVP honors in the Orange Bowl victory over No. 2 Michigan.
* Christopher Smith scored the only TD in the win over No. 3 Clemson on a 74-yard interception return (the first pick of his career). He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors after that. Smith returned to action versus No. 4 Alabama after missing the previous two games with an injury.
* Redshirt freshman Kelee Ringo seniors William Poole and Latavious Brini are manning the cornerback spots for the Bulldogs this season.
* Walk-on redshirt sophomore Dan Jackson got his first start versus No. 11 Kentucky while Smith was out with a shoulder injury. During the 37-0 win over No. 8 Arkansas, he blocked a punt in the first quarter that was recovered by Zamir White in the end zone for a touchdown to put Georgia up 21-0.
Making An Impact Up Front
* Outland Trophy and Bednarik Award winner Jordan Davis joins fifth-year Devonte Wyatt and sophomore Jalen Carter as the veterans in the center of the defensive line. Davis was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, joining teammate Nakobe Dean on the 2021 Waler Camp All-America First Team. This season Davis, Wyatt and Carter have tallied 20 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one blocked FG, a blocked PAT, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Davis scored his first career touchdown on a carry from the 1-yard line against CSU.
* In the Orange Bowl victory over #2 Michigan, the trio combined for six tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.
* Davis, Wyatt and Carter burst onto the national scene in the opener versus No. 3 Clemson. The trio combined for eight tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks, and a pass breakup.
* The trio is joined by versatile junior Travon Walker who has started all 14 games. Walker has 34 stops, 6.5 TFLs, five sacks and a team-high 29 QB hurries.
Bulldog Backers Flying Around
* Junior Nakobe Dean leads the team in tackles with 68 and won this year’s Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. The 2021 Wuerffel Trophy finalist became only the third Butkus “double crown” winner after also collecting the 2018 high school honor. In addition, Dean was named the captain of this year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works Team thanks to the fan vote and his dedication to the community.
* Dean is the leader of the 2021 defense. He helped stifle the Michigan offense in the Capital One Orange Bowl with seven stops, including two tackles for loss and a sack, and forced a fumble.
* Dean had seven tackles and returned his second career interception 50 yards for a touchdown against Florida. The pick-six capped a flurry of big plays by the Bulldogs who scored 21 points in a span of two minutes and nine seconds to build a 24-0 halftime advantage. Georgia scored three touchdowns off three turnovers and needed just two offensive plays.
* Senior Quay Walker ranks third on the team with 59 tackles. He had six in the recent victory over No. 2 Michigan and posted a career-high 13 stops against the Gators.
* Junior Nolan Smith is one of two linebackers on the outside. He led the Bulldogs with eight tackles in the CFP Semifinal to go along with a sack and a forced fumble. Smith has 49 stops and seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks to go along with a blocked punt versus Missouri.
* Smith finished with four stops, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and his first career interception during the win over Florida and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
* Senior ILB Channing Tindall is tied for third on the team in tackles with 59. He earned Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week honors on Nov. 14 after his game at Tennessee (eight tackles, three sacks, forced fumble).
Bulldogs Lead Nation In Scoring Defense
Since the arrival of Kirby Smart in 2016, the Bulldogs have featured talented defenses, and the 2021 edition could be the best one yet. From 2016- 2018, Mel Tucker served as the defensive coordinator before leaving to take the head coaching job at Colorado (now at Michigan St.). Dan Lanning is in his fourth year at UGA (2018, OLB coach), including his third season as the Fain and Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator.
Alabama Crimson Tide Notes
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: 72nd meeting (Alabama leads, 42-25-4) In Championship Games (SEC/CFP): Alabama leads, 4-0
Current Streak: Alabama, Won 7
Last Meeting: Dec. 4, 2021 (W, 41-24)
Series Notes: Alabama and Georgia will meet for the 72nd time in series history and the second time this season when the two teams square off on Monday night in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. The Crimson Tide holds a 42-25-4 series advantage and is currently riding a seven-game winning streak against the Bulldogs, a stretch that includes three SEC Championship wins and one CFP victory. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 9-2 all-time against Georgia, including a 7-1 mark at UA. Kirby Smart is 0-4 in his career against Alabama.
COTTON BOWL CHAMPIONS: No. 1/1/1 Alabama defeated No. 4/4/4 Cincinnati, 27-6, in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The win advanced the Crimson Tide to the CFP National Championship for the sixth time in the last seven seasons and moved UA’s CFP Semifinal record to 6-1 overall. It was also Alabama’s 41st bowl victory, the most by any program in college football history,
ALABAMA WINS 29th SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: With its 41-24 win over then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia in the 2021 Southeastern Conference Championship Game on Dec. 4, Alabama captured its 29th SEC title. The Crimson Tide has now won seven of the last 10 league crowns (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021) and is unbeaten in its last eight SEC Championship Game appearances (2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021).
SEC WESTERN DIVISION TITLE: Alabama’s 42-35 win against then-No. 25/21/22 Arkansas on Nov. 20 clinched the program’s 16th SEC Western Division title (14th outright). The Crimson Tide represented the Western Division against SEC Eastern Division champion Georgia in the 2021 SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, defeating the Bulldogs, 41-24. The appearance in Atlanta marked Alabama’s 14th in the SEC Championship Game with the Crimson Tide holding a record of 10-4 across that stretch, including an 8-1 record in the SEC Championship Game under head coach Nick Saban.
MAKING IT TO 13: Alabama’s 27-6 victory over No. 4/4/4 Cincinnati in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Clasisc on Dec. 31 was UA’s 13th win on the season. With the win over the Bearcats, the Crimson Tide reached the 13-win milestone for the ninth time in school history. The nine seasons of at least 13 wins are the most by any school in Football Bowl Subdivision records. Alabama finished 14-0 in 2009; 13-1 in 2012 and 2017; 14-1 in 2015, 2016 and 2018; and wrapped up the 2020 campaign at 13-0 to match the 1992 squad. The Crimson Tide enters the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship with a 13-1 overall mark.
THE 12-WIN CLUB: With its 41-24 win over then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia in the 2021 Southeastern Conference Championship Game on Dec. 4, Alabama reached the 12-win mark for the 11th time in the last 14 seasons under head coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide also reached the 12-win plateau in 2008 (12), 2009 (14), 2011 (12), 2012 (13), 2014 (12), 2015 (14), 2016 (14), 2017 (13), 2018 (14), 2020 (13) and 2021. Across those 11 seasons with 12-or-more wins, Alabama has won eight Southeastern Conference titles and six national championships, including three College Football Playoff national titles in 2015, 2017 and 2020.
TIDE REACHES 11 WINS FOR THE 25TH TIME: With the win at Auburn on Nov. 27 to close out the 2021 regular season, Alabama secured its 11th victory of the year, marking the 25th time in program history that the Tide has achieved the feat. Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has had 13 11-win seasons (2008-09, 2011-21). It is the 11th straight season with at least 11 wins, which is the longest streak of its kind in SEC history. The SEC has had three streaks of three seasons with at least 11 victories, including Alabama from 1973-75, LSU from 2005-07 and South Carolina from 2011-13.
SEC RECORD FOR 10-WIN SEASONS: Alabama extended its record for most consecutive 10-win seasons in SEC history to 14 when it defeated then-No. 25/21/22 Arkansas on Nov. 20 in Tuscaloosa. It ties Florida State and head coach Bobby Bowden for the longest such record in college football history. In the Tide’s previous 10-plus win seasons, UA finished with a 12-2 record in 2008 and 2014; 14-0 in 2009; 10-3 in 2010; 12-1 in 2011; 13-1 in 2012 and 2017; 11-2 in 2013 and 2019; 14-1 in 2015, 2016 and 2018; and a perfect 13-0 in 2020.
EASTERN STREAK: Alabama’s 41-24 win over then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia in the 2021 SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4 was the Crimson Tide’s 34th consecutive victory over an SEC Eastern Division opponent, dating back to a 35-21 loss at then-No. 19 South Carolina on Oct. 9, 2010. The 34 wins include a 7-0 record in SEC Championship Games. During the current run, the Tide is 12-0 vs. Tennessee; 6-0 vs. Florida (3-0 in SEC CG) and vs. Georgia (3-0 in SEC CG, 1-0 in CFP NCG); 4-0 vs. Missouri (1-0 in SEC CG); 3-0 vs. Kentucky; 2-0 vs. Vanderbilt; and 1-0 vs. South Carolina. Overall under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 44-3 (.936) against the SEC East, including a 8-1 (.889) record in the SEC Championship Game.
SABAN VS. FORMER ASSISTANTS: Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 25-1 all-time against his former staffers during his tenure at the Capstone. The Crimson Tide head coach’s most wins against a former assistant is four, which have come against Kirby Smart (4-0) and Jimbo Fisher (4-1).
NEUTRAL SITES: Alabama is 97-50-4 (.656) all-time in 151 neutral site contests. The list includes all Alabama-Auburn games not played on campus, including Legion Field from 1948-88. Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 29-6 (.829) in neutral site games. Alabama is 3-0 in neutral site games this season, most recently taking down No. 4/4/4 Cincinnati, 27-6, in Arlington, Texas, for the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Prior to the win over the Bearcats, the Tide defeated then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia, 41-24, on Dec. 4 after previously beating then-No-14/16 Miami, 44-13, on Sept. 4, both at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alabama’s last loss at a neutral site came at the hands of Clemson in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Santa Clara, Calif.
DOME SWEET DOME: The Crimson Tide is 33-7-1 (.817) all-time in domed stadiums, including a 24-2 (.923) mark since 2009, and is 25-4 (.862) during Nick Saban’s tenure. Alabama is 2-0 inside a dome this season, most recently claiming a 27-6 win over No. 4/4/4 Cincinnati inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31. Prior to the win over UC, the Crimson Tide took down then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia in the 2021 SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4 inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The Crimson Tide’s win over then-No. 14/16 Miami in the 2021 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Sept. 4 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is not included because the roof was open.
BEATING THE BEST: The Crimson Tide is 72-17 (.809) against the Associated Press Top 25 since the start of 2008. Alabama is 6-0 against AP Top 25 teams this season, including a 44-13 win against then-No. 14 Miami on Sept. 4; a 31-29 triumph at then-No. 11 Florida on Sept. 18; a 42-21 win over then-No. 12 Ole Miss on Oct. 2; a 42-35 win against then-No. 21 Arkansas on Nov. 20; and a 41-24 victory over then-No. 1 Georgia at the 2021 SEC Championship Game. The Tide’s most recent win over an AP Top 25 opponent came on Dec. 31 against No. 4 Cincinnati in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with UA claiming a 27-6 victory over the Bearcats.
SABAN vs. AP TOP 25: The Crimson Tide’s 27-6 win over then-No. 4 Cincinnati on Dec. 31 was Nick Saban’s 96th career win, and 73rd at Alabama, against the Associated Press Top 25. Saban moved past Joe Paterno (86) for the most career wins against the AP Top 25 when he defeated then-No. 22 Auburn on Nov. 28, 2020. The late Florida State legend Bobby Bowden ranks third all-time (82), while Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant is fourth (66). Former Duke, Florida and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is fifth (64). Saban’s winning percentage against AP ranked teams (96-42, .696) tops Bryant (.592), Bowden (.557), Spurrier (.529) and Paterno (.512).
DOMINATING THE AP TOP 25: Alabama’s season-opening win over then-No. 14 Miami in the 2021 Chickfil-A Kickoff Game was head Coach Nick Saban’s 22nd career win by 25-plus points against a ranked opponent. Saban is the all-time leader for the most wins by 25-plus points in the Associated Press Poll era (since 1936), passing Bobby Bowden’s previous record of 20. Saban is also the NCAA record holder with 24 career wins of 20- plus points against AP top-15 opponents, including Alabama’s 27-6 win against No. 4 Cincinnati in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31. An astounding 21 of Saban’s 24 career 20-plus point wins against AP top-15 opponents have come at the Capstone.
AGAINST THE TOP 10: Alabama owns an 84-77-1 all-time record against teams ranked in the top-10 of the Associated Press Poll. Since the start of the 2008 season, the Crimson Tide has posted a 35-11 (.761) overall record against top-10 teams, including a 20-5 (.800) mark versus the top 10 since the inception of the College Football Playoff. In Saban’s six national championship seasons at Alabama, his teams have gone 18-2 (.900) against top-10 opponents.
SABAN LEADS IN WINS VS. TOP-FIVE TEAMS: Alabama’s 27-6 win over No. 4 Cincinnati in the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31 was Nick Saban’s 29th career victory against a team ranked in the top five of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, the most in college football history. Saban’s 29-14 career record in top-five contests gives him a .674 winning percentage, which is also college football’s best. Following Saban on the all-time victory list are Bobby Bowden (18/.378 winning percentage), Barry Switzer (15/.516), Woody Hayes (15/.516), Steve Spurrier (15/.429) and Lou Holtz (15/.419). Saban’s record includes nine wins in the College Football Playoff: No. 3 Michigan State (38-0) and No. 1 Clemson (45-40) in 2015; No. 4 Washington (24-7) in 2016; No. 1 Clemson (24-6) and No. 3 Georgia (26-23) in 2017; No. 4 Oklahoma (45-34) in 2018; No. 4 Notre Dame (31-14) and No. 3 Ohio State (52-24) in 2020; and No. 4 Cincinnati (27-6) in 2021. Alabama also went 3-0 in BCS National Championship Games (vs. Texas, 37-21, 2009; vs. LSU, 21-0, 2011; vs. Notre Dame, 42-14, 2012).
NON-OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS IN THE SABAN ERA: Alabama recorded its 86th non-offensive touchdown in the Nick Saban era on Dec. 4 when Jordan Battle returned an interception 42 yards for a score against then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia in the 2021 SEC Championship Game. It marked his second touchdown of the season and the third pick-six of his career. Battle’s pick-six was also the Crimson Tide’s sixth non-offensive touchdown of the season, moving past last season’s total of five across 13 games. Since Saban’s arrival in 2007, no team in college football has totaled more non-offensive scores than the Crimson Tide. During Saban’s tenure, Alabama recorded a single-season record 15 in 2016, which led the Football Bowl Subdivision and was the most in a season by any FBS team in the last 20 years. The Crimson Tide also scored a non-offensive touchdown in 10 consecutive games dating from to the CFP Semifinal against Michigan State on Dec. 31, 2015 to the Texas A&M game on Oct. 22, 2016 for 14 non-offensive touchdowns in that span – four interceptions, four punt returns, five fumble recoveries and a kickoff return.
ALABAMA BOASTS EFFICIENCY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL: Alabama is one of only two teams in college football to rank in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The Crimson Tide has the third-most efficient offensive team nationally, according to ESPN, while the defense ranks fifth. Alabama is second in overall efficiency at 89.0 percent. Georgia joins the Tide in the top five of both with the top-ranked defense and the No. 2 overall offense. The Bulldogs hold the top spot for overall efficiency at 95.9.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
FIRST 14 STARTS AT QB: Bryce Young took over the reins at quarterback for the Crimson Tide in 2021 and has excelled since day one. Young is completing 67.6 percent of his passes (331-490) for 4,503 yards with 46 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. He is second nationally in passing touchdowns (46), while ranking third in points responsible for (302) and passing yards (4,503), and fifth in passing efficiency (173.7) entering the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship. Through the first 14 starts of his career, his numbers rank right alongside the Tide’s past three signal-callers in their first 14 starts for the Crimson Tide. All three are now starting in the NFL.
BRYCE AGAINST THE BEST: Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young has elevated his game each time a ranked team has appeared on the Crimson Tide’s schedule. In five games against teams ranked in the current College Football Playoff Top 25, Young has posted an NCAA passer rating of 170.73 with an NFL rating of 118.37. He has thrown for 1,771 yards in those five games, which averages out to 354.2 yards per game, with 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Young has averaged 9.5 yards per attempt in those five games while completing 65.6 percent of his passes (122-186).
YOUNG RANKS HIGH WITH PFF: Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young is the No. 1 rated quarterback nationally by Pro Football Focus with an offensive grade of 92.7 heading into the CFP National Championship Game. His passing grade of 92.6 also leads the country, while he owns the fourth-best adjusted completion percentage of 79.0, which accounts for dropped passes. His NFL passer rating of 122.3 is third in college football while his adjusted completion percentage under pressure (66.7 percent) ranks fourth overall and first in the Power Five. Young’s 16 touchdowns passes while pressured leads the nation and are five more than any quarterback.
BETTER ON 3RD DOWN: Alabama sophomore quarterback Bryce Young has been fantastic on third down in his first season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. He is completing 70.2 percent of his third down pass attempts (85-121) for 1,367 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. Young has converted first downs on 67 of those 121 third-down tries (55.4 percent), while he boasts a passer efficiency rating of 195.06 (NCAA) and 129.05 (NFL) on third down. In all, Young has guided the Alabama offense to the No. 2 third-down conversion percentage in the nation (53.8 percent) through 14 games.
BRYCE AGAINST THE BEST DEFENSES: Bryce Young’s passing numbers have come against some of the best pass defenses in the nation. In six games against the nation’s top 50 pass defenses (then-No. 2 Georgia, then-No. 2 Cincinnati, then-No. 9 Texas A&M, then-No. 39 Florida, then-No. 40 Ole Miss, then-No. 50 Tennessee), Young has accounted for 1,823 yards (303.8 ypg), 16 touchdowns, just three interceptions and a completion percentage of 64.3.
226 PASSES WITHOUT A PICK: Bryce Young attempted 226 passes without an interception before his third-quarter turnover at Auburn on Nov. 27. That is the second-longest streak in school history, trailing only AJ McCarron’s 291 straight in 2011-12. Young’s streak dated back to his first pass of the second quarter against Texas A&M on Oct. 9. During his 226-pass streak, Young completed 155-of-226 passes (68.6 percent) for 2,195 yards and 20 touchdowns. He maintained a 179.37 NCAA passer rating and a 129.2 NFL rating during the streak.
30-OR-MORE IN 34 STRAIGHT: Alabama set the all-time FBS record for scoring at least 30 points in consecutive games with 34 following the Tide’s 52-24 win against Tennessee on Oct. 23. The streak started with a 42-3 triumph over Duke on Aug. 31, 2019 and ended with a 20-14 win against LSU on Nov. 6, 2021. UCF previously held the record of scoring 30-or-more points in 31 straight games from 2017-19. UA has scored 30-or-more points in 42 of 46 games, dating back to the 2018 season.
40-OR-MORE SINCE 2018: Alabama has scored 40-or-more points on 40 occasions in the last 55 games. Forty leads the nation for scoring 40-or-more points since the start of the 2018 season. Ohio State has the second-most instances of scoring 40-or-more points in that time frame (32 of 50), while Oklahoma follows in third (30 of 52) entering the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Scoring 40-or-More Points Since 2018
Team 40-or-More Points/Total Games Percent
1. ALABAMA 40/55 72.72%
2. Ohio State 32/50 64.00%
3. Oklahoma 30/52 57.69%
4. Clemson 30/54 55.56%
5. UCF 23/48 47.91%
OPENING DRIVE TOUCHDOWNS: The Crimson Tide has won 48 of its last 49 games when scoring a touchdown on the first offensive possession of the game, thanks to Slade Bolden’s eight-yard touchdown reception against No. 4/4/4 Cincinnati on Dec. 31. The Tide’s lone loss when scoring on the opening drive during that stretch came at Texas A&M on Oct. 9.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES: Alabama extended its school record for consecutive games with a score to 282 against No. 4/4/4 Cincinnati on Dec. 31, thanks to Bryce Young’s eight-yard touchdown pass to Slade Bolden on the first possession in CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The Tide was last held off the scoreboard in a 9-0 loss to Auburn on Nov. 18, 2000. Alabama owns a 226-56 (.801) record over the course of the current streak.
BALL PROTECTION: In the last 194 games, dating back to the start of the 2008 season, Alabama has turned the ball over only 204 times (112 fumbles, 92 interceptions) for 1.05 turnovers per game. Since 2009, the Tide has turned the ball over only 186 times in 180 games (1.03/game). The 186 turnovers since 2009 includes 74 interceptions in 4,776 attempts (1 INT every 64.5 attempts) by UA starting quarterbacks and 31 lost fumbles in 4,834 carries (one fumble lost every 155.9 carries) by the Tide’s top two running backs.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
HOLDING OPPONENTS UNDER 200: Auburn’s 159 yards of total offense on Nov. 27 of this season marked the 55th time in the last 193 games under Nick Saban (since the start of the 2008 season) that the Crimson Tide defense has held the opposition to fewer than 200 yards of total offense.
HARD TO FIND THE END ZONE AGAINST THE TIDE: Since the start of the 2009 season, no team has allowed fewer touchdowns than the Crimson Tide. Alabama has surrendered only 305 touchdowns over the last 180 games. That is 56 fewer than the second most in the nation (Wisconsin with 361) entering the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship.
DON’T CROSS THE LINE: The Alabama defense has picked up steam heading into the postseason, recording double-digit tackles for loss in three of the last five games to push the team total to 114.0 (-495 yards) on the season. Alabama ranks third nationally and first in the SEC in TFL per game with 8.0. The Tide produced 12.0 tackles for loss (-44 yards) against New Mexico State on Nov. 13 and followed that up a week later with 10.0 TFLs (-41 yards) against then-No. 25/21/22 Arkansas. In the Iron Bowl matchup with Auburn on Nov. 27, Alabama logged a season-high 15.0 tackles for loss (-70 yards), the most in a single game in program history since at least 1998. The next closest was when the Crimson Tide recorded 14.0 tackles for loss against Ole Miss on Oct. 15, 2011. Since 2007, the Crimson Tide defense has produced five seasons that featured at least three games with double-digit tackles for loss, including 2011 (four times), 2015 (three times), 2016 (three times), 2018 (five times) and the 2021 campaign (three times).
TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS: Alabama has forced at least one turnover in 91 of the last 99 contests dating back to the start of the 2015 season. During the current run, Alabama has forced 162 turnovers (106 interceptions, 56 fumbles) and returned 38 of those miscues for touchdowns. The Crimson Tide ranks 37th nationally and second in the Southeastern Conference in turnovers gained
with 20 this season. UA is also 18th nationally and ranks first in the conference for turnover margin at plus .64.
SHUTOUTS SINCE 2007: Since head coach Nick Saban arrived in 2007, Alabama has recorded 24 shutouts, including 12 in Southeastern Conference play. With its 41-0 win over Mississippi State on Halloween night of last season, the Crimson Tide defense has 10 more shutouts than its nearest competitor over that span. Ranking second in shutouts during that time is Ohio State with 14.
TOUGH SLEDDING ON THE GROUND: Alabama’s defense has been a force in the run game since head coach Nick Saban’s arrival on campus. More recently, the Crimson Tide has given up just 64 rushing scores in the last 99 games, dating to the start of the 2015 season. The Crimson Tide allowed 11 rushing touchdowns in 2018 after allowing only nine rushing touchdowns in 2017. The Tide defense led the nation in 2016 with five rushing touchdowns allowed, one year after giving up just seven rushing scores through 15 games in 2015, the second-lowest total in the country. Since Saban arrived in 2007, the Crimson Tide has allowed 122 rushing touchdowns. Iowa is No. 2 in that category, giving up 168 since 2007, followed by Utah at 180, and Ohio State, who ranks fourth, at 185. TCU (213) rounds out the group at No. 5.
RUSHING DEFENSE: UA has surrendered only 29 individual 100-yard rushing performances dating back to the 2005 season, a mark that is the fewest in the nation. Since head coach Nick Saban’s arrival in 2007, the Tide has allowed 24 players to rush for more than 100 yards in a game.
10 POINTS OR LESS: Alabama’s trademark has been its defense ever since head coach Nick Saban’s arrival on campus in 2007. Since that first season in Tuscaloosa, Saban-coached defenses have held the Crimson Tide’s opponents to 10 points or less on 97 occasions. Dating back to the start of the 2015 season, UA’s defense has limited the opposition to 10 or fewer points 41 times across 99 total contests.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
SCOOP AND SCORE: Alabama recorded its 84th non-offensive touchdown in the Nick Saban era against Texas A&M on Oct. 9, when King Mwikuta recovered a blocked punt in the Aggies end zone, thanks to Ja’Corey Brooks’ block. It marked Mwikuta’s first career touchdown and the Crimson Tide’s second blocked punt return for a touchdown in 2021. Jase McClellan scored the season’s first on a 33-yard blocked punt by linebacker Chris Braswell in the home opener against Mercer on Sept. 11.
GETTING TO THE PUNTER: The Crimson Tide’s punt return unit has been effective at getting to the opposing punter this season. Through 14 games, Alabama has blocked three punts, returning one of those for a score. The three blocked punts is the most since the 2019 squad recorded three over the 13-game season.
TWO FOR NO. 1: Jameson Williams recorded two touchdowns off a pair of kickoff returns against Southern Miss on Sept. 25, marking the first time any Alabama player has ever scored on two kickoff returns in a single game. Williams’ first kickoff return for a touchdown, which happened on the game’s opening kickoff, went for 100 yards to mark the eighth 100-yard kickoff return in program history. Tyrone Prothro was the latest Crimson Tide player to record a 100-yard kickoff return (at Kentucky on Oct. 9, 2004), while Gary Martin was the last Alabama player to record a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening drive (at Miami on Dec. 7, 1963). Williams’ two kickoff returns marked Alabama’s 27th and 28th kickoff returns for touchdown in school history. Jaylen Waddle was the last Alabama player to record a kickoff return for a touchdown when he did so at Auburn on Nov. 20, 2019 (98 yards). Williams’ couple of scores marked the seventh and eighth kickoff returns for a touchdown under Saban.
REICHARD FROM 50-PLUS: Will Reichard connected on a 51-yard field goal in the second quarter against then-No. 14/16 Miami on Sept. 4, helping Alabama to a 20-0 lead. It marked the second-longest field goal in his career, only behind his 52-yard field goal made against then-No. 3/3 Georgia on Oct. 17, 2020. With Reichard’s 51-yard field goal in the 2021 season opener, he owns the Crimson Tide’s only two 50-or-more yard field goals since Adam Griffith connected from 50 yards against Auburn on Nov. 28, 2015.
SERIES NOTES
THE ALABAMA-GEORGIA SERIES: Alabama and Georgia will meet for the 72nd time in series history, the second time this season and a second time in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game when the two teams square off on Monday night. The Crimson Tide holds a 42-25-4 all-time advantage and is riding a seven-game winning streak over the Bulldogs. That seven-game streak includes one College Football Playoff National Championship victory and three SEC Championship wins, including this season’s Dec. 4 contest that finished in favor of the Crimson Tide, 41-24. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 9-2 all-time against Georgia, including a 7-1 mark at UA. Former Alabama assistant Kirby Smart is 0-4 against the Crimson Tide
