For the first time in almost 78 years, Georgia will take part in a regular-season game featuring two teams in the top three of the Associated Press poll.
This year it’s No. 2 Alabama against No. 3 Georgia, but when the schools met Oct. 31, 1942, the rankings were reversed. Since that day, Georgia has played in two bowl games and an SEC Championship game that featured both teams ranked as high as No. 3, but no regular-season game until now. The closest they came in the regular season took place Nov. 17, 1983, when No. 4 Georgia played host to No. 3 Auburn. This will be the third Georgia-Alabama game in less than three years in which both teams were in ranked the top four.
By the way, Georgia won 21-10 in that game in 1942.
This year, the pregame hype went away and turned into news that Alabama coach Nick Saban tested positive for the coronavirus. Saban went into in quarantine, and after a third negative test Saturday morning, his first test was ruled a false positive. Saban’s quarantine ended, and he will coach from the sidelines Saturday night.
Here is some important information regarding how to follow the action Saturday:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Before the game: “Bulldogs Game Day” airs at 11 a.m. on WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News. Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein and Heather Catlin host the show each Saturday.
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Records: No. 3 Georgia, 3-0, 3-0 SEC; No. 2 Alabama, 3-0, 3-0.
Television: CBS will televise the game. Brad Nessler will handle play-by-play, with Gary Danielson as the analyst and Jamie Erdahl as the sideline reporter.
Local radio: The game will be broadcast on the Georgia Bulldogs IMG Sports Network, heard in metro Atlanta on WSB 750/95.5. Scott Howard is handling play-by-play. Eric Zeier is the analyst, and Chuck Dowdle is the sideline reporter.
National radio: T.J. Rives (play by play) and Tiki Barber (analyst) by Compass Media Network
Satellite radio: You can listen on Sirius XM Radio 138/190/961.
Online: GeorgiaDogs.com