Wow. Roll Tide! I didn’t think I was going to write this version of the article: the advanced metrics favored the quite-efficient Georgia Bulldogs in this one. In fact, behind ESPN+’s paywall, SP+ still calls the Bulldogs the team with the better statistical profile.
But the Tide turned things around and won the thing. While the rhythm of the game felt different at times, the numbers both on the box score and in the advanced metrics mostly agree with the scoreboard, in that it was a close game. On the margins, it looked like the Dawgs would’ve won this one in a close game — see total yards, 3rd down efficiency, and sacks — but close games get decided in many ways.