In just one quarter, the revamped Alabama team made it clear they are still the formidable force they’ve always been. Under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, the No. 4 Crimson Tide quickly put No. 1 Georgia on the back foot, looking dominant in this high-stakes SEC matchup.

However, Georgia fought back, transforming what seemed like a certain blowout into an unforgettable contest that could mark the beginning of several more encounters between these fierce rivals this season.

After falling behind with several scores, the Bulldogs surged back, eventually taking a 34-33 lead with a bit over two minutes remaining. Yet, Alabama quickly answered back with a spectacular 75-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe to freshman Ryan Williams, successfully converted a two-point conversion, and capped it off with an interception of Carson Beck in the end zone to seal a thrilling 41-34 win.

It’s worth noting this game was like four matches rolled into one: initially, Alabama’s strong start; then, Georgia’s efforts to minimize the deficit; followed by an astonishing comeback; and finally, Alabama’s dramatic response to finish strong.

This hard-fought battle not only gives Alabama a significant boost but also leaves Georgia with enough hope to still aim for that coveted spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Alabama kicked off the game explosively. They jumped to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 28-0 early in the second, capitalizing on a short field following an interception and sustaining lengthy touchdown drives of 70, 84, and 67 yards. This emphatic start sent a clear message: Even without Nick Saban, Alabama remains a powerhouse.

The coordination between DeBoer and Milroe continues to flourish, as expected. Milroe amassed 374 passing yards, rushed for 117 yards, and accounted for five touchdowns. Williams shone brightly with 177 receiving yards, showcasing remarkable agility against Georgia’s defenders and solidifying his position as one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in SEC lore—all at just 17 years old.

This type of defeat would have been catastrophic for Georgia in previous seasons. However, the expansion of the playoffs has shifted the landscape, removing the intense pressure that has characterized this matchup for nearly a decade.

As a result, while Alabama emerged victorious, Georgia still retains a clear pathway to reclaiming its place at the top of the SEC. If Saturday’s game is any indication, fans can expect another showdown in early December—and potentially again in January.

Winners

Notre Dame

No. 14 Notre Dame will struggle to shake off their recent loss to Northern Illinois, particularly as the Huskies have faltered with two defeats since their upset in South Bend. Nonetheless, the College Football Playoff scenario still favors the Fighting Irish: win all remaining games and they (likely) secure a spot in the 12-team playoff. Their crucial 31-24 victory over No. 17 Louisville on Saturday will help restore Notre Dame’s stature. After a rocky start, they managed to defeat a reputable opponent near the top of the ACC rankings. This win may very well serve as the highlight of Notre Dame’s season as they approach the final playoff decisions in early December.

Kansas State

Following a shocking defeat to No. 22 Brigham Young last week, No. 25 Kansas State bounced back with a convincing 42-20 triumph at home against No. 20 Oklahoma State. With a well-rounded offense that combined for 559 total yards—300 on the ground and 259 through the air—the Wildcats proved they are among the elite teams in the Big 12 and a legitimate playoff contender. Although he made one puzzling interception and might have missed a couple of big opportunities in the passing game, quarterback Avery Johnson ended with 319 total offensive yards and five touchdowns. This performance propels KSU back into contention for the league’s playoff position against No. 10 Utah and No. 19 Iowa State.

Kentucky

Unpredictable and full of surprises, Kentucky has the potential to shake things up within the SEC. After losing by 25 points to South Carolina and narrowly falling to Georgia two weeks ago, they stunned No. 5 Mississippi with a 20-17 upset. Trailing 17-13 with about five minutes to go, the Wildcats covered 83 yards in just six plays to take the lead, then held strong defensively, forcing the Rebels to miss a crucial 48-yard field goal attempt in the closing moments. With upcoming games against Vanderbilt, Florida, and Auburn, Kentucky might find itself in the Top 25 before facing No. 6 Tennessee in October.

Southern California

Just a week after a narrow 27-24 defeat to No. 12 Michigan, the No. 16 Trojans rallied from a 21-10 deficit at halftime to defeat Wisconsin 38-21, marking their first victory in Big Ten competition. The second-half momentum that nearly clinched a win in Ann Arbor didn’t immediately translate into success against the Badgers, who capitalized on three USC turnovers to lead at halftime. Nevertheless, the Trojans dominated the latter part of the game, sealing their victory with a pick-six.

With only five minutes remaining, USC took control of the ball and effectively neutralized the Badgers’ running game, preventing a loss that could have dashed their playoff aspirations.

Colorado

Under Deion Sanders, Colorado has finally shown they can compete as a serious Power Four team, now genuinely aiming for six wins and a bowl invitation. As two-score underdogs against Central Florida, the Buffaloes achieved a stunning 48-21 victory, driven by impressive performances from both Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter. Sanders completed 28 of 35 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, while Hunter contributed with 89 receiving yards, one touchdown, and an interception. With a record of 4-1 and 2-0 in the Big 12, Colorado is just two wins away from its first bowl game since 2020, and only the third time since 2007.

UNLV

No. 23 UNLV has made headlines this week due to the surprising departure of former quarterback Matt Sluka, who played in the first three games but exited amid a dispute over his NIL deal. However, Saturday’s 59-14 victory over Fresno State showed that his absence wasn’t felt at all. Backup Hajj-Malik Williams excelled, completing 13 of 16 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, along with 119 rushing yards and a score. The Rebels have moved past this week’s drama and remain strong contenders for a playoff spot within the Group of Five.

Losers

Mississippi

The outcome was shocking, to say the least. The Rebels, who hadn’t lost as favorites by double digits under coach Lane Kiffin, struggled to find their rhythm as Kentucky controlled the game, leading to a potentially damaging loss that could affect their playoff chances. To stay in the playoff conversation, the Rebels will need to win two of their next three games against No. 13 LSU, No. 18 Oklahoma, and No. 1 Georgia.

Florida State

Things have officially taken a turn for the worse for Florida State, which now sits at 1-4 after a lopsided 42-16 defeat to SMU in the Mustangs’ first ACC game. This loss highlighted all the areas where the Seminoles have struggled: passing, rushing, blocking, tackling, scoring—essentially everything related to football. After a brief recovery with last week’s 14-9 win over California, this loss underscores just how far FSU has fallen since their ACC championship run last year. To put it plainly, the Seminoles are the biggest disappointment of the season.

Alabama-Birmingham

Hiring Trent Dilfer—one of the least experienced head coaches in recent FBS history—has proven to be a disastrous move for UAB. After entering 2023 with six consecutive winning seasons, they now find themselves at a miserable 5-12 under Dilfer, including a 41-18 home loss to Navy. Choosing Dilfer over several qualified candidates raised doubts about UAB’s seriousness as a program, and now, under his leadership, they have become a joke in the American Athletic Conference.

Ollie Gordon

Where has Oklahoma State’s standout running back gone? While it’s not entirely his fault, as he demonstrated during the first two possessions against Kansas State, Gordon is still one of college football’s elite runners. In those initial plays alone, he racked up 69 yards on 10 carries, but then received only five additional carries for a mere seven yards for the remainder of the game. After starting strong with 128 yards in the season opener against South Dakota State, he now only has 208 yards through four games against FBS teams. His chances of securing any postseason accolades are as bleak as the Cowboys’ playoff chances.

Wisconsin

The difficult times for Wisconsin football were made evident during a crucial fourth down at USC territory in the third quarter. Needing just a yard, the Badgers opted for a shotgun formation but were unable to convert. With the score at 21-17 at that time, Wisconsin would fail to score again. This team lacks physicality, athleticism, explosiveness, toughness, and has strayed far from the identity that traditionally defined the program—indicating a clear decline with no evident route back to respectability.

Mack Brown

Mack Brown’s time at North Carolina might be nearing its end, especially after the Tar Heels surrendered a 21-20 defeat to their rival Duke. One must ponder which loss was more damaging: last week’s 70-50 blowout against James Madison or giving up a 20-0 advantage to their biggest rival. The disheartening loss to JMU sparked rumors about Brown stepping down early in his sixth season, and this recent defeat to Duke raises the likelihood that this could be his final season.