The 2018 National Championship started slow, but picked up in the second half. What did we learn from the battle between Alabama and Georgia?
The first half of the national title game was a snoozer between Alabama and Georgia, but if you like defense, it was exactly what you were looking for. However, the second half was much more intriguing for college football fans.
Although it was a battle between SEC teams — something many fans didn’t want to see — it turned into one of the more exciting games in recent memory. In fact, the start of the second half with Tua Tagovailoa starting in place of Jalen Hurts for Alabama was much more intriguing and explosive, offensively, for both teams.
The Crimson Tide overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to tie the game up at 20-20 with just seconds to go. Fortunately for fans, a missed chip-shot field goal with no time left in regulation led to another overtime battle in this year’s playoff — Georgia’s second in a row.
What’d we learn from the 2018 National Championship?
3. The SEC did not disappoint
Going into this game, I’ll admit I was skeptical of the matchup. I believed that the matchup between two SEC teams would be nothing more than an ugly defensive battle which would bore everyone to sleep.
Through the first half, it looked like my worries were warranted. However, the second half was much more exciting. What was the reason for the increase in competitiveness? Most likely the substitution the Tide made at quarterback, putting in Tua Tagovailoa over Jalen Hurts.
Georgia dominated the first half and the Tide came out swinging in the second half thanks to the spark lit by Tagovailoa. The game was much more intriguing and a first-half snoozer turned into an instant classic and all college football fans became winners.
Sure, it was an all-SEC battle, which can be tough to handle, but it did not disappoint. The nation’s two best teams reside in the Southeastern Conference.
2. There’ll be an interesting battle for SEC’s top QB in 2018
In recent years, the SEC has been known for mediocre quarterback play, but elite defense. However, the national title game proved that the opposite is about to be the case. Jake Fromm has been one of the top young quarterbacks in college football and he proved to be a stud in the title game against Alabama.
In fact, the freshman quarterback passed for 232 yards and a touchdown on 16-of-32 completions. He looked like a veteran under center and showed that the future for him is bright in the SEC as potentially the league’s best quarterback heading into 2018.
There will be some competition from other starting quarterbacks and one was on the opposite sideline. No, I’m not talking about Jalen Hurts, but freshman and former five-star recruit Tua Tagovailoa. He came in for Hurts to start the second half and looked like an instant star.
Hurts had trouble moving the ball down the field for the entirety of the first half, but on the freshman’s second drive in the second half, he led the Tide to a quick score, making it 13-7 Georgia. He finished 13-of-23 with 125 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.
While he hasn’t won the starting job for 2018 yet, Tagovailoa’s performance against the Bulldogs looks to be the start of something special.
1. Tua Tagovailoa just became an Alabama legend
What a game. Coming in to start the second half with little experience during the regular season and essentially no meaningful snaps under his belt, Tua Tagovailoa showed he wasn’t worried about the pressure. He was calm, cool and collected and made some Heisman-like throws on his way to a huge come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs.
The freshman quarterback was one of the best prospects out of high school and proved to be an unbelievable talent. Not many first-year players can come in off the sideline after sitting for the first half of a national title game and lead a team to a 26-point performance in the final 30 minutes.
Tagovailoa made smart play after smart play and showcased an electric arm all throughout the second half, leading the Tide back to a tie game with Georgia at 20-20. They were in field goal position to win in regulation, but Andy Pappanastos missed an easy chip shot which would have still made Tagovailoa a legend, but he cemented his legacy in overtime.
After taking a bad sack on the first Alabama possession in overtime, down 23-20, Tagovailoa made up for the freshman mistake by hitting DeVonta Smith for a 41-yard game-winning touchdown.
This is not a freshman throw.
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Tagovailoa is now a legend in Tuscaloosa and he’s only played one half of meaningful football in his collegiate career.