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The Big Ten Championship isn’t the only championship taking place on Saturday, of course.
Prior to the B1G clash, the SEC had its own clash with No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Georgia. The Bulldogs led for most of the game, but in the end, backup QB Jalen Hurts sealed the deal for the Crimson Tide as SEC champions with a 35-28 win.
After the game, Georgia coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media. As the No. 4 team in the country and coming off a loss, the Bulldogs need to do all the campaigning they can to stay in the Top 4 for the College Football Playoff.
Here’s Smart’s pitch:
"I promise you, they don't want to play us."
Georgia coach Kirby Smart had a strong message for why the Dawgs should remain in the #CFBPlayoff. pic.twitter.com/K7Oi8BEV1S
— ESPN (@espn) December 2, 2018
Smart’s point is simple. Is Georgia, at 11-2, more deserving than 4 teams to be in the playoff? Maybe not.
But are the Bulldogs — especially after that performance against Alabama — one of the 4 best teams in the country?
Most likely.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.