Pictured L-R: Alabama & Georgia QB’s, Bryce Young & Stetson Bennett
College Football:
Who: Alabama (13-1) versus Georgia (13-1)
What: NCAA Division 1 Championship
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
When: Monday, 5 p.m. on ESPN
Alabama and Georgia will meet up for the second time this year on Monday evening, and with nothing less than the NCAA Division 1 championship at stake.
Back on December 4th, No. 3 Alabama picked up a 41-24 victory at No. 1 Georgia in an SEC showdown.
Thirty-seven days later, it’s yet again, No. 1 vs No. 3, but this time around, the Crimson Tide are the top ranked team in the country.
While this is clearly a battle of power programs from the south, there is a very local feel, thanks to Pasadena’s Bryce Young.
Young played two years at Cathedral and then finished off his remarkable prep career at the nation’s top program, Mater Dei.
Last month, Young became Pasadena’s first Heisman Trophy winner, and by a margin of 16-5, area coaches and players have predicted that Young and Alabama will wrap up yet another national championship for Nick Saban.
For the record, Alabama opened as a 1-point favorite, but as of Saturday night, Georgia is laying 2.5 points.
The following are stat comparisons, and then our SGV area coaches and players make their predictions and reasons for selecting either the Bulldogs or Crimson Tide.
By the Numbers:
Total offense (yards) per game:
Georgia: 448
Alabama: 495
Points per game:
Georgia: 39
Alabama: 41
Passing yards per game:
Georgia: 254
Alabama: 336
Rushing yards per game:
Georgia: 195
Alabama: 159
Time of Possession:
Georgia: 30:42
Alabama: 32:26
Quarterbacks:
Stetson Bennett (G): 168-261 for 2,638 yards, 27 TD’s, 7 INT’s
Bryce Young (A): 331-490 for 4,503, 46 TD’s, 5 INT’s
Running Backs:
Zamir White (G): 147-772, 10 TD’s
Brian Robinson (A): 249-1,275, 14 TD’s
Receivers:
Brock Bowers (G): 52-846, 12 TD’s
Jameson Williams (A): 75-1,507, 15 TD’s
Tackle Leaders:
Nakobe Dean (G): 68
Henry To’oTo’o (A): 105
SGV Area Predictions:
Claremont coach, Shane Hile:
Winner: Georgia
Why: I’m a defensive guy and I really like what Georgia is doing. They have not given up more than 17 points in a game and have only allowed 10 touchdowns. That usually equals championships.
Score: 21-10
West Covina coach, Mike Maggiore:
Winner: Alabama
Why: It’s the two best teams in college and could go either way. It seems like Alabama is on a mission.
Score: 35-24
Mt. SAC coach, Bob Jastrab:
Winner: Alabama
Why: It’s hard to beat the champs. It’s mental.
Score: 28-24
PCC coach, Robert Tucker:
Winner: Alabama
Why: It’s more of a gut feeling, but I’ve always believed that championship teams win because of talent, depth and experience, and I think Bama’s experience is greater than Georgia.
Score: 31-24
Rio Hondo Prep coach, Mark Carson:
Winner: Georgia
Why: I’ll go with Georgia, because the Dogs defense will be the difference.
Score: 27-23
Ayala coach, Arthur Gracia:
Winner: Alabama
Why: Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, better coaching and a better team.
Score: 31-28
Monrovia coach, Chris Williams:
Winner: Alabama
Why: The Alabama defense is smothering, and Bryce Young had shown he can make plays in big moments.
Score: 38-21
Ayala sophomore QB, Bryan Wilson:
Winner: Alabama
Why: I think Alabama wins, but not by a lot, because Georgia is going to be playing with a chip on their shoulder. I think Bama wins, because their o-line is better than Georgia’s d-line, and Bryce Young will make big plays.
Score: 31-21
Northview junior QB, James Arellanes:
Winner: Alabama
Why: Their offense is really good and I think Bryce Young goes off.
Score: 49-35
Bonita freshman LB/WR, Noah Mikhail:
Winner: Georgia
Why: It’s tough to beat the same team twice, especially that close together.
Score: 28-24
Bonita senior WR/DB, Trevor Cadam:
Winner: Alabama
Why: Bryce Young leading the way is what you want. He stays cool, calm and collected in big moments and can perform on a high level in the big-time games.
Score: 35-24
Glendora senior RB/LB, Braydon Brus:
Winner: Alabama
Why: I just don’t think Georgia’s defense can hang with Alabama’s offense. I think Alabama running and passing game will overpower Georgia’s defense.
Score: 24-21
St. Francis senior RB/DB, Max Garrison:
Winner: Alabama
Why: I feel like Alabama is a more sound team, and the way Bryce Young is playing, I wouldn’t bet against them, especially because he’s from Pasadena.
Score: 38-31
St. Francis junior QB, Jack Jacobs:
Winner: Alabama
Why: Bryce Young has too many tools and all the skill positions are unmatched.
Score: 35-28
La Salle junior QB, Richie Munoz:
Winner: Georgia
Why: I got Georgia winning, because it’s hard to beat a team twice, especially a team that has a defense like Georgia.
Score: 21-17
La Salle sophomore WR/DB, David Mysza:
Winner: Alabama
Why: Alabama wins, because (Coach Nick) Saban knows how to win the big games more than any college coach, and Alabama has the momentum from the last time (Dec 4th game).
Score: 28-27
Rio Hondo Prep senior WR/DB, Gio Ortega:
Winner: Alabama
Why: They already rolled Georgia once, and I doubt Georgia finds a way to stop their offense.
Score: 35-24
Rio Hondo Prep senior RB/LB, Jonathan Guerrero:
Winner: Georgia
Why: Georgia swept through Michigan pretty easily, and I dont think Alabama will be abl to stop their defense this time.
Score: 35-28
PCC sophomore DB, Kaydon Spens:
Winner: Alabama
Why: Alabama is going to win, and I think you know all the success going around in Pasadena with our winning season. Bryce is going to show out for his city. He is the best at what he does.
Score: 58-35
Monrovia senior QB, Noah Rodriguez:
Winner: Alabama
Why: I’m choosing Alabama, because it’s Nick Saban, who has a lot of experience and knows what he is doing. Bryce Young is having an absolutely outstanding year. He will finish with the Heisman and National Championship in one year.
Score: 35-28
PCC sophomore WR, Wheeler Smith:
Winner: Alabama
Why: Bryce Young is from Pasadena and he’s a difference maker. A couple kids from our PCC team went to high school with him and he’s the MVP of college football.
Score: 42-21
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