Alabama vs. Georgia 2018: Comments, Reaction After College Football Championship

If you woke up this morning and still couldn't believe what you witnessed in the CFP National Championship on Monday night, it's okay neither could we.

The instant classic between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs produced a collection of memorable moments from some of the unlikeliest of contributors.

Alabama freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was the breakout star of the game, as he led the Crimson Tide back from a 13-0 halftime deficit to a 26-23 overtime victory.

Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban admitted the switch from sophomore Jalen Hurts to his true freshman was a "spark" for his team, per Aaron Suttles of the Tuscaloosa News.

Down 13 points at halftime after a dominant first-half showing from Georgia, Saban knew not many expected his team to complete the comeback, per ESPN's Marty Smith.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart expected some type of move from his former boss and wasn't surprised when Tagovailoa came into the game.

"We told everybody at halftime there was no question they were going to him because they were struggling and they needed some momentum. He provided them some juice," Smart said, according to DawgNation's Seth Emerson.

Tagovailoa's game-winning touchdown pass in overtime hit fellow freshman DeVonta Smith, who didn't have a catch before that play. Smith detailed the moments before the play and what he saw from the Georgia defense, per Matt Fortuna of The Athletic.

Although Tagovailoa was the hero on Monday night, Saban made sure to give Hurts credit for the position he put the Crimson Tide in just to reach the title game, according to Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic.

Of course, there are two sides of each thrilling championship moment, and unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they were left heartbroken by the loss.

"I really don’t know how we lost that game," senior outside linebacker Davin Bellamy told Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald.

Before they even got to the locker room, the Bulldogs were consumed by emotion and their head coach tried to console his players. Rivals' Jake Reuse caught a moment between Smart and senior running back Sony Michel entering the tunnel.

The Bulldogs were in control for most of the first half thanks to the unexpected success of freshman quarterback Jake Fromm, who worked well with wide receiver Riley Ridley, the younger brother of Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

The younger Ridley was Georgia's leading receiver in the national championship, and he earned plenty of respect from his older brother. WSFA's Maria Martin captured the brothers exchanging jerseys postgame.

As he celebrated with his teammates, Calvin Ridley proudly wore the jersey of his younger brother, as the SEC's official Twitter account showed us.

Alabama's celebration continued well into Tuesday, and at least one of its stars was happy his team proved everyone wrong after weeks and months of College Football Playoff debates. Running back Damien Harris wanted everyone to know what he thought of the Crimson Tide winning their fifth title in nine years, per Sports Illustrated's Bruce Feldman.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.