PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Tua Tagovailoa was selected the SEC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The sophomore completed 25 of 32 passes for 324 yards, tying the school record with five passing touchdowns and adding a rushing touchdown, as well. He has done all this while attempting only three passes in the fourth quarter. He leads the nation with a passing efficiency rating of 212.5, which would be an NCAA record if it holds.
–WR Jerry Jeudy, a sophomore, is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver. He had five catches for 77 yards against Auburn, giving him 1,079 receiving yards for the season, which is the third-best total in school history. He can catch Julio Jones (1,133) this week, but not Amari Cooper (1,727 yards in 2014).
–DL Isaiah Buggs is sometimes overshadowed on Alabama’s defensive line, but he has 9.5 sacks this season, which ranks No. 13 in school history. He needs a half sack to tie for ninth place. He’ll be going against a Georgia offense that is tied for 23rd nationally, allowing only 1.33 sacks per game.
–PK Joseph Bulovas has hit eight consecutive field goals inside 50 yards — including a career-best 49-yarder — but PATs have been shaky for the redshirt freshman. He is 58 of 63 for the season. That’s an area to watch if Alabama ends up playing a close game.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads 39-25-4. The Tide has won four in a row, including 26-23 in overtime in last season’s national title game.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s a mindset of it happens … move on. It’s good that it happened. We got to enjoy it for quite some time now, and it’s a new season. Everything that happened last year, happened last year.” — QB Tua Tagovailoa, on last season’s win over Georgia in the national championship game.
