On Monday, January 10, the #3 Georgia Bulldogs took on the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.  

The highly anticipated game was a rematch of the SEC Championship game from 37 days prior in which Alabama routed Georgia 41-24 in an upset. Although Georgia came into Monday night as three-point favorite, people still had many different opinions and predictions for the game after what they saw in the SEC Championship game.  

The game got off to a slow start from a scoring standpoint as it was just 3-0 Alabama at the end of the first quarter, and by halftime, it was only 9-6 Alabama. This was not surprising, however, as both offenses were successful throughout the season and both defenses were very good. Especially Georgia’s, whose defense was historically good in many categories.  

In the second half however, the offenses woke up. To start the scoring Georgia took advantage of a blocked field goal and a long run by running back James Cook by punching it in from the goal line on a 1-yard touchdown from running back Zamir White to give them a 13-9 lead with 1:20 left in the 3rd quarter. Alabama then answered the next drive with a 21-yard field goal from kicker Will Reichard to cut the Georgia lead to 13-12 with 12:59 to go in the game. 

Alabama then took advantage of a Georgia mistake as quarterback Stetson Bennett fumbled, trying to get rid of the football to avoid being sacked and Alabama took over with excellent field position. 

 Quarterback Bryce Young found tight end Cameron Latu for a 3-yard touchdown pass four plays later to give Alabama an 18-12 lead with 10:14 to go in the game. It looked like Georgia was once again reliving their worst nightmare against the Crimson Tide.  

But the Bulldogs answered right back the next drive as Bennett found wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for a 40-yard touchdown pass 8:09 left in the game to give Georgia back the lead at 19-18. After the Georgia defense got the ball back to their offense they once again extended their lead as Bennett this time found tight end Brock Bowers for 15-yard touchdown pass to make the score 26-18 Georgia. 

With only 3:33 to go in the game, all the momentum was Georgia’s side of the ball.  

As Alabama was driving with one last chance to tie the game, Georgia made one last play to seal it. Cornerback Kelee Ringo intercepted Young and returned it 79 yards for a game-clinching touchdown. Georgia’s Alabama demons had been exercised and they had their first national championship since 1980. 

Georgia fans and players alike both had an abundance of emotions after everything they had been through as a program. Specifically, Bennett who was seeing crying tears of joy on the sideline after the game-sealing pick six. This title might have meant more to Bennett than any other player as the senior began his career as a walk-on, and then worked his way up the depth chart. He was living out his childhood dreams as he had been a Georgia fan his entire life being that he is a Georgia native.  

This win also meant a ton to Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who was previously 0-4 against his former boss, Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Smart also is a graduate of Georgia, having played there from 1995-1998.  

Smart is the first head coach to lead his alma mater to a national championship since Phillip Fulmer led Tennessee to a national championship in 1998.  

It was a great national championship to end a great season that was 2021.  

One thing that was clear watching the game, Georgia and Alabama were clearly the two best teams in the country as they had been all year. Both teams may look much different next year, however with many players from both teams either entering the transfer portal or declaring for the NFL Draft.  

Congratulations to Georgia for ending their 41-year long championship drought!