Georgia’s recent history against Alabama is most unpleasant

The Bulldogs haven't defeated the Crimson Tide since 2007. And their last meeting just brought up all kinds of conspiracy theories about the officiating.

Saturday's SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (4 p.m., CBS; News 95.5 and AM-750 WSB) serves as a grudge match for the Bulldogs, following their stunning national championship loss in overtime to Alabama on the same field earlier this year.

Alabama leads the overall series 39-25-4.

Georgia and Alabama don’t meet often due to SEC’s 6-1-1 scheduling. The rotation makes UGA oppose two SEC West schools per season, but one is always Auburn because of the conference’s protected rivalry stipulation. Alabama’s fixed cross-divisional opponent is Tennessee.

Georgia won’t travel to Tuscaloosa until 2020 despite the schools’ last regular-season meeting coming in 2015. They met in consecutive seasons in 2007 and 2008, but the additions of Missouri and Texas A&M to the SEC altered future schedules.

Georgia has faced Alabama just five times in the Nick Saban era, and only once for the conference title.

The Bulldogs’ lone win in nearly a decade  was a, 26-23, overtime win behind quarterback Matthew Stafford in Nick Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa.

The past four meetings haven’t been so kind to Georgia.

The Crimson Tide got revenge for its loss with a, 41-30, win in 2008. The Bulldogs entered that season No. 1, but those dreams died when Alabama rushed out to a 31-0 lead.

They wouldn’t clash again until 2012, a meeting that still lives in infamy to Georgia fans.

Aaron Murray and crew’s final drive fell just short as time expired, crowning Alabama SEC champs with a 32-28 victory. The win sent the Tide to the championship, where it stomped Notre Dame.

Alabama went to Athens in 2015, building a 24-3 halftime lead en route to a 38-10 win.

Their last meeting — the aforementioned College Football Playoff fiasco — ended in the most unpleasant way.

With their first posession in overtime, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completes a 41-yard touchdown pass to freshman Devonta Smith for a touchdown -- and the win. (Video by Ben Brasch / AJC)