The Crimson White spoke with ESPN.com SEC blogger Edward Aschoff to get his thoughts on the upcoming SEC Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia.
Crimson White: Are Alabama and Georgia mirror images of each other, especially on offense?
Edward Aschoff: Yeah, I think so. Both teams have extremely strong and powerful running games. The advantage Georgia and Alabama have had this season is that they can put two guys out there each game.
When you look at the two quarterbacks – two of the most efficient quarterbacks in the SEC and the country – both teams have some very valuable weapons at wide receiver.
Altogether, those offenses really do mirror each other.
CW: What kind of matchup problems does Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones create for Alabama?
EA: He’s somebody that can line up anywhere, and he just somehow figures out a way to get to the ball.
He’s just now really learning how to be a pass rusher. He knows where the quarterback’s going to be on every single play. And I think that’s a really special aspect for him. It’s not just the physical skill; it’s the mental skill; it’s the leadership that he brings. He knows what plays are, and he dissects them before the plays start.
He can cover guys, and he can also blitz the quarterback. If he’s dropping back, he can take away passes. If he blitzes, he can take away passes and the run.
Having that offensive line is a plus, but you have to have another blocker and that takes away another weapon from Alabama’s offense.
CW: Is it safe to say Georgia has played really well all year but just had one off night against South Carolina?
EA: South Carolina was more prepared. They came in with a better attitude and a better game plan than Georgia.
Jarvis Jones even said earlier this week that the defense wasn’t where it needed it be, it wasn’t focused like it needed to be. Having him injured earlier in the season hurt with communication and you could see it in the South Carolina game. And I don’t think that communication really came back until they played Florida at the end of October. I think that was the game that really turned the tide for Georgia’s defense.
For the offense, that was the only game that it struggled, which is ironic because it’s been one of the most explosive offenses in the SEC except for that week.
CW: Which team matches up better with Notre Dame?
EA: It’s tough to say right now. With the way that Notre Dame’s offense plays, both defenses would have the edge in this one. And I think both offenses would be able to put up some points against Notre Dame.
But I think it comes down to the play up front and Alabama does have the stronger offensive line.
Overall, when you look at the playmakers, Georgia has more playmakers on offense than Alabama. But that offensive line would be such a big part of the time because of how good Notre Dame’s defense has been. I would give the edge right now to Alabama just because they would be able to wear down Notre Dame’s defensive line faster than Georgia.
CW: Who wins and why?
EA: The issue that Georgia has had in big games doesn’t come down to, “are they physical enough?” It’s the mental side. We saw last year in Atlanta – you get that early lead and a lot of mistakes happen.
Alabama doesn’t have those kind of problems. Nick Saban does such a good job of coaching guys after they lose. This team knows how to play in those big- game situations. Saban has been there before.
Georgia has struggled when the limelight is on, and that’s a big advantage for Alabama. I think it’s close early, but with the way that line has played early, I think there’s a chip on the shoulder with the defense. I think Alabama pulls away in the second half, specifically the fourth quarter.
