Rematch game

What began as a defensive slugfest with no touchdowns in the first half -- Georgia's six points at halftime were its fewest this season -- evolved into a showcase of big plays, with both teams trading touchdowns and missing two-point conversions in the fourth quarter. They delivered a thriller that was degrees different from their game a month ago in the SEC championship, when Alabama manhandled Georgia up front for a resounding win.

Smart said that since the December loss, the Bulldogs practiced a lot more man-to-man coverage and "simplified some things. They wanted to get more pressure on Young, which they did. They also wanted to get off the field on third down so they could stay fresh and "have a chance to rush better. Some looks took me a little bit just to get down. And I have to process that faster, just make the right play for the team better than I did tonight.

So they changed some things, and I wasn't able to execute. Both quarterbacks struggled, especially early in the game. Bennett was sacked a total of four times, Young three. Bennett, who was criticized following his two interceptions in the SEC title game, improved as the game went on and overcame a costly fumble.

He completed 17 of 26 passes for yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. But again, to think that it would come this far from that national championship he was a part of [in ] to this one, man, what a story.

Smart said he got off the elevator on the 15th floor at the team hotel earlier this week and saw Dooley sitting on a bench, locked out of his room. It was a special, special win. Skip to main content Skip to navigation. UGA outduels Bama late for first title in 41 years. Alabama Crimson Tide. The Oscar winner and the college football hot taker. For the Crimson Tide, it's a chance to solidify itself as the top program in the country, confirming that its performance against the Bulldogs in the SEC title game wasn't simply a fluke, but rather the latest in over a decade of displays of the program's college football might.

For Georgia, just as much is on the line. The lopsided loss sent Georgia down to No. The loss to Alabama was certainly something that Georgia fans didn't want to see. In addition to tarnishing a perfect record, the Bulldogs were sent home with their tails tucked between their legs in their home state. On Monday night, though, the chance at redemption will be at hand.

In all five rematches with national title implications, the loser of the first meeting has won. Additionally, the winners of the rematches have usually won in dominant fashion. That certainly bodes well for the Bulldogs. After a scoreless first quarter, Ole Miss scored with a yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Gibbs to halfback 'Cowboy' Woodruff to jump to a lead.

A touchdown pass from Rebels quarterback Bobby Franklin in both the third and fourth quarters sealed the game for Ole Miss, who held off LSU to win the rematch. On defense, the Rebels held the Tigers to just 74 total yards on offense, including rushing yards. Trailing in the fourth quarter, the Spartans scored a touchdown with a quarterback sneak by Steve Juday.

When Michigan State lined up for the two-point conversion on the left hash to tie the game with seconds left, UCLA successfully stopped an option pitch on the right side. The Spartans attempted an onside kick, but the football was recovered by the Bruins, sealing the victory.

Despite the close loss, the Spartans had already been awarded a national title by Coaches Poll, the Football Writers Association of America and the National Football Foundation due to the rankings being finalized before the bowl games. However, it was undefeated Alabama that earned the title of AP national champion. Memorial Coliseum on Oct. The Buckeyes were already No.

At halftime of the Rose Bowl, Ohio State led However, 16 unanswered points by UCLA propelled them to the lead — a lead that it ultimately would not surrender. History remembers the game as one of the most shocking upsets in college football history, with the Bruins being a How it Happened: Gators head coach Steve Spurrier only won one national title in his career, and that was the year that his Florida team was able to take down the Florida State Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl.

The team had lost its original meeting with them back on Nov. In the first game, Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel was sacked six times and was battered and bruised all game long. In the Sugar Bowl, though, Wuerffel shined. For the first time in his career, the Heisman Trophy-winner played most of the day out of the shotgun, throwing three touchdown passes — all to wide receiver Ike Hilliard — and passing yards.

It was an ultimate blowout conducted by the Gators over their arch-rivals. How it Happened: Defense was the name of the game in both of the games between the Crimson Tide and the Tigers in both the regular season and BCS title game. In the first matchup, both Alabama and LSU threw for under yards and combined for four turnovers, no touchdowns and five field goals in the LSU victory. To put things into perspective, Tigers quarterbacks Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee combined for 9-of passing for just 91 yards and two interceptions — and LSU was the winning team.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban had his Crimson Tide team ready to go against his former employer, maintaining his team's stifling defense in the BCS title game rematch. In total, Alabama held LSU to just 92 total yards, five first downs and two turnovers over the course of the game.

On offense, the Crimson Tide registered five field goals and a touchdown. The game represented the only rematch created by the Bowl Championship Series in its 16 years as the determining system for the national title game. It was replaced by the CFP in As stated earlier, history favors the loser of the initial game when it comes to rematches with national championship implications. In Monday's case, that loser is Georgia.

In the teams' initial meeting in the SEC Championship Game, Alabama had everything going in its favor for the majority of the game. After falling behind in the first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored 24 of the next 31 points to take the game into halftime with a lead.