I will try to put a few facts/observations in here and hope we will cash.
To me there are 4 biggest attributes in these big games:
Coaching (discipline/preparation & scheming/in-game adjustments)
Star-Talents: QB is the most important factor/RB and WR ... and DEPTH
Battle-tested: This is why non-SEC teams flopped so much when faced SEC heavy-weight in big games.
And of course "LUCK" lol
We all know by now Saban has beaten Smart 4 straight times the past 4 years. In 3 big games
(2 Conf-Champs and 1 National-Champs) Alabama outplayed Bulldogs on both sides of the ball.
The Tide kept Georgia much below their seasons' averages: 10.6 ppg on Off and 18.2 ppg on Def below.
It's more evident to see the Saban's effect in Second Halves as Georgia typically jumped out to a lead then
gave all back in 2H. Remember the Nat-Champs game vs Georgia when Tide's QB Jalen Hurts struggled mightily
in 1H, and Saban pulled him out and put in a freshman QB named Tua... Until Smart proves he can beat Saban.....
As far as star-talents, QB Young is by far better than Bennett. Watch for Bennett to make a few mistakes.
Missing the #2 WR J. Mitchie will hurt but Alabama does have more offensive weapons at disposal.
However the Bulldogs has only TE Bowers as the legit threat on offense, they can't spread the field.
Alabama defense is probably the biggest concern, but Bulldogs offense is not the kind of wide-open, explosive
offense that will run all over the Tide defense. I believe Tide's defense will keep them contained enough
so their explosive offense can keep the game under control
As far as Battle-Tested, the concern I have here is Georgia had 4 common opponents in 2021,
(Florida, Tenn, Arkansas and Auburn) and Georgia certainly had upper hands over Alabama in handling these 4 teams.
And of course the MOST important attribute "LUCK" and I have pretty BAD luck so speak.
At the end. I would take a better Coach and a much better QB in this game.
Good luck everyone.