Georgia Bulldogs at Alabama Crimson Tide

Injuries noted

Georgia Bulldogs: Thomas Blackshear (out) — WR #2 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Chauncey Bowens (out) — RB #5 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Isiah Canion (out) — WR #6 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Amaris Williams (out) — OLB #17 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Tyriq Green (out) — S #23 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Marcus Harrison (out) — OL #76 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report

Alabama Crimson Tide: Justin Hill (out) — LB #8 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Desmond Umeozulu (out) — LB #9 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Jorden Edmonds (questionable) — DB #16 listed Questionable on the SEC Update 2 report; Cayden Jones (out) — LB #23 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Nick Sherman (out) — DB #29 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report; Josh Ford (questionable) — TE #40 listed Questionable on the SEC Update 2 report; Jeremiah Beaman (out) — DL #92 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report

QUARTERBACK

• Keelon Russell is ALA's confirmed starter

  10.74 Y/A

  Keelon Russell is ALA's confirmed starting quarterback. October 9 reporting ahead of the Georgia game identifies Russell as Alabama's QB1 and states that he won the starting job over Austin Mack. 2026 line: 1407 passing yards, 71.0% completions, 10.74 yards per attempt, 11-2 TD-INT over 5 games.

• Gunner Stockton is UGA's confirmed starter

  10.28 Y/A

  Gunner Stockton is UGA's confirmed starting quarterback. Georgia's October 5 Alabama game preview identifies Stockton as its established starting quarterback, discusses his current starting record, and details his most recent start against Vanderbilt. October 7 matchup reporting also identifies him as Georgia's quarterback. 2026 line: 1049 passing yards, 75.5% completions, 10.28 yards per attempt, 13-1 TD-INT over 5 games.

PACE & SCRIPT

• ALA: 33:13 time of possession per game to UGA's 22:46

  10:26 TOP

  Alabama holds the ball about a third longer than Georgia does, so the Tide are dictating pace and Georgia's offense is spending a lot of time on the sideline. Georgia ran 33:53 last season, so their 22:46 over five games is a big break from their usual style. Alabama sits close to its 31:35 from last season. In Tuscaloosa, a Georgia team that keeps getting outpossessed has fewer snaps to work with, and that matters for its team total.

MISMATCH

• ALA: 33:13 of possession a game to UGA's 22:46

  33:13 VS 22:46

  Alabama holds the ball 33:13 a game over five games, close to last season's 31:35, while Georgia has dropped to 22:46 from 33:53. Georgia's drop is the outlier and probably reflects how its games have played out, so expect it to move back toward normal. At home, Alabama can shorten the game with long drives. Georgia has to win possession battles to keep Alabama's offense off the field.

REPLACEMENT

• Thomas Blackshear (WR) is out for UGA

  OUT

  WR #2 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Chauncey Bowens (RB) is out for UGA

  OUT

  RB #5 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Isiah Canion (WR) is out for UGA

  OUT

  WR #6 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Amaris Williams (LB) is out for UGA

  OUT

  OLB #17 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Tyriq Green (S) is out for UGA

  OUT

  S #23 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Marcus Harrison (OL) is out for UGA

  OUT

  OL #76 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Justin Hill (LB) is out for ALA

  OUT

  LB #8 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Desmond Umeozulu (LB) is out for ALA

  OUT

  LB #9 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Cayden Jones (LB) is out for ALA

  OUT

  LB #23 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Nick Sherman (DB) is out for ALA

  OUT

  DB #29 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

• Jeremiah Beaman (DL) is out for ALA

  OUT

  DL #92 listed Out on the SEC Update 2 report SEC availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-09 19:10:00 CT) (2026-10-09)

SITUATIONAL

• No. 2 Georgia at No. 6 Alabama

  #2 VS #6

  Both teams are 5-0, but voters see a clear gap: Georgia has 1647 points and 6 first-place votes, Alabama 1460 and none. Alabama moved up one spot this week while Georgia held, so the room between them is shrinking. A home win would likely flip the order, and Georgia has more ranking to lose on the road. Spots like this ask whether you trust the poll gap or the home field more.

TEAM RECORD

• SEC game: UGA 3-0, ALA 3-0 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the SEC. UGA is 3-0 against it, ALA is 3-0. 2026 standings through 2026-10-10.