The old saying goes, “history repeats itself.” In most cases, the adage rings true over time. Nevertheless, in rare instances, we see history broken & repeated in real time. In my opinion, sustained greatness is often unappreciated in the current time we live in – especially in sports and entertainment. Sports fanatics are usually yearning for something new & enthralling. While understandable, that shouldn’t stop us from realizing when we’re in the midst of witnessing something not only special in the moment, but something truly historic.

We’re watching football history unfold and repeat itself right now within the programs of the University of Georgia & the University of Alabama. Georgia is on a 28 game win streak – the longest in the nation – coming off back to back National Championships, and is looking to tie the SEC record for most consecutive conference wins (28) when they travel to Knoxville to battle the Tennessee Volunteers. Anytime you’re vying for records set by Alabama coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant & Gene Stallings, you’re truly in the midst of something special. Head coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have that chance on Saturday. We’re already watching arguably the greatest three year stretch in history, but with three more wins, there won’t even be a debate.

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have the opportunity to make and repeat history on Saturday as well. When the Tide host Chattanooga in Bryant-Denny, they’ll be competing for the chance to win at least 10 games for the 16th consecutive season, an NCAA record. The record was initially broken last year after a home win over Auburn – separating from the tie with Bobby Bowden’s then unprecedented run at Florida State through the 80’s & 90’s. Over the duration of the Saban era, college football has undergone brisk upheaval multiple times. To find a way to consistently field contending teams throughout that stretch is nothing short of remarkable.

Alabama

1/9/22 – Indianapolis 2022 National Championship – Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal Constitution

While it’s already the most sustained run of excellence the sport has ever witnessed, it has a chance to be furthered Saturday & this one would be all the more impressive. After an early home loss to fellow top contender Texas, many, including factions of the Alabama and Georgia media & fanbases, didn’t expect Alabama to end up in this position. After replacing both coordinators, losing the best offensive and defensive player to the draft, and having an in season quarterback battle, this has been far from typical of a Nick Saban team. Regardless, we’re still here in the same position. History repeating itself.

On December 2nd, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome – the Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Georgia Bulldogs for the right to be crowned SEC Champion. College Football Playoff hopes, potential Heisman standing, & above all – pride will be on the line when these two familiar foes engage in battle for sixty minutes. Since 2007, these two have matched up nine times. Three of the matchups have been for the SEC Championship. Two more have been for the National Championship. Every one of those contests have been nationally ranked matchups, & in the last five meetings – both have been ranked top four nationally.

There’s simply nothing that compares to this game when it comes to stakes and quality of on field play at this juncture in college football. From the 2007 matchup where Georgia went into Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama in Coach Saban’s second season, to the 2015 game where Jacob Coker and the vaunted ‘15 Alabama defense went into Athens and pummeled the Bulldogs in the rain, to the 2017 National Championship & 2018 SEC Championship game where Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts engineered 4th quarter comebacks, this game never disappoints.

While Alabama has won seven of the last nine matchups, including the 2020 regular season contest and 2021 SEC Championship, Georgia won the most recent meeting for the 2022 National Championship. Since that breakthrough moment, the Georgia Bulldogs haven’t looked back. And while Alabama hasn’t been in pole position for a couple years, they’re still right there in the thick of the race & Georgia has them firmly in their side mirror down the home stretch. Something will have to give on December 2nd. Either the Bulldogs make more history, or the Tide returns to the top of the conference and adds to theirs.

I undoubtedly believe we’re at the zenith of the most prominent short term run in college football history and at the core of the greatest long term run in college football history. So regardless of what happens before then, or after, soak it all up. Because history will be made once again on December 2nd – and who knows when we’ll see another stretch like this again, if ever.