There are many storylines in the SEC title game between Alabama and Georgia and the ACC title game between FSU and Georgia Tech.
GEORGIA’S STRUGGLES VS. TOP FOES: From 2002 through Jan. 1, 2008, Georgia, under Mark Richt, was 22-10 against ranked teams. Since then, they are 7-14. Georgia has faced just two nationally ranked teams this season. The Bulldogs beat Florida 17-9 and lost to South Carolina 35-7. Georgia has struggled the past few seasons against nationally ranked opponents, losing eight of its last 11 games to teams ranked in the Top 25. The win over Florida on Oct. 27 was Georgia’s first win against a top-10 opponent since the 2009 season and its first win against an SEC team ranked in the Top 10 since beating No. 9 Florida 42-30 in 2007.
TIDE SUCCESSS AGAINST TOP FOES: Alabama is 3-1 against nationally ranked teams this season and have won nine of their past 11 games against nationally ranked foes.
TIDE DEFENSE SUPERLATIVES: Alabama has the nation’s best defense in points allowed and the second best in rushing yards allowed. The Crimson Tide forced three-and-out’s versus opposing offenses 45 percent of the time which was second best in the country. Last week, they forced Auburn into three turnovers which was significant considering the prior three games combined they forced only one turnover. Since 2008, Alabama is 18-0 when they force three turnovers in a game. In Alabama’s seven losses since 2008 only once (LSU 2011 a 9-6 loss) did they force two turnovers and lose.
KEY MATCHUP: Alabama’s defensive front against Georgia’s offensive line. The Bulldogs will have to find a way to give quarterback Aaron Murray enough time to throw while opening holes for freshman backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall behind a young line that includes freshman right tackle John Theus and sophomore center David Andrews.
GURLEY ON FIRE: Gurley is only the second true freshman in Georgia history to rush for 1,000 yards. He is one score away from tying the school mark for touchdowns by a first-year player held by Herschel Walker’s 15 scores in 1980. Gurley could become the SEC’s leading rusher with 44 yards. He has had 176 attempts, but only lost 28 yards all season.
DIFFERENT FOE FOR TIDE: The Bulldogs are making their fourth appearance in the game, while the Crimson Tide is making its eighth. This will be the first time Alabama has not faced Florida in the game.
MURRAY EFFECTIVE: Murray may be the nation’s top-rated passer, but he struggled against Georgia’s two toughest opponents: a loss to South Carolina and a win over Florida. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw for 150 yards or less against both teams. Recently, he has gone five and half games without throwing an interception which was the longest period of time in his career. Murray has 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last four wins.
DAWG OFFENSE EXPLOSIVE: Georgia is second to only Texas A&M (90) with 75 offensive explosive plays on the season.
OTHER STATS: Alabama is 48-0 since 2008 when rushing for over 150 yards. They also have the league’s best red zone offense scoring just over 90 percent of the time. Alabama is fourth in the league with 20 sacks allowed and Georgia is fifth with 22 sacks allowed. Alabama is plus-14 and Georgia plus-9 in turnover margin
FLORIDA STATE VS. GEORGIA TECH IN THE ACC TITLE GAME: For the first time in the history of the ACC title game, Florida State and Georgia Tech will meet. Georgia Tech won its last four ACC games to get to 5-3 in conference play, which placed it in a three-way tie with two ineligible teams North Carolina and Miami at the top of the Coastal.
SERIES RECORD: FSU, 7-1 in ACC play, lost only to NC State, 17-16. Florida State holds a 12-9-1 edge in the overall series, but Georgia Tech has claimed the last two in this series.
TECH DEFENSE STRUGGLES: Even after firing coordinator Al Groh, Tech’s defense has allowed at least 40 points in three out of its last six games. The Yellow Jackets rank sixth or worse in the ACC in total, scoring, sacks per game and pass defense.
BALL SECURITY FOR NOLES: The main concern for Florida State’s offense is turnovers. They have committed 23 turnovers this season. If Georgia Tech doesn’t win the turnover battle, it’s hard to see their defense being able to slow down the Florida State attack.
NOLES COACHING CHANGE: How will the news of FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops being named as the head coach at Kentucky affect the team? The guess here is very little because the players should adapt quickly.
TECH’S OFFENSE: The Yellow Jackets have scored at least 30 points in seven out of their eight conference games, including 68 in a win over North Carolina on Nov. 10. Vad Lee, the better runner and Tevin Washington, the better passer, have shared the quarterback duties over the second half of the season. Tech, who averages 323.3 rushing yards per game this season, is led by Orwin Smith with 673 yards and five touchdowns. Smith is battling an ankle injury.
HEISMAN POSSIBILITIES: Heisman votes are due on Monday. Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel’s, Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o, Kansas State’s Collin Klein seem to be the top three in many voters’ minds.
COACHING CAROUSEL: Here are some possibilities for coaching replacements in the SEC/ACC from several different sources.
AUBURN: Potential candidates: Former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, TCU coach Gary Patterson, Louisville coach Charlie Strong, Arkansas State coach Gus Malzahn, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.
ARKANSAS: Potential candidates: Patterson, Strong, Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes, Baylor coach Art Briles, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville, former North Carolina coach Butch Davis.
TENNESSEE: Potential candidates: Gruden, Strong, Patterson, Fisher, Briles, Gundy, Cincinnati coach Butch Jones, Miami coach Al Golden, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE: Potential candidates: Dykes, Jones, Taggart, Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris, Kent State coach Darrell Hazell, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren.