Alabama Football: Tide clinch SEC West with win over Kentucky

Alabama football is headed back to Atlanta.

It’s a familiar spot for the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban. Since he took over in 2007, Alabama has been in 9-of-17 SEC title games. They’ve won eight of those nine.

The Crimson Tide were absolutely dominant at Kentucky on Saturday, clinching the SEC West crown and a spot in the conference title game with their 49-21 victory over the Wildcats.

Milroe Magic

Jalen Milroe led the way for the Tide, throwing for three touchdowns and finding paydirt for another three on the ground. He was running the Alabama offense for six touchdown drives, and he was responsible for every one of those scores.

Milroe’s stat line is especially staggering considering the fact that he didn’t even play for most of the fourth quarter.

Who will be the Tide’s dance partner in Atlanta?

As of Saturday afternoon, Alabama’s opponent in the SEC title game is yet to be determined.

The most likely foe for the Tide is Georgia, who can clinch the eastern side of the conference with a win over Ole Miss, or with a Missouri win over Tennessee.

It is a possibility, albeit a remote one, that Georgia and Missouri both finish 6-2 in the SEC, but the Bulldogs’ 30-21 victory a week ago gives Kirby Smart’s team the tiebreaker in that scenario.

Since Smart took over at Georgia, the former Alabama defensive coordinator is just 1-4 against Saban, winning the most recent matchup 33-18 in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game.

It’s been a one-sided series in recent years, but Georgia could change that narrative if they score a second-straight victory over the Crimson Tide. If the Bulldogs handle Ole Miss on Saturday night, they’ll get a chance to do so.