Last night’s National Championship was an all-time classic. I don’t think you’ll hear much debate about that. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs to the tune of 26-23 in overtime to capture their fifth natty in nine years. What a fuckin’ dynasty!
I stayed up late watching Scott Van Pelt break down all the action, and something that Rece Davis said really stuck with me. “It was like watching a five-act play.” It really was. I can’t remember the last time so much drama surrounded a football game. Maybe that feisty playoff game between the Bengals and Steelers a few years ago? I don’t know.
It seemed like it was going to be pretty boring to start. Georgia was in full control of the game, and Alabama had absolutely no answer for it. I can’t remember the last time Alabama was so stifled, and looked so frustrated. They had absolutely no control over the game…just getting stuffed and pushed around at every turn. That was weird – definitely not used to seeing that.
Jalen Hurts had the worst game he’s probably ever played for the Tide. Seriously, I don’t remember him ever being outright anemic on offense. But, that’s what it was. The Tide had no vertical passing threat at all. So, Nick Saban decided to pull him. Tua Tagovailoa starts the second half, which was weird, too. How often does that happen? It’s the National Championship and a guy with a 25-2 record as a starter gets pulled for a true freshman? Strange.
And, it’s not like Hurts is inexperienced…he played in the same game last year! How did last night happen? Just one of those fluky nights, I suppose. It’s one I don’t know that Hurts is coming back from, though. He’s a great kid and a class act, but you have to think this is going to be Tagovailoa’s show moving forward.
Then, you had the weird exchange of turnovers. Tagovailoa throws a horrible interception, but Fromm throws one on the next series. There were a couple of big plays with weird sideline penalties – the one Georgia touchdown where they get flagged for the one penalty that would actually uphold the touchdown. How strange?
Alabama’s kicker (Papa Nasty) was missing field goals left and right. Looked totally shook. But, all of these things are football things. Emotions were running high, and that added yet another odd wrinkle into the game.
Alabama linebacker Mekhi Brown punched a Georgia player on the field (no penalty for some reason), then he tried to fight a coach on the sideline! Everyone assumed he might be executed, but then later in the game, he comes back in and makes a clothesline tackle that helped pin the Georgia offense deep. The fuck happened? Is this the twilight zone?
Kyriq McDonald collapsed on the sideline! He’s okay – it was dubbed a “non-athletic medical issue,” but still made for a scary scene.
Then, it all comes down to overtime. Tagovailoa gets sacked, which puts the Tide at 2nd & 26. I told my girlfriend at that point the game was over. There’s no way you can count on Papa Nasty to make a long field goal after the night he had. Then, BOOM – Tua hits DeVonta Smith for the touchdown.
Overall, it’s just one of those weird games. Classic, sure…but at times, it just felt outright bizarre and chaotic.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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