This is the second time in seven seasons the National Championship will be a showdown between two SEC teams: Alabama + Georgia.

Some felt Alabama didn’t belong in the playoffs given their recent loss to rival Auburn, a team defeated by Clemson (who was ranked #1) in September. Alabama didn’t play in the 2017 SEC Championship, but the Tide proved everyone wrong by defeating Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.

Georgia also suffered a defeat to Auburn in the regular season + played the Tigers again in the SEC Championship game – this time leaving with a W. Georgia then fought to defeat Oklahoma in a double OT nail-biter.

What you need to know for tonight’s game (kickoff is at 8 p.m.; airing on ESPN):

Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart recently coached at Alabama as a defense coordinator.
Alabama WR Calvin Ridley’s younger brother is a wide receiver at Georgia, and now the two will square off in the title game (their mom must be proud).
President Donald Trump will be in attendance at the CFP title game – so fans can expect heightened security.
Alabama leads in wins between the two teams: Alabama 38 vs. Georgia 25
Alabama is projected to win (but barely): Alabama 23, Georgia 16
The game has pinged Atlanta as the college football capital, with both teams in driving distance to the stadium.
- 📍 From Sanford Stadium in Athens to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in ATL: 1 hr 33 min
- 📍 From Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Al. to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in ATL: 3 hr 26 min

2 min read / GVLtoday