As if Alabama needed any extra motivation as an underdog for the first time in six years Saturday at Georgia, the Bulldogs provided some during pre-game warmups.
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The two teams started jawing and bumping chests near the sideline, causing a rivalry stir that triggered emotions on both sides.
“We took it as a sort of disrespect,” said Alabama defensive back Eddie Jackson, according to AL.com. “But like I said, it was going to motivate us. It’s what got us going but we still have to focus on what we had to accomplish.”
By the second quarter, the Crimson Tide had their foot squarely on the gas, quieting a sellout crowd of 92,000 with a blocked punt return for a score and Jake Coker’s bomb to Calvin Ridley that gave Alabama a 21-point lead.
Jackson’s interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter sealed the deal and nixed any murmurs that the Crimson Tide’s fall from the mountain was complete.
“You have to keep your cool and just go out and be ready to warm up and not worry about all that jibber jabber,” Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland said.
