The year 2010 delivered one of America's great contributions to modern civilization, Hot Tub Time Machine. There is a repetitive theme in the movie, as Lou Dorchen (played by Rob Corddry) is repeatedly humiliated by Blaine (had to double fact check this, but Blaine is played by Romanian actor Sebastian Stan). Very apropos in the context of this week's game, as Blaine sounds and looks like the stereotypical 3rd generation Bama student who loves nothing more than his Bama Bangs and college football. But, I digress.
Lou is pummeled in many ways throughout Hot Tub Time Machine, which is how I felt as a UGA fan when the Dawgs played Alabama from 2008-2022. I was 0-4 when attending the games in person. These were soul crushing losses, including the 2017 national championship (which still hurts), and the infamous blackout game, which was the first SEC home game of my freshman year of college. I also watched the 2012 SEC championship with Kritesh from the parking lot of the Georgia Dome, just a few hundred yards away from the field. Inspired by Lou in Hot Tub Time Machine, I refused to cede to Nick Satan and his evil empire. With the help of my friends, I eventually experienced the long awaited catharsis on the night of January 10th 2022. I'll probably never attend another UGA Alabama game in person, but I've made my peace.
Bill Connelly's post Week 4 SP+ Rankings have the Alabama Rammer Jammers ranked 3rd overall, while your Georgia Bulldogs are ranked 5th. The Dawgs will head to Tuscaloosa in search of their first victory at Bryant-Denney Stadium since 2007 (granted, we have only played there once since 2007). ICYMI, this will be Alabama's first SEC home game with Coach Kalen DeBoer running the show. DeBoer's teams have only lost 12 games in his 10 seasons as a head coach, which is truly insane. This is the most anticipated game so far in the 2024 college football season, and we will see if Kirby vs. DeBoer becomes the hot new coaching rivalry. Longer term, I am interested to see how DeBoer manages to cultivate the relationships that are so critical to recruiting in the South. But that's a conversation for another day.
Dtru's Nickels
Alabama is ranked 1st overall in the 247 Sports College Football Team Talent Composite. To quote the favorite cliché of football coaches throughout America, this matchup is good on good.
Jalen Milroe enters Week 5 with a QBR of 76.2, which is 23rd overall in the country. Milroe is averaging 11.3 yards per attempt through 3 games, and the explosive pass plays continue to be a theme of the offense. For comparison purposes, Carson Beck is averaging 8.3 YPA (down from 9.5 YPA in the 2023 season-- more directly, the numbers show that the UGA passing offense has not been quite as dynamic so far in 2024, which is consistent with the eye test). True freshman Ryan Williams has been the star of the Alabama passing game, averaging over 28 yards per reception. Yes you did read that correctly, 28! Germie Bernard, who followed DeBoer from Washington, has also been a productive option for Milroe. The Dawgs undoubtedly have the best defensive backfield that Alabama will have faced this season (and arguably the best unit in the country). If Daylen Everette, Julian Humphrey, Joenel Aguero, Malaki Starks, and Dan Jackson can limit the explosive passing plays, it will be interesting to see how Alabama adjusts.
Ryan Williams has garnered a lot of the national buzz, and deservedly so. But we can't downplay the Alabama running game, which has also been explosive through 3 games. Worth noting that the Tide have a behemoth offensive line anchored by Tyler Booker, Kayden Proctor, and co. This group has paved the way for Jam Miller (currently averaging 9.1 yards per carry) and Justice Haynes (averaging 8.7 yards per carry). And Milroe's mobility presents another challenge, as we saw in the 2nd half of last year's SEC championship game. The Junkyard Dawgs were plagued by uncharacteristic missed tackles against Kentucky. Can't afford to do that in this game.
Tim Keenan and Tim Smith anchor the interior of the defensive line for Alabama. Former 5 star and #1 ranked player in the country, LT Overton (alum of the esteemed Milton high school program), transferred to Alabama after a few underwhelming seasons at Texas A&M. Overton seems to have established himself in Alabama's rotation, and through 3 games has already matched his sack total (1) from his career in College Station. I have not paid close enough attention to know if Jeheim Oatis has fallen out of the rotation, but I thought he was a rising star after his first 2 seasons in Tuscaloosa. This probably isn't your vintage Saban era Alabama defensive line with several first round draft picks, but don't get it twisted. They still have players, and if some of the early season struggles from the Dawgs OL persist, could be a long day.
I discussed (probably ad nauseam) my thoughts and concerns about the team in the bye week post. I won't go into the extreme details again. The quick version and keys to victory on Saturday include: Dawgs OL and RBs in pass protection; a bold Carson Beck coming to play, and not being gun-shy when it comes time to take shots against a young Alabama secondary that has talent but has not been tested; limiting second chances resulting from missed tackles; maintaining the edges to reduce Milroe's improvisation; and hoping that the bye week was used to scheme opportunities for the talented, but still work-in-progress, Dawgs receiving corps.
Freak of the Week
Sometimes greatness is right before our eyes, yet we don't acknowledge it. Michael Cocca has courageously carried the flag of the Dan Jackson fan club for many years, and Dtru's Dimes thanks Mr. Cocca for his service. Dan Jackson began his career as a walk-on and played a big role on special teams for the Dawgs before cracking the defensive backfield rotation. DJ captured the hearts of Dawg Nation with his kamikaze block, which removed the final obstacle in Kelee Ringo's path as he sealed the Dawgs' first National Championship in 41 years.
Dan was willing to risk CTE for Dawg Nation. Mr. Jackson struggled with injuries in the aftermath of the national championship, and missed most of the 2022 season. Sadly, Dan will be out of eligibility following the 2024 season. But, he will finish his career with at least 2 national championships, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and over 100 tackles, along with eternal glory. We will not cry because it's over. We will smile because it happened.
Go Dawgs!
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