Jordan Battle
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens (1) makes a long first down catch in the first quarter at the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Monday, January 10, 2022. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Silver lining: Young, Alabama should contend again in 2022

By John Zenor Jan. 11, 2022 02:46 PM EST

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks with Alabama head coach Nick Saban before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia plays Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Coach Chameleon: Saban's greatness lies in his adaptability

By Paul Newberry Jan. 10, 2022 02:42 AM EST

Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and teammates leave the plane after the team arrived at Indianapolis International Airport on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Indianapolis. Georgia is scheduled to play Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game Monday. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Flipping out: UGa QB Bennett goes old school with phone

By Paul Newberry Jan. 08, 2022 06:27 PM EST

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett tosses oranges after their win against Michigan in the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Georgia won 34-11.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
CFP title game QBs: Former 5-star recruit vs. former walk-on

By Stephen Hawkins Jan. 01, 2022 02:23 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) carries the ball as he breaks a tackle against UCF linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Bearcats RB Jerome Ford sheds 'the Alabama transfer' label

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 28, 2021 04:50 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)
AP All-America team: Young and Tide lead with 3 1st teamers

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 13, 2021 12:02 PM EST

FILE - Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) is shown in action against Charleston Southern during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga. Bowers was selected to The Associated Press All-SEC team in results released Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama QB Young, LB Anderson named SEC players of year

By John Zenor Dec. 08, 2021 12:07 PM EST

Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) celebrates his interception and touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Playoff bound: Bama rolls No. 1 Georgia 41-24 for SEC title

By Paul Newberry Dec. 04, 2021 07:51 PM EST

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) dives into the end zone for a touchdown after lining up as a running back in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga. Georgia lists Davis' weight at 340 pounds. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
SEC Championship game features 2 of nation's top defenders

By John Zenor Nov. 30, 2021 02:09 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) and wide receiver Slade Bolden (18) celebrate with wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) after Williams' touchdown reception was confirmed by review during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 3 Alabama hoping to avoid more misadventures at Auburn

By John Zenor Nov. 26, 2021 09:44 AM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, greets Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Arkansas at Alabama 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 03:25 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks the field before an NCAA college football game against LSU, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU at Alabama 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 05:53 PM EDT

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, left, tours the field before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee at Alabama 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
No. 4 Alabama wants to keep streak alive vs rival Tennessee

By John Zenor Oct. 21, 2021 03:52 PM EDT

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) passes against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
No. 5 Alabama rebounds from loss to rout Mississippi St 49-9

By R.j. Morgan Oct. 16, 2021 10:49 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) fights off a tackle attempt by Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) on his way to a 46-yard touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama at Mississippi State 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 07:59 PM EDT

A prerecorded message from Alabama coach Nick Saban is shown on the big screen at Bryant-Denny Stadium before the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game between Alabama and Auburn on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
Saban expects to return to sidelines for Alabama-LSU game

By John Zenor Nov. 30, 2020 03:55 PM EST

Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley (19) hurdles Kentucky defensive back Kelvin Joseph (1) after a catch during NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
Smith, No. 1 Alabama rout short-handed Kentucky, 63-3

By John Zenor Nov. 21, 2020 07:29 PM EST

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) drops back to pass against during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Alabama in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama at Ole Miss 10/10/2020

Oct. 10, 2020 08:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Alabama coach Nick Saban reacts during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama allowed 18.6 points per game nationally last season, good enough for 13th nationally. But it’s still the most the Tide has given up since 2007, Saban’s first year in Tuscaloosa. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Alabama coordinator expects better from Crimson Tide defense

By John Zenor Sep. 20, 2020 12:08 PM EDT