ESPN analyst ranks Georgia-Alabama classic among 2025’s best games
By David Wasson
Published:
Whenever Georgia and Alabama have played each other in recent years, there are sure to be fireworks – with the exception of the 2025 SEC title game that the Bulldogs won handily 28-7.
The Georgia-Alabama game on Sept. 27, on the other hand, was a classic – and was included at No. 25 in ESPN analyst Bill Connelly’s best 100 games of the 2025 college football season.
Alabama entered the game in Athens ranked No. 17 and still smarting from its season-opening loss to Florida State, while Georgia was No. 5 in the nation at 3-0. But when it was over, Alabama ended Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak and improved coach Kalen DeBoer’s record against the Bulldogs to 2-0.
Tide quarterback Ty Simpson passed for 276 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score, and Alabama held on late to earn the victory against a Georgia team that fell to 1-7 against the Tide under coach Kirby Smart.
Georgia freshman Chauncey Bowens rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries as part of the Bulldogs’ 220-yard ground effort. But quarterback Gunner Stockton was just 13-of-20 for 130 yards in the defeat – the first by Georgia at Sanford Stadium since a 20-17 loss to South Carolina in double overtime on Oct. 12, 2019.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
