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BS. They threw the conference title game. Suuuure they did. They didn't play to win hoping their QB would come around.

Saban on the other hand, benches Jalen Hurts and goes with a freshman in the National Title game.

Then Hurts comes in for Tua, who was playing badly and rolled an ankle in the SECCG, and beats UGA's flea bitten carcass.

UGA threw the SECCG hoping Stetson Bennett would get his confidence back.... What you mutts can't admit is injuries to Bama saved you. You didn't have anyone that could stop John Metchie and Jameson Williams. Plus Bama's starting corners went down.

That was not going to change and Stetson Bennett couldn't cover them either. You caught some injury luck but you'll never admit it. It's part of football that's how it goes. But you and I both know you don't beat Alabama if they all play. Confident QB or no.

The point is...Saban is the GOAT for a reason. He plays to win them ALL. Kirby perhaps should take a look in the mirror and think about why he's 1=5 vs that man, and lucky to be that.

No one is suggesting they threw anything...what is being suggested is knowing their spot in the playoffs was pretty much secured, they did not risk team chemistry by doing everything they could to secure the win. There were many factors in the game. UGA was thin at several key positions...at the time of the SEC CG UGA was less talented and less deep than Alabama. When complete and healthy though they had run the regular season without a loss with Bennett at QB. The biggest reason Bennett was the QB was not talent, which he had more of enough of, it was comprehension of the system and team chemistry. Knowing that they would most likely live to play again with a full roster that was closer in talent and depth than it was during the SEC CG the risk assessment was to dance with the one that brung you.

This is the same premise as the 2017 National Title Game in reverse. Alabama and UGA were closely matched in talent and depth. Alabama's starting QB was struggling. There was no chance of living to play again that season...it was the last game possible, no matter the outcome. Saban made the switch and won the game. Had it been the SEC Title game and their spot was basically secured regardless of the outcome it is possible that he does not make the change.

Saban did the same thing in 2018 when the likely CFB playoff teams were all going to most likely be Conference Champions and an undefeated Notre Dame. Alabama was not going to get in with 1 loss to UGA with UGA being a one loss SEC Champion, an undefeated Clemson, also a conference champion, an undefeated Notre Dame, always a darling, and a one loss conference champion in Oklahoma. That game was a must win for both teams to get into the playoff. Saban made the change, also largely due to Tua being nearly crippled, and won the game. Had Alabama's spot in the playoff be pretty much ensured regardless of the outcome of the SEC CG like UGAs was in 2021 it is doubtful that Tua would have started the game at all due to lingering injuries.