Honestly, if you’re a Georgia fan, Alabama is that one final boss you’ve beaten, but then they keep respawning with a new health bar. Every time it feels like the Bulldogs have finally surged past the Crimson Tide for good, something weird happens. A 75-yard touchdown pass to a freshman. A goal-line stand. A rainy afternoon in Athens where the offense just vanishes.
UGA vs Alabama football isn't just a rivalry. It’s a psychological hurdle.
For a long time, the narrative was simple: Kirby Smart couldn't beat his mentor, Nick Saban. Then 2022 happened. Georgia broke the curse in Indianapolis, won the National Championship, and followed it up with another ring. It felt like the torch had been passed. But then Saban retired, Kalen DeBoer stepped in, and everyone thought maybe Georgia would finally breathe easy. Instead, DeBoer has seemingly picked up right where Saban left off, turning the "post-Saban" era into a continuation of Georgia’s Tuscaloosa-sized headache.
The Most Recent Heartbreak in Athens
On September 27, 2025, Alabama rolled into Sanford Stadium as a massive underdog. They were ranked No. 17. Georgia was sitting at No. 5. The Bulldogs hadn't lost a home game since 2019—a staggering 33-game winning streak.
Then the game started.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson looked like a seasoned pro, carving up a Georgia secondary that usually doesn't give up much. The Tide built a 17-7 lead by halftime, and you could feel the air being sucked out of the stadium. It wasn't supposed to go like this. Georgia fought back, of course. Roderick Robinson and Cash Jones started finding lanes, and for a second, it looked like Kirby Smart would pull another rabbit out of the hat.
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But the Tide’s defense, led by LT Overton, came up with a massive fourth-down stop inside the 10-yard line in the fourth quarter. Alabama walked out with a 24-21 win. It was Georgia’s first home loss in six years. Just like that, the "new era" of Alabama football looked a lot like the old one.
The 2024 Chaos in Tuscaloosa
If you want to talk about "classic" games, you have to look at the 2024 regular-season meeting. This was Kalen DeBoer's first real test, and it was absolute insanity. Alabama jumped out to a 28-0 lead. 28 to zero. People were turning off their TVs.
Then Carson Beck and the Dawgs woke up.
Georgia went on a furious run, eventually taking a 34-33 lead with only 2:31 left on the clock after a 67-yard touchdown by Dillon Bell. It was one of those "where were you" moments. But the lead lasted about thirteen seconds. Jalen Milroe found freshman sensation Ryan Williams, who did a literal spin-cycle move on two Georgia defenders and took it 75 yards to the house. Alabama won 41-34.
Why the Gap Persists
It’s tempting to say it’s just luck, but there’s a pattern here. Alabama has won 9 of the last 11 meetings. Kirby Smart, despite being the best coach in the country by almost every metric, is 2-8 against Alabama.
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- The Quarterback Factor: Alabama consistently finds a way to make the "one big play" late. Whether it's Tua Tagovailoa in 2018, Jalen Milroe in 2024, or Ty Simpson in 2025.
- Third Down Dominance: In the 2025 regular-season game, Alabama went 13-for-19 on third downs. Georgia went 2-for-8. You can’t win when you can’t get off the field.
- Aggressive Early Starts: Alabama often jumps on Georgia early, forcing the Bulldogs to abandon their preferred ball-control run game and play catch-up.
Breaking the Cycle: The 2025 SEC Championship
History finally took a turn in December 2025.
For the fifth time, these two met in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alabama had won all four previous SEC title matchups (2012, 2018, 2021, and 2023). Most experts expected a repeat of the September game. Georgia was a slight 2.5-point favorite, but the "Bama Voodoo" was weighing heavy on the betting lines.
Gunner Stockton had other plans.
Starting for the Dawgs, Stockton put on a clinic of efficiency. He didn't force deep balls into double coverage. He just took what the Tide gave him, completing over 70% of his passes. Georgia’s defense, which had been criticized for being "soft" in the first meeting, was nasty. They sacked Ty Simpson repeatedly—Zayden Walker alone had a massive impact in the fourth quarter.
Georgia cruised to a 28-7 victory. It wasn't a thriller, and for Georgia fans, that was the best part. It was a dominant, boring, beautiful win that finally gave them an SEC trophy over the Tide.
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What We Learned from the Rivalry
You've got to respect what Alabama has done. Transitioning from a GOAT coach like Saban to DeBoer and still maintaining a winning record against a powerhouse like Georgia is unheard of. Most programs crater after a legend leaves. Alabama just retooled.
But Georgia proved that they aren't going anywhere. They trailed in seven of their eight SEC games in 2025 and still found a way to finish 7-1 in conference play. That’s resilience.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you’re following this rivalry, here is the reality of the situation:
- Throw the Records Out: Rankings mean nothing when these two play. A No. 17 Alabama team is just as dangerous as a No. 1 team when they see the "G" on the helmet.
- Watch the Third Down Percentage: If Alabama is converting over 40% of their third downs, Georgia is usually in trouble. The Bulldogs' defensive scheme relies on getting teams into long-yardage situations and forcing punts.
- Home Field is Overrated: Georgia lost at home in 2025. Alabama lost at home in various years. These players are so talented that crowd noise rarely rattles them for a full four quarters.
- The "Post-Saban" Drop-off is a Myth: Kalen DeBoer is 2-1 against Kirby Smart as of the start of 2026. The rivalry has changed faces, but the intensity is exactly the same.
Moving forward, keep a close eye on the recruiting trails in South Georgia and Birmingham. Both schools are fighting for the same five-star talent, and those individual matchups—like Ryan Williams vs. Julian Humphrey—are what decide these games. Review the 2025 SEC Championship tape to see how Georgia’s defensive line finally figured out the Tide's protection schemes, as that will likely be the blueprint for their next encounter in the 2026 season.