Alabama vs. Georgia: Road to the National Championship Game

The much-anticipated season opener between No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Florida State turned out to be a dominant performance by the Crimson Tide. Alabama intercepted Deondre Francois twice, who was lost for the year late in the game after a knee injury.

True freshman Jake Fromm was inserted at quarterback when sophomore Jacob Eason limped off the field and looked like a seasoned veteran against Appalachian State. He was 10-of-15 for 143 yards and one score, while the Bulldogs' running game led by Nick Chubb and Sony Michel ran for 221 yards in the season-opening win.

Fresno State was no match for Alabama's running game. The Crimson Tide finished with 305 yards rushing, averaging 7.8 yards per carry, in the 31-point victory.

The much-anticipated matchup between Georgia and Notre Dame lived up to its billing. Georgia ran for 185 yards and held the Fighting Irish's offense to only 55 yards rushing. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship helped Georgia take the lead at South Bend with 3:34 remaining, and Georgia's defense didn't let up late.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts was a force throwing and running the ball in a game the Crimson Tide led 38-10 going into the fourth quarter. He threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns, adding 11 carries for 103 yards and one score.

It was Nick Chubb's day to shine vs. Samford, as he rushed 16 times for 131 yards and two scores. Jake Fromm threw for 165 yards and three scores, two going to wideout Terry Godwin.

Alabama embarrassed Vandy in the SEC opener, rushing for 496 yards and six scores. The Commodores were able to generate only 78 yards of offense.

Georgia's defense was a nightmare for Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, holding him to only 83 yards passing and two interceptions. Jake Fromm was highly efficient, completing 9-of-12 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

Another week, another dominating performance by the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide against an SEC opponent. Alabama overcame its recent issues against Ole Miss, rushing for 365 yards and five scores. Quarterback Jalen Hurts led the way with 101 yards and one score.

Georgia's visit to Knoxville was no contest. The Bulldogs rushed for 294 yards and held the Vols to only 142 total yards and seven first downs, forcing four takeaways.

Alabama got its first real challenge of the season when the Crimson Tide visited College Station. They rushed for 232 yards on the ground against the Aggies, but Texas A&M closed the gap to eight points when they scored a touchdown with 17 seconds remaining.

Georgia visited the state of Tennessee for the second straight week, this time dominating Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs ran over Vandy with 423 yards rushing and four touchdowns, while holding the Commodores to only 64 yards rushing.

Alabama's defense smothered Arkansas' running game, holding the Razorbacks to less than one yard per carry. Damien Harris rushed nine times for 125 yards and two scores, as the Crimson Tide rushed for more than 300 yards again.

Georgia was a heavy favorite against the 1-4 Missouri Tigers, but the defense was challenged by Mizzou's air attack. The Bulldogs allowed a season-high 28 points, including 21 in the first half, but Georgia's offense was too much for Missouri. UGA finished the game with 696 total yards, including two rushing touchdowns from Sony Michel.

Bama's defense absolutely smothered Tennessee's offense, holding the Volunteers to just 108 yards and seven first downs in another big win. Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa combined to throw for 332 yards.

After a week off, the Georgia defense successfully rebounded at Florida. The Bulldogs only allowed a fourth-quarter score, holding the Gators' quarterbacks to only 10 completions and 66 yards. Georgia generated most of its offense on the ground, rushing for 292 yards and four scores, including two touchdowns from Sony Michel.

It was an offensive struggle, but Alabama's win against the rival Tigers was never really in doubt. The Tide were able to hold LSU's vaunted rushing attack to only 3.6 yards per carry in the win.

The Bulldogs' defense stiffened when it needed to against South Carolina, forcing two turnovers in a 24-10 win in Athens. The offense had a strong day with 438 total yards, and Nick Chubb led all rushers with 102 yards on 20 carries.

Visiting Mississippi State, Alabama trailed 24-17 early in the fourth quarter. The offense was able to rally, including a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith with 25 seconds remaining in the game to take a touchdown lead. The Crimson Tide still outgained the Bulldogs 444-330 and escaped victorious.

It was a rough visit to Auburn for the Bulldogs, getting blown out 40-17. Georgia uncharacteristically allowed 488 total yards, including 167 yards to Tigers running back Kerryon Johnson. The Georgia running game was held to only 46 yards.

The Crimson Tide embarrassed Mercer, outgaining the Bears 530-161 in a lopsided victory. Both Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa threw for three touchdowns.

Georgia got back on track after losing to Auburn, blowing out Kentucky. Nick Chubb rushed 15 times for 151 yard and two scores, while Sony Michel had 12 carries for 87 yards and three scores.

The Iron Bowl had even bigger stakes than usual, with the winner set to represent the West Division in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama rushed for 211 yards, but Auburn was able to hold the passing game in check and dominate in the second half to win 26-14. As a result, Alabama was forced to have faith that the College Football Playoff Committee would still grant the Tide an invite.

Georgia visited rival Georgia Tech and won with an efficient day from the offense. Jake Fromm was 12-of-16 for 224 yards and two touchdowns, and the team got rushing touchdowns from Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and D'Andre Swift.

Georgia was hoping for revenge after losing to Auburn less than one month earlier, and the Dawgs were able to win easily against a banged-up Auburn squad. After trailing 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, Georgia's offense woke up. Jake Fromm threw for two touchdowns, and the running game finished with 238 yards. The defense had a strong day, forcing two turnovers and allowing only 259 yards.

It was a Rose Bowl for the ages between Georgia and Oklahoma. Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma offense had Georgia on the ropes with a 31-17 lead at halftime, but the Bulldogs came storming back in the third quarter. Georgia took a 38-31 lead early in the fourth quarter before Oklahoma scored two unanswered touchdowns, including a 46-yard Steven Parker fumble return. Nick Chubb tied the game at 45 with less than one minute remaining in regulation, forcing overtime. Both teams kicked a field goal in the first overtime, but after Georgia blocked a field goal in the second overtime, Sony Michel had a 27-yard scamper to win. The teams combined for more than 1,000 yards of offense, and Michel finished with four touchdowns.

Alabama faced Clemson in the College Football Playoff for the third straight year, this time in the semifinals. With Deshaun Watson gone from Clemson after last year, the Alabama defense dominated from start to finish. The defense forced two turnovers, including a pick-six, and held the Tigers to just 188 total yards to win the Sugar Bowl and advance.