Georgia dominates Alabama to win SEC title

Gunner Stockton threw three touchdown passes as No. 3 Georgia solidified its position for a first-round bye in the College Football Play off and beat Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game for the first time, pounding the ninth-ranked Crimson Tide 28-7 on Saturday.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

ZACHARIAH BRANCH and the Bulldogs solidified a first-round bye in the CFP.

Georgia (12-1) had been 0-4 against Alabama in the SEC title game and 1-7 against the Crimson Tide under coach Kirby Smart. Playing in their fifth straight league championship game, the Bulldogs earned their fourth title under Smart and 16th overall.

The lopsided loss forces Alabama (10-3) to worry about its standing with the College Football Playoff selection committee. The Crimson Tide were believed to be in good position when they moved up one spot in last week’s CFP ranking, but the loss to the Bulldogs provides renewed cause for concern that the Crimson Tide could miss the playoff for the second consecutive season under coach Kalen DeBoer.

Georgia led 21-0 before Alabama’s Ty Simpson threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Germie Bernard early in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs turned two game-changing plays into first-half touchdowns and a 14-0 lead.

Cole Speer’s block of Blake Doud’s punt in the first quarter allowed Georgia to start a drive at the Alabama 21.