Georgia vs. Alabama: Kickoff, Storm Forecast and What a Win Means for CFP Hopes
Alabama hosts Georgia on Saturday night with Tropical Storm Isaias nearby and a possible jump over Texas in one CBS Sports resume ranking at stake.
Georgia-Alabama is the biggest game of the week in college football, and fans are searching for two things: when it starts and whether a Gulf storm will get in the way. There is also a lot on the line for the College Football Playoff picture.
Kickoff and weather
The sources describe the game as Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, but none of them gives an exact kickoff time, so check the official TV listing before you tune in.
As of Yahoo Sports' report on Wednesday, Alabama said the game would go ahead as scheduled. A storm that formed in the Gulf of Mexico was upgraded to Tropical Storm Isaias, and forecasters expect it to become a hurricane. One meteorologist called the situation a potential "nightmare" for the game.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said different kickoff times had been discussed, but that the forecast for the game was looking more favorable. Other games in the region have already been affected. FAMU-Alabama State was moved to Friday, and West Florida's Week 6 game was canceled, according to the headlines Yahoo collected.
The weather outlook can change quickly, so check for updates close to game day.
The playoff stakes
CBS Sports ranks teams with a "resume" system that scores every win between 0 and 1. The value depends on how likely an average No. 25 team would be to win that game, based on the opponent's ranking and the location.
Under that system, a home win over Georgia, ranked No. 2 in the CBS Sports 138, would add +0.89 to Alabama's resume score. A loss would cost only -0.11, because an average No. 25 team would be expected to lose that home game 89% of the time.
Alabama rose from No. 4 to No. 2 in this week's resume ranking after winning at Mississippi State. CBS says the Crimson Tide are likely to pass Texas for No. 1 with a win over Georgia, even if Texas beats Oklahoma. In CBS's view, a win over the struggling Sooners on a neutral field would not give the Longhorns a big resume boost.
Note that rankings differ by outlet. ESPN and Yahoo list Georgia as No. 2 and Alabama as No. 6, which appears to refer to a different ranking than the CBS resume list.
Injuries to watch
ESPN reports that Georgia will be without key running back Bowens. Alabama tight end Ford has said he hopes to play despite a broken arm. Neither report here confirms his status.
What it means for you
If you plan to watch or attend, confirm the kickoff time and channel on the official schedule, and keep an eye on local weather alerts if you are travelling to Tuscaloosa. Alabama's statement that the game is on could change if the storm's path shifts.
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Quick answers
Is the Georgia-Alabama game still on?
Alabama said on Wednesday that the game is set to be played as scheduled. Storm forecasts could still change that.
What happens if Alabama loses?
In CBS Sports' resume system, a loss at home to Georgia would cost Alabama only -0.11, a small hit compared with other upset losses.
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