CFP National Championship Game: Half time adjustments for Alabama and Georgia
The College Football Playoff National Championship Game is a one-score affair at half time. What changes does each side need to make in the second half?
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The All-SEC College Football Playoff National Championship Game has lived up to its billing at the midway point. Neither the Bulldogs or Tide have found the endzone yet. It’s starting to look like it might only take one or two touchdowns for either side to take a commanding lead in this one.
Both quarterbacks have done their part to keep the chains moving. Georgia freshman Jake Fromm is 11-for-23 for 126 yards with a handful of big third down conversions. Alabama’s Jalen Hurts was just 3-for-8 for 21 yards through the air in the first half but moved the ball effectively with his legs. He tallied six carries for 47 yards including a 31-yard scamper.
Both Kirby Smart and Nick Saban has proven they know their X’s and O’s. Both coaches have seen what the other is going to throw at them and are going to be ready to tweak their gameplans for the second half. Georgia leads 13-0, but this one is far from over. Here’s the biggest halftime adjustment that each team needs to make.
Alabama – Commit to getting Hurts in the open field
Nick Saban hasn’t been known for producing superstar passers at Alabama. Hurts is far from the most polished passer he’s had, but he’s quick. Hurts’ most successful plays during the first half came in the open field, forcing the Georgia defense to make instantaneous decisions. Whether it’s the option a trick play or two, Saban needs to get the ball in Hurts’ hands on the ground rather than asking him to drop back against the Georgia pass rush.
Next: 5 reasons Georgia beats Bama in Championship Game
Georgia – Don’t be afraid to take deep shots
Fromm hasn’t been perfect, but he’s been able to attack the Crimson Tide down field. Alabama is keying in on Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, leaving space in the secondary for Fromm. If he can connect on two long passes in the second half it might be enough to put the Bulldog lead outside of the reach of a lethargic Alabama offense.