Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs Complete Game Preview

The first weekend of October means the first weekend of the road to the SEC Championship as No. 13 Alabama travels to Athens to face No. 8 Georgia on Saturday afternoon.

This is already the biggest SEC game of the year. According to Seth Emerson of DawgNation.com, more than 600 media credentials will be issued to writers, photographers, scouts, national radio talents and more.

Both teams come into the game with something to prove. After losing to Ole Miss nearly two weeks ago, Alabama is looking to show the world it is still the dominant team in college football. As for Georgia, it is looking to prove to everyone it is the team to beat in the SEC after a double-digit win at Vanderbilt and a blowout win against South Carolina.

Airing on CBS, the entire county will be able to see this game. And fans who normally don’t follow the SEC will be in for a treat because this game will have two great running backs, two athletic defensive units and two head coaches who know how to win.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3

Time: 3:30 p.m. EDT

Place: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

TV: CBS

Radio: Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network, Crimson Tide Sports Network Sirius/XM 84/84

Spread: Georgia is favored by two points, according to OddsShark.com

When Alabama Has the Ball

Alabama is a team that loves to run, run and run some more. It is fifth in the SEC in rushing, averaging 202.5 yards per game, and Derrick Henry is tied with LSU's Leonard Fournette for the SEC-lead with eight rushing touchdowns.

Henry did not have a strong outing against Louisiana-Monroe last week. He did have a touchdown run, but he only had 52 yards on 13 carries. However, quarterback Jake Coker was the real story as he threw for three touchdowns in the win against ULM.

"

#Bama RB Derrick Henry is on a record breaking pace http://t.co/ijUJov8YbM via @247Sports #RollTide pic.twitter.com/zAXaswm6x7

— BamaOnline (@BamaOnline247) September 29, 2015"

Alabama’s strength is the run game, and head coach Nick Saban will use a lot of Henry and Kenyan Drake against Georgia’s defense. Speaking of which, the Bulldogs come into the game the No. 3 defense in the conference. They are ranked No. 2 in the conference in pass defense and No. 4 in run defense. Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd have been the anchors of the unit, leading the team in tackles and sacks. But other players, such as Dominick Sanders, Jake Ganus and Quincy Mauger, have stood out this first quarter of the season. Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has got his group flying around the football, and that’s one of the reasons why the Bulldogs are undefeated so far this season.

When Georgia Has the Ball

Like Alabama, the Bulldogs love to run the ball. They do so using the duo of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb is second in the SEC with 599 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Michel has been a good backup with 229 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

But the story this season has been the play of Greyson Lambert. After spending last season at Virginia, where he threw 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, Lambert has thrown for 733 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also completed 76.5 percent of his passes and has a efficiency rating of 200.

"

Greyson Lambert is lighting it up. Lambert's last 2 games: 33/35, 476 yds, 5 TD. #SOUvsUGA pic.twitter.com/aaJbcgij2h

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 26, 2015"

As good as the Georgia offense has been this season, it will face its biggest challenge to date in Alabama's defense. The Crimson Tide rank No. 2 overall in conference in total defense, allowing only 56 yards per game on the ground. Alabama is led by linebacker Reggie Ragland, who has 34 tackles. Defensive end Jarran Reed has been solid with 20 tackles and one sack, and outside linebacker Reuben Foster has been strong with 18 tackles and two tackles for a loss.

The entire Alabama defense plays well together because it has great team speed and rarely make mistakes. It will have to play that way on Saturday against a disciplined Georgia offense.

Player to Watch for Alabama: Kenyan Drake

The Bulldogs defense will be focused on Henry, as they should, but Drake could play a huge role in the Crimson Tide’s offensive attack on Saturday.

Drake only has two total touchdowns, but he is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 19.9 yards per reception. At 6’1’’ and 210 pounds, Drake is a guy who has speed, power and athleticism.

The one thing to watch for is his health. Drake suffered a leg injury in October last season. He was the kick returner earlier this season, but according to Matt Zenitz of AL.com, he was replaced by Damien Harris because he got banged up in the Ole Miss game.

It would not surprise anyone if Alabama lines up Drake all over the field to give it an edge against the Bulldogs defense. He’s just as explosive as Henry, but Drake can do a little bit more in the passing game.

"

@SportsCenter #BestSpinMove neither. It was Kenyan Drake week one. https://t.co/2jiQSzd2Oo

— Boss Taylor (@BossTaylor34) September 15, 2015"

Player to Watch for Georgia: Sony Michel

The Bulldogs have their own Drake with Michel. Chubb is the No. 1 running back on the roster, but Michel could be the most explosive player on the roster.

Michel ran for 75 yards on six carries and two touchdowns last week against Southern. But he was able to really make a name for himself against South Carolina when he had 11 touches, 83 total yards and three total touchdowns.

At 5’11’’ and 212 pounds, Michel has just as much speed and power as Chubb. He will be used quite a bit on Saturday as the defense will make sure Chubb does not get 100 yards for the 13th consecutive time.

"

@SportsCenter if this is #SCtop10 https://t.co/HydEUAYANT then shouldn't Sony Michel get some air time with this: https://t.co/Iv3lgMpXbr

— Benjamin Price (@BPriceComedy) September 27, 2015"

Final Score: Georgia 27, Alabama 23

This game will not be easy for either team. The Bulldogs are facing their toughest opponent yet and the Crimson Tide are facing the best running offense they will see all season. Both teams are strong on defense, they have great running backs and both have the top coaches in the game.

So this game really comes down to the quarterbacks. Coker has been solid, but has had his struggles with four interceptions. Lambert struggled in the Vanderbilt game, but has been nothing but great the entire season.

Both teams are at the top of the conference, but Georgia is slightly more talented than Alabama. And when it’s all said and done, the Bulldogs will be able to make one more play than the Crimson Tide.