The clash between rivals is a test for two college football powerhouses

In earlier eras of college football, such as when formulas determined the national championship game, or in the last decade when only four teams made the playoffs, a game like No. 2 Georgia’s visit to fourth-seeded Alabama on Saturday would have mattered can be a de facto knockout game.

The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams this season has left more room for error for teams with national title aspirations that compete in the sport’s four strongest conferences.

But that doesn’t mean the stakes are necessarily lower when the unbeaten Southeastern Conference rivals meet on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

According to ESPN, Alabama (3-0) is an underdog at home for the first time since 2007. Long the SEC’s standard-bearer under former coach Nick Saban, Alabama now has its first opportunity under his successor, first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, to show that it continues to be a credible title threat – a distinction that Georgia has The team this season is still trying to prove itself.

Although the Bulldogs (3-0) have won two national championships under Kirby Smart, a former Saban staffer, and opened this season with an 81-6 win over their first two opponents, they fell just short at 13-12 last week prevail against Kentucky and give up one point in the polls afterwards.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, a second-year starter, has never thrown an interception and has helped the Bulldogs score every time they were inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. But Georgia also has imperfections, such as its 74th third-down conversion rate, its 81st third-down defense and its numerous penalties.

Alabama also struggled in key areas, including limiting its penalties and errors. And yet, with the fifth-best pass defense in the country, it could have enough personnel to limit Beck, starting with Keon Sabb, who has already intercepted three passes in three games this season.

Since 2008, Alabama has won eight of its last nine games against Georgia.