Rematch: the 2022 College Football National Championship
After a wild college football season, the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide took on the Georgia Bulldogs in a rematch of the SEC Championship.
University of Georgia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Georgia Bulldogs are National Champions after a 4 decade long wait.
It just means more.
After many ups and downs, the College Football Playoff was set for New Year’s Eve. Top ranked, SEC champion and defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide faced off against the heavy underdog, the American Conference champion Cincinnati Bearcats, the first Group of 5 team to make the playoff.
On the other side, the Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines took on the Georgia Bulldogs, the top ranked team until their SEC championship loss. Both games had similar results: SEC dominance. The Tide rolled Cincinnati 27-6 in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, while the Dawgs crushed That Team Up North 34-11 in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The Championship game would in effect be a rematch of the SEC championship game, where the Tide blew out the top ranked Bulldogs, 41-24 in Atlanta. Taking place at Lucas Oli Stadium in Indianapolis, a true neutral site for both teams, Georgia fan flocked to Indy for this game, causing multiple incidents in the city throughout the weekend.
On gameday, Georgia was favored by 2.5, although they were heavy underdogs. The first half was wildly uneventful, which a Bama lead of 6-9 (Nice). Fans online did not enjoy the field goals or the ACC referee crew. The 4th quarter was a cage fight, but eventually Georgia took an 8 point lead with 3:33 remaining. Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young marched down the field, and Georgia fans began having flashbacks to the 2018 National Championship.
Then a pick six by the Georgia defense with a minute remaining sealed the Bulldogs first title since 1980.
Georgia fans promptly lost their minds, and celebrations began throughout Athens and the rest of the state. UGA snapped a 7 game losing streak to the Tide, and Kirby Smart became the second former Saban assistant to beat Saban, joining Jimbo Fisher early this season.
For Georgia fans, this is a once in a lifetime moment for them. They have waited decades for this, coming close on multiple occasions, only to left heartbroken. Like the 2004 Red Sox, 2018 Eagles and 2016 Cubs, many fans can “finally die in peace.” The Dawgs are on top, the Tide had been rolled, and the attention of college athletics will soon move to basketball season.
