In a statement win that silenced doubters and avenged an earlier-season heartbreak, the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs steamrolled the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide 28-7 on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, securing their second consecutive SEC Championship and a likely first-round bye in the expanded College Football Playoff.

The victory, played out before a raucous crowd of 77,247 decked out in red and black, marks the program’s 16th conference title and ends a frustrating four-game skid against Alabama in SEC title tilts.

Dawgs Repeat as SEC Champs

It was a night of pure dominance for Kirby Smart’s squad, who entered the matchup hungry after dropping a razor-thin 24-21 decision to the Tide back on Sept. 28 in Athens as part of a grueling 2025 schedule.

Stockton Rises To the Occasion

Quarterback Gunner Stockton, stepping up with poise under the bright lights, orchestrated four touchdown drives, tossing three scores while adding 39 rushing yards on 13 carries.

His connection with wideout Zion Branch proved lethal, capped by a 13-yard dart in the fourth quarter that sent the Dawg Nation into a frenzy and sealed the deal at 28-7 with 6:51 remaining.

“It’s all about execution,” Stockton said postgame, his voice hoarse from shouting over the roar of the Dawg Walk earlier in the evening. “We knew we had unfinished business with these guys.

Stout Defense Steps Up Yet Again

The defense gave us short fields, and we just had to cash in.

“That defense? A brick wall. Georgia’s unit, ranked among the nation’s elite all season, suffocated Alabama’s offense, limiting them to a measly 103 total yards and just three plays inside Bulldog territory through three quarters.

The Tide managed a late cosmetic touchdown, but it was too little, too late against a front seven that sacked QB Ty Simpson twice and forced three punts in the opening half alone.

Linebacker CJ Allen led the charge with eight tackles and a forced fumble, while the secondary—bolstered by All-SEC cornerback Daylen Everette’s tip-drill interception in the first quarter—blanketed Alabama’s receivers.

No opponent has topped 21 points against Georgia since mid-October, and Saturday’s shutout through three quarters extended that streak of defensive mastery.The game kicked off with Georgia asserting control early.

After Everette’s pick set up shop at midfield, Stockton needed just six plays to find tight end Oscar Delp for a 12-yard strike, putting the Bulldogs up 7-0 at the 8:12 mark of the first. Alabama’s response? A three-and-out, courtesy of a third-down sack on Simpson that pinned the Tide deep.

The second quarter belonged to the run game, as tailback Nate Frazier broke free for a 22-yard scamper to the house, extending the lead to 14-0. Stockton wasn’t done, however, capping a clock-chewing 14-play, 57-yard march with a 5-yard laser to Dillon Bell just before halftime.

The Bulldogs headed to the locker room with a commanding two-score edge, having held Alabama to 71 yards on 3.6 yards per play.

Halftime adjustments? Alabama tried to air it out, but Georgia’s secondary swatted down any hopes. A 34-yard punt return by Everette set up Stockton’s third TD toss—this one a bullet to Bell again—making it 21-0 midway through the third.

The Tide finally cracked the scoreboard with 12:33 left in the fourth on a short Germie Oti run, but Branch’s breakaway response extinguished any flicker of a comeback.

With the win, Georgia improves to 12-1 (8-1 SEC), having beaten every team on their slate—including this rematch redemption. The Bulldogs’ only blemish? That September slip-up to Bama, now firmly in the rearview as they eye a potential No. 2 seed in Sunday’s CFP reveal.

Smart, trophy in hand during the on-field ceremony, didn’t mince words about his squad’s grit. “This group believed from Day 1. We’ve got the horses, and tonight we galloped. Now, it’s playoff time—let’s keep the streak alive.”

As the confetti rained down and Ludacris—yes, the ATL native—led the Dawgs in a postgame chant, Athens faithful could exhale.

Nine straight wins, a gleaming SEC crystal football, and a path to January glory. The national title chase? It’s wide open, and Georgia looks every bit the favorite.For now, though, savor the moment. Go Dawgs.

Follow AtlantaFi.com for live coverage of the CFP selection show Sunday at noon on ESPN, and stay tuned for playoff bracket breakdowns.