It’s unstoppable force versus immovable object.

The rest of the nation will be paying close attention when a potent Georgia running game led by Heisman Trophy candidate Nick Chubb matches up against a stingy Alabama defense in what promises to be a battle for the ages when the No. 8 Bulldogs and No. 13 Crimson Tide square off between the hedges on Saturday for their first regular season meeting since 2008.

“This game is a line of scrimmage game for both teams,” Dawgs coach Mark Richt said during Tuesday’s weekly press conference. “It’s going to start there, but, somewhere along the line, our quarterbacks are going to have to make plays.”

Undefeated Georgia (4-0, 2-0 SEC) enters the game ranked second in the conference in scoring at 45.5 points per game, while Alabama ranks fourth in the SEC in scoring defense at 17.5 PPG. The Dawgs’ ability to run the football has been the key to their success, but they will face their toughest challenge yet this week. Georgia ranks second in the SEC in rushing at 257.8 yards per game. Chubb has been the tip of the spear for the attack, ranking fifth nationally with 599 yards on 71 carries (8.4 average) and six touchdowns.

The sophomore tailback leads the nation with his 12 consecutive games of at least 100 yards rushing and could join rarified air by topping Herschel Walker’s school record of 12 should he do so again at Alabama’s expense (Walker did it in 13 straight, including a bowl, but bowl game stats didn’t count back then). Backup Sony Michel is an explosive change-of-pace back who will also have to contribute in both the running and passing games. Michel is Georgia’s second-leading rusher (55.8 YPG) and second-leading receiver (37.0 YPG).

But it won’t come easy against a stalwart Crimson Tide front seven that is led by senior linebacker Reggie Ragland. Alabama leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally in rushing defense at 56.8 yards per game.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us,” Richt said.

The Crimson Tide has struggled somewhat in the past when teams hurry up on offense and prevent them from substituting as freely as coach Nick Saban would like. Georgia has often employed the hurry-up attack and will likely do so again in an attempt to make more offensive progress.

That means that Bulldogs quarterback Greyson Lambert will have to continue having the hot hand and make enough plays through the air to keep an aggressive Crimson Tide defense at bay. Lambert paces the SEC and ranks second nationally with his 76.5 completion percentage.

Alabama quarterback Jake Coker will likewise be forced to make plays with his arm as he faces a very tough Bulldogs defense loaded with playmakers.

In other press conference news:

  • Richt began his press conference by asking Bulldog Nation and everybody else to remember injured Southern University football player Devon Gales by financially contributing to the accounts being set up to help defer his expenses. The Jaguars receiver suffered a spinal cord injury during the previous week’s game at Georgia and remains hospitalized in Athens.
  • Richt said Bulldogs kicker Marshall Morgan visited Gales in the hospital earlier this week. It was Morgan who collided with Gales on the kickoff in which he was hurt.
  • In other injury news, fullback Christian Payne (leg) and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (shoulder) are out for this week’s game. Cornerback Rico McGraw (knee) is questionable, while outside linebacker Davin Bellamy (concussion) is probable, Richt said.