Lights Out in Athens: Alabama Rolls Over Georgia

On Georgia's third possession, Stafford found the time to complete six consecutive passes, culminating with a tremendous catch by electrifying freshman receiver A.J. Green.

This was a positive sign since the freshman was clearly rattled earlier in the game. In the second quarter Green fumbled a catch that led to an Alabama touchdown. Green was inconsolable on the sideline following that mistake, and the Bulldog Nation worried that he would be ineffective for the remainder of the game.

However, Stafford knew he'd have to get him involved again if they were to have any hope to get back in the game.
 
Green's third quarter catch led to a Moreno touchdown run two plays later. The sophomore running back hurt his wrist on an earlier play, but you knew he would find a way into the end zone. It took a stiff arm with his ailing wrist to get there, but he made it happen.

Stanford was awakened, Moreno was running to the sideline showing the enthusiasm that only he can, and Bulldog fans were wondering, "Is this possible?" 31-10, with Georgia momentum.
 
An Alabama punt opened the fourth quarter and Prince Miller promptly returned it for 92 yards. That return was the second longest in UGA history.

Suddenly the Bulldogs were making a game out of what once looked like a lost cause. The sea of black in the stadium was alive with waving red pom-poms, believing they were going to witness something truly remarkable.
 
But Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide snuffed out Georgia's hopes of a rally as they answered with 10 straight points.
 
Two more Stafford touchdown passes made the score respectable, but the game was anything but that. Georgia's valiant comeback was admirable but proved to be much too little, too late. They were unable to recover from the early hole in which they found themselves, and outside of that 10-minute span the game was never within reach.
 
The questions raised in Georgia's previous games—the offensive line protection issues and ill-advised penalties—haunted this Bulldog team. The lack of discipline is concerning.

Yet the Bulldog Nation should remember it was a similar loss last season (to Tennessee, 35-14) that turned the season around. If there is a way to learn victory in defeat, Coach Richt has shown he is capable of teaching it.
 
Richt said after the game, "This year, we still have control of our destiny in the Eastern Division. It's still wide open. We've got the open date to get stronger and heal up and get the game plan for Tennessee. All hope is not lost by any means."
 
All hope is not lost, Georgia fans. Not even your national championship title hopes, especially in light of the turn of events in the entire college football universe this past week. Anything can, and will, happen.
 
Georgia must turn their eyes to, coincidentally, Tennessee and Vanderbilt next. A tough road game in Baton Rouge and the Cocktail Party follow. This was only the first test in a season filled with many trials.
 
As Jack Welch said, "Control your own destiny or someone else will." The Bulldogs believe they have two destinies: SEC Championship and national championship.
 
The dress rehearsal for the SEC season ended when the game began on Saturday night. Ask any of the UGA players, and they'd say they'd love a second take.

If they move on from this loss, correct the mistakes and pull off another run like they did to close the 2007 season, they'll likely get another shot at the Tide in Atlanta in the SEC Championship game.
 
And perhaps a shot at their ultimate destiny: a national championship. 

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