Former Georgia running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel believe the Bulldogs can and will beat Alabama in the SEC Championship game Dec. 1.
“Georgia is going to come out on top, because it’s revenge season,” said Michel, now a running back for the New England Patriots. “Yes Alabama has a great team, great defense, all-around team, but Georgia has a great team, also.”
Chubb, UGA’s No. 2 all-time leading rusher and the starting running back for the Cleveland Browns, agreed.
“We just have a bad taste in our mouth from last year, and I know Coach (Kirby) Smart will bring it up to guys how it went down last year,” Chubb said. “The guys haven’t forgot, and I think they’ll go in there and play the hardest game they’ve played all year and win.”
Chubb and Michel set an NCAA record for most yards by a duo with 8,382 yards during their careers together with the Bulldogs, which culminated with an SEC title and runner-up finish in the College Football Playoff Championship Game.
- Ex-UGA QB weighs in on Georgia-Alabama matchup
Michel said he watches the team regularly on Saturdays.
“Every time it’s game day, I’m right in front of the TV,” Michel said. “I see a group of young guys playing with each other, trusting the process and trusting what Coach is telling them.”
Chubb said he takes great satisfaction in seeing how the Bulldogs backs have grown and improved this season.
“It’s their time to shine, Swift and Holyfield are killing it,” Chubb said. “It’s very special, and it’s a great place to be to be a running back here at Georgia.”
Michel said last season’s mindset has carried over, and that was the advice given when the Bulldogs’ run game had its struggles earlier in the season.
“We were trying to tell them that this team goes as the running back goes, and that was our mindset last year, and it carried over to this year,” Michel said. “As the running back goes, the team is going to go.”
