This is an interesting week in the Alabama football orbit. Hunted to hunters, the Crimson Tide find itself the underdog for the first time in six years facing the kind of defense that once defined its style.
On the outside, it’s a discussion about Georgia’s generational defense and if Alabama’s playoff hopes could survive close loss — a bizarro world in any other season. Internally, the Crimson Tide is doing its best to block out even the potentially motivating doubt that’s being cast on its shot at 3 p.m. CT Saturday against top-ranked Georgia in the SEC title game.
There will be no overlooking this test as the Bulldogs enter as unanimous of a No. 1 team as there’s been since, well, Alabama this time last year.
Much of the conversation surrounding Kirby Smart’s best shot at a national title since taking over five years ago involves this defense. It’s allowed just seven touchdowns in the first 12 games when only four opponents reach double figures in the scoring column.
It’s on pace to become the first FBS team to allow less than 10 points a game since the 2011 Alabama defense led by Smart, then the defensive coordinator.
Does that talk of Georgia’s dominant defense inspire Alabama this week?
“What really motivates us is to make sure we come with our ‘A’ game,” left tackle Evan Neal said. “We’re all competitors, man. It’s what it’s all about. You’re the best? OK, let’s line up and go out there and play. That’s what it’s all about.”
Receiver John Metchie was asked specifically about confidence facing a defense that’s allowed 300-plus passing yards just once all season.
“I’m extremely confident,” Metchie said. “I think we’re concerned about ourselves more and playing our best brand of football, knowing that we’re going against a really good defense, but I think for us, it’s just playing our best brand of football.”
Alabama’s defense has run more hot and cold as opposed to the consistency with which Georgia’s played this fall. And while the Bulldogs are top 3 nationally in rushing, passing, total and scoring defense, the Crimson Tide top 20 in every category but defending the pass. Alabama has more sacks and is No. 8 in stuff rate (23.4%) compared to Georgia’s No. 40 (19.8%), according to FootballOutsiders.com.
Tide defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis isn’t worried about his defense being overshadowed by Georgia’s.
“You know, we’re just focusing on going out and doing what we got to do this week to get what we want,” he said. “And that’s just working hard all week long, putting all the pieces to the puzzle together to get what we want.”
Safety Jordan Battle agreed while thinking more about the preparation than the outside attention
“Like last week, we had some great practices and it showed up in the game,” Battle said. “I feel like we have to build on what we did last week and taking it to this week.”
Alabama’s defense wasn’t the issue in a 24-22 overtime win over Auburn that it entered as a 20-point favorite. It limited the Tigers to a season-low 159 yards and 10 regulation-time points on two short drives.
There were considerable offensive issues before halftime in the kind of performance it’ll have a harder time weathering this week.
The 6.5-point underdog status isn’t something Neal is using to light a fire for Georgia.
“It’s not often that Alabama is on the other side of that, but, hey, we have to control what we can control,” Neal said. “We’re approaching this game like any other game. We’re approaching this game with intentions to win.”
In the past, any slights — perceived, contrived or real — would be used as motivation around the football complex. Scott Cochran, the strength coach from 2007-19 who is now a part of Georgia’s staff, was known to post signs around the building to highlight any public doubt placed on Alabama.
“I haven’t seen any signs or anything, not as much,” Neal said. “I don’t feel like being an underdog is motivation. I just feel it’s like us being competitive and us wanting to go out and win, be who we are. I think that’s what motivates us.”
Alabama was last an underdog in 2015 in a game it ultimately beat Georgia, 38-10 in Smart’s last season as defensive coordinator before being hired by his alma mater in Athens.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
