The most anticipated match of the year has kept all its promises!
Respected tradition
The attack wins games but it is the defense that wins titles. This adage often heard when talking regarding American football was confirmed once more during the university final. As a tribute to the famous 9-6 between Alabama and LSU during the 2011 season, this match was dominated by defenders who, like their elders in 2011 (Tyrann Mathieu, Michael Brockers, Dont’a Hightower, CJ Mosley etc) will soon the heyday of NFL franchises.
The movie of the game
Field-goal, punt, punt, punt, punt, field-goal, field-goal, punt etc. Such is the sequence of games during the university final. No the attacks are not atrocious, the defenses are simply monstrous!
We had to wait until the end of the 3rd quarter to finally see a touchdown following a race of Zamir White for Georgia. 13 to 12 for the Bulldogs to start the last quarter. So far, it’s been a festival of defensive pressure, tackles and sacks. Georgia even blocking a field goal attempt by Jalen Carter. And it is following a beautiful defensive action, with a strip sack (forcing the fumble) of Christian Harristhat Alabama was able to recover the ball in a favorable position and finally, in turn, register a touchdown: pass from Bryce Young for the tight end Cameron Latu. The two-point conversion attempt was well defended, a constant in this confrontation. Alabama then led 18-13 with 10 minutes left.
In turn, Georgia decides to hit hard with a 40-yard pass from Stetson Bennett for the receiver Adonai Mitchell. And of course, the 2-point conversion attempt was thwarted by excellent defense from the pass rusher Dallas Turner : 19-18 for Georgia with 8 minutes remaining on the clock.
TD GEORGIA !
What a response from QB Stetson Bennett IV!
The Dawgs quarterback throws a bomb towards WR Adonai Mitchell who catches the ball for a TD from 40 yards! (2-pt missed conversion)Alabama 18, Georgia 19pic.twitter.com/WbHDRutyn3
— TBP College Football (@thebluepennant) January 11, 2022
But with so many future NFL stars in both defenses, the game’s fate might only be sealed by a decisive play on this side of the ball: the cornerback Kelee Ringo (Georgia) intercepts the leather and sprints towards the end zone to score a touchdown (pick six). 33-18.
The last game of the match? A defensive game of course: the pass rusher Nolan Smith putting Alabama quarterback Bryce Young on the ground. Game-over. Georgia is champion.
The stars
L’imposant defensive tackle jordan davis once once more showed its impact. Admittedly, he cannot play all the snaps because moving such an athletic mass requires breathing a few games. But when he is present on the field then he makes it felt. The lineman Devonte Wyatt, and safety Lewis Cine as well as the trio of linebackers Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker et Channing Tindall have all proven they will be playing in the NFL in 2022.
On the side of Alabama, the linebacker Christian Harris showed why he’s considered a top 50 pick in the 2022 draft while pass rushers, Will Anderson et Dallas Turnerjustified their top 5 odds in the 2023 and 2024 drafts. Speaking of the 2024 draft, except for health concerns, the tight-end Brock Bowers (Georgia) will be selected in the 1st round as his talent is great: following 12 touchdowns for his first university season, he scored a 13th 4 minutes from the end of this anthology match.
Offensively, the receiver George Pickens as well as the runner James Cook justified their odds for the 2022 draft, as did the offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer. On the side of Alabama, the loss during the match of the electric Jameson Williams must have been detrimental.
What a game ! Looking forward to next season.
The pick-6 for the Win au #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/CwqLPw6sVO
— The Trick Play Podcast – NCAA/CFB ???????????? (@TheTrickPlayFR) January 11, 2022
