It’s getting close. Alabama football will face Georgia for the Southeastern Conference Championship for the third time. The game will begin at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday in Atlanta. But who will play for the Tide and the Bulldogs?
In the days building up to the game, both Nick Saban and Kirby Smart have had to deal with significant injuries. When reporters enquired about their availability during news conferences, each coach played coy. As a result, when both teams took the field around 90 minutes before start, everyone looked around to see who was warming up.
Running back Jase McClellan of the Crimson Tide went through light drills inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for early stretching. McClellan wore his helmet and complete outfit but did not participate when the Tide returned to the field in uniform. Instead, he stood near the coaches, clapping with them.
After leaving last weekend’s Iron Bowl on crutches, Saban claimed McClellan couldn’t “do a lot” in practice this week. As of Thursday, Saban saw McClellan as “questionable.”
McClellan leads the team in rushing with 803 yards and six touchdowns. If he is unable to participate, senior Roydell Williams and second-year player Jam Miller will take over in the backfield. Freshman Justice Haynes has also seen more playing time in recent weeks and might play a role in his home state return.
Meanwhile, Brock Bowers (ankle), Ladd McConkey (ankle), Rara Thomas (foot), and guard Tate Ratledge (knee) were all injured for the Bulldogs. Bowers and Thomas were spotted on the field, going through drills and running routes.
Bowers, one of the top offensive weapons in the country, with six touchdowns and 51 receptions for 73.4 yards per game. McConkey (418 yards) and Thomas (383 yards) are fourth and fifth in receiving yards, respectively.
Bowers has missed three games this season and was ruled out of Georgia Tech’s rivalry matchup last week. McConkey, a junior with only 26 catches and two touchdowns, was similarly limited. Thomas, a native of Eufaula, Alabama, has started 11 of 12 games.
Smart noted in his final press conference before game time that Ratledge was able to participate in one-on-one practice during the week. Dylan Fairchild, a redshirt sophomore, is listed beneath Ratledge on UGA’s depth chart.
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