Once a matchup we only saw infrequently, Alabama and Georgia have now played 8 times since 2020, and we’re all getting very used to each other at this point. Our good friend Macondawg from DawgSports.com joins us yet again for a Q&A. Macondawg has been exchanging these with me at least since 2020, and I’ve found evidence that RBR and DawgSports have done Q&As with each other as far back as 2007.
As usual, we are both trying to predict the other team wins and see which fanbase can compete to be more
of the underdog – which seems to be a uniquely Alabama-Georgia thing. Anyway, enjoy the Q&A:
1) Gunner Stockton is in his 3rd season (well, 2 and some change) as the starting QB. How has he continued to grow since we saw him last year?
Less than that. His first start was against Notre Dame in the 2025 Sugar Bowl, so only one true season as the starter. But it’s an easy mistake to make because he’s been around as a backup forever. This season he’s doing a much better job of staying in the pocket and making reads rather than just taking off when his first or second receiver isn’t open. That should pay dividends over the course of a long season as he takes fewer shots than he did last season. But it’s also meant than when he runs he’s often got miles of green grass in front of him (he’s averaging 6.10 yards per rush).
In the passing game he’s playing with more confidence, but not trying to be the gunslinger he’s not. Gunner’s completing 75.5% of his passes and has thrown 13 touchdowns against 1 interception. His average depth of target is probably among the shortest you’ll see, but he’s really good at making the right situational throw, zipping in a laser when he needs to, leading receivers well, etc. it’s a cliche, but it really feels as if the game has slowed down for him a bit.
2) Nate Frazier was a highly regarded running back recruit thats had good production for three seasons – whats been holding him back from wver escaping the Hall of Very Good and becoming a star running back?
In a word, injury. Frazier missed two games with injuries as a freshman, was limited by nagging injuries a couple of times last season, and missed the Oklahoma game this season with bruised ribs. But when he’s been on the field he’s been unstoppable. So far in 2026 he’s averaging 8.12 yards per carry and has 5 touchdowns on only 26 carries.
But if I had to explain in two words, the second word would be “depth.” Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo have just never believed in giving a back 30 carries a game. With Chauncey Bowens, Dwight Phillips, and Bo Walker all bringing something unique to the table, it’s unlikely that Frazier will put up gaudy numbers this season, either. But as long as Georgia keeps winning I don’t think he or the coaches are very concerned about that. However with Bowens out this week I expect the Tide will see more of Frazier than any other team has so far in 2026.
3) Talk about your receiving group – seems like a lot of new faces. Who’s good at what?
That’s a great question. We’re kind of still figuring that out. Through five games 11 different wide receivers and 5 tight ends have caught at least one pass. It’s sort of been an open tryout on game days.
What we do know is that the tight end group is excellent. Lawson Luckie and Jaden Reddell are both extremely mobile tight ends who will also play an H-back role in the running game. Elyiss Williams plays the Darnell Washington/aircraft carrier tight end role, although he’s “only” 6’7, 260. Mike Bobo has spent a lot of time in 31 personnel because that group is the deepest on the squad.
Out wide Talyn Taylor is coming into his own as a downfield threat, though it remains to be seen if he can avoid the drops that plagued him as a freshman in 2025. The team’s leading receiver is actually true freshman Craig Dandridge, who’s averaging 19.7 yards per catch. Dandridge isn’t big (6’1, 185) but is shifty and has another gear in the open field.
The veterans who probably should be Georgia’s go-to targets, London Humphreys and Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion, have both been very quiet so far this season. In Canion’s case that’s largely due to injury. In Humphreys’ it seems the coaches are comfortable with what he can do and haven’t really needed him a ton so far. I expect him to be a major target this weekend though.
4) Most of the talk so far this season has been about the UGA offensive explosion, but the defense doesn’t seem to have the national household names of years past. Outside of KJ Bolden, who are the players who make this defense go?
Chris Cole is definitely the headliner at outside linebacker. He’s 6’4 and plays longer than that, and may be Georgia’s best sideline to sideline tackler since Roquan Smith.
But he’s also an effective edge pass rusher in certain situations.
Cornerback Ellis Robinson, IV is also very likely to be taken in the first two rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft. He’s our best cover corner, and is also pleasantly violent in the run game.
Up front sophomore defensive tackle Elijah Griffin is having a great year. He’s saw a lot of time as a pass rusher as a true freshman but has really matured physically and is now a solid every down defender at the point of attack.
5) What part of the team are you most confident in for sustaining the rest of the season, and what part are you most worried about?Outside of KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson the secondary has looked a little iffy in spots. I don’t think they’ve been challenged by anyone on Keelan Russell‘s level, especially not with the complement of receivers that he has. So that one is a bit of a worry.
The veteran offensive line on the other hand has been generally solid. Also, the early schedule has allowed Georgia to play a lot of guys up front for significant snaps, a great benefit given that offensive line injuries are just a fact of life in the SEC. I think that’s the group that sustains this team if they make a deep playoff run.
6) For your money, is the winner of this game this weekend the best team in the country?
The winner of this one will certainly have an argument for having the best win in the country outside of Texas’s victory over Ohio State. And I would argue that if the winner looks good from start to finish, it probably won’t even be up for debate.
That being said, as long as this one is close, similar to the last regular season meeting, I don’t think the loser has a whole lot to worry about in the playoff picture. Both of these teams have looked like top five squads, so far, and really only have so many opportunities to stumble between here in December.
7) what’s your game prediction?
It’s looking more and more like the weather is going to allow for a full stadium, and that’s a real advantage for the Tide. The -1.5 line for Alabama tells me that the boys in Vegas see this one about the way I do: a toss up between two very evenly matched teams on a neutral field, which is not where the game will be played. I foresee Alabama at home making enough plays to pull this one out in the second half then hold on at the end, 31-27.
