Georgia-Alabama: Title-game predictions are in

Georgia, 23-20

“I’ll take Georgia and the points. I think Georgia is a more complete team. Georgia’s got the better kicking game. I’ll give the edge to Alabama on defense, and the edge to Georgia on offense. If it’s a close one and it comes down to three points here or there, I’ll give the nod to Georgia.”

Nathan Deal

Georgia governor

Georgia, by three points.

Deal declined to say why, but signed a proclamation that read: "There is just a little more wood to chop in this special season. I, therefore, call upon UGA fans in every corner of the state and those living across our nation and around the world to join me in cheering on the Dawgs as they once again take the field to kick off the 2018 College Football National Championship."

David Ralston

Georgia Speaker of the House

Georgia, by six points.

“Georgia wins – and there will not be as many points scored as there were in the Rose Bowl.”

Alex Wood

Dodgers (and ex-Braves) pitcher and former UGA standout

Georgia, 27-24

“The city of Atlanta and state of Georgia have put so much into this team and this season that there is no way the Dawgs are going home empty-handed.”

Josh Pastner

Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach

0-0 tie

“I think both teams won't score and the game ends in the first tie ever, and if Georgia Tech is not playing I don't root for anyone.”

Al Skinner

Kennesaw State men’s basketball coach

UGA, 28-18

“The senior leadership and the running attack will lead Georgia to victory.”

Alec Kann

Atlanta United goalkeeper

Georgia, 34-31

“I think the game comes down to quarterback play and even though Fromm is a freshman, I think he’s better than Hurts. A field goal from Rodrigo “Hot Rod” Blankenship will be the decider.”

Jeff Larentowicz

Atlanta United midfielder

Georgia, 35-34

“Everyone loves an under-dawg.”

Brad Guzan

Atlanta United goalkeeper

Georgia, 34-27

“The support of Mercedes-Benz Stadium will get behind the local guys.”

Michael Parkhurst

Atlanta United captain

Georgia, 17-13

“Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the atmosphere will bring out the Bulldogs’ best.”

Julian Gressel

Atlanta United midfielder

Georgia, 27-24

“I just have a gut feeling it’s Georgia’s year, especially at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.”

Andrew Carleton

Atlanta United midfielder

Georgia, 24-21

“Bulldogs will come out on top in a tight game.”

Rob Stone

Fox Sports host

Alabama, 27-24

“Since the whole ‘Does Bama deserve to be in the playoffs’ debate began, Nick Saban has been coaching with a chip on his shoulder, and has his players playing as underdogs. That’s good enough for me.”

Matthew Jordan

Former Georgia Tech quarterback

Alabama, 28-24

“I think Bama is on a mission this year.”

Carlos Bocanegra

Atlanta United vice president and technical director

Georgia, 30-28

“Alabama is tough, but it’s the Dawgs’ year. I’ve got to pull for the home team in my adopted city and state.”

Darren Eales

Atlanta United president

Alabama, 20-10

“I’ll be rooting for the Dawgs, but I just think Alabama is too tough and experienced.”

Chip Caray

Braves broadcaster and University of Georgia graduate

Georgia, 24-17

“Alabama’s D-line was awesome vs. Clemson, but UGA’s offense is better than the Tigers’ and Tide’s. If Dawgs win the trenches, they win the game.”

Anish Shroff

ESPN
Alabama, 27-10

“Bama stifles UGA's rushing attack.”

Dave LaMont

ESPN
Alabama, 21-17

“Crimson Tide could be the one team that can slow UGA’s run game. It’s one thing for Fromm to beat OU’s defense but quite another for him to beat Bama’s.”

Kevin Brown

ESPN 
Alabama, 26-10

“Nick Saban's 11-0 against his former assistants. His team's too deep and battle-tested. He'll be 12-0.”

Cole Cubelic 

ESPN
Alabama, 17-14

“Alabama doesn’t make mistakes. Fewer turnovers, fewer penalties and fewer big plays allowed. A shortened game favors the defense & Alabama’s is better.”

Bob Wischusen

ESPN
Alabama, 31- 20

“Can’t see Georgia running the ball the way they’ll need to vs that Alabama D.”

Dave Neal

ESPN
Georgia, 23-20

“Defense at a premium especially in the red zone, so field goals will be the difference. Bama just not enough offensive firepower to get them the title.”

Rod Gilmore

ESPN
Alabama, 24-13

“Jalen Hurts will be the difference, and Bama's D will force Fromm to throw more than Georgia would like.”

Mike Couzens

ESPN
Georgia, 27-20

“The combination of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb is one of the best in the nation, especially when it comes to yards after contact. Alabama brought a lot of pressure against Clemson, but Jake Fromm was one of college football's best under duress this year, and he'll hold up in the CFP title game, too.”

Ray Bentley

ESPN 
Alabama, 31- 17

“Tide's defense is too good. The Bama offense will put the (Jalen) Hurts on the Bulldog D.”

Dari Nowkhah

ESPN
Alabama, 24-16

“Georgia will not be able to run the ball against Bama like they did against Oklahoma. And I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tide defense score against the Dawgs. Tide wins another one.”

Brock Huard

ESPN 
Alabama, 24-16

“Alabama has simply been on this stage more and understands everything this performance takes. UGA and Fromm have not been overwhelmed down the stretch, and I expect this to be a very compelling game. Ultimately, it will be defined by a half-dozen snaps in any one of the three phases that will go the Tide's way because of their experience.”

Chris Doering

ESPN 
Georgia, 24-20

“I think these two teams are similarly built. Both want to play great defense, rely on the running game and minimize what you're asking the quarterback to do throwing the football. At the end of the day I think the Georgia defense is slightly better than Alabama's and the production of Alabama's offense the last few games has me concerned. It will be a hard fought, physical game, with the Bulldogs prevailing in the end.”

Taylor Zarzour

ESPN 
Alabama, 20-10

“Alabama loves a physical, 60-minute game, and I think they'll pull away late. I worry about the Dawgs being worn out after such a grueling semifinal game on the other side of the country. Jalen Hurts and Alabama's running backs will be too much.”

David Norrie

ESPN 
Alabama, 21-10

“Alabama’s defense will be successful in taking away the Georgia run game...making the Bulldogs one-dimensional (just as Alabama did against Clemson.) Georgia QB Jake Fromm will not be able to win the game with his arm.”

Trevor Matich

ESPN 
Alabama, 24-17

“Georgia's strength on defense is fast linebackers. Bama will run downhill right at them, negating their speed. Bama's strength on defense is stout DL, and secondary. I expect Fromm to have to throw, and he will have an entirely different problem against Bama's secondary than Oklahoma's.”

Tom Luginbill 

ESPN
Alabama, 35-24

“You never want to play Bama when they have a chip on their shoulder.”

Adnan Virk

ESPN 
Alabama, 27-13

“I’ve got Alabama winning 27-13. Nick Saban is 11-0 against his former assistants with each win by at least 14 points. He’ll get the better of Kirby Smart this time with a ferocious and now healthy defense and the skills of Jalen Hurts.”

Brian Kinchen

ESPN 
Alabama, 24-20

“Offensively Alabama’s challenge will be the same as it was last week against a good, solid defense. Georgia’s offense will have to get out the gate earlier than last week against a much better defense. QB play will be the difference, Hurts making one or two more plays.”

Greg McElroy

ESPN 
Alabama, 24-17

“Alabama showed a newfound focus and sense of urgency against Clemson. For the first time since early November, they dominated the line of scrimmage and didn’t show the signs of fatigue that we saw towards the end of the regular season. They slow down the Georgia offensive attack and force a key turnover to propel them to the 7-point win.”

Dave Pasch

ESPN
Georgia, 31-30

“Georgia will control the clock with its outstanding running backs, and Jake Fromm will make enough plays through the air for the Bulldogs to outscore Alabama in the fourth quarter.”

Paul Carcaterra

ESPN 
Alabama 31-17

“Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick is a chameleon and can adapt to any assignment. Last week he was asked to stop Clemson’s Hunter Renfrow. Against Georgia he will be the deciding factor in regards to stopping the run. Look for Fitzpatrick to be the critical piece to a loaded defensive box.”

Roddy Jones

ESPN 
Alabama 20-14

“The defenses are comparable, even with the injuries to Bama's D. Offensively, the two RB's for each side go slight edge to UGA but the biggest difference for me is Jalen Hurts ability to hurt UGA in the run game and Calvin Ridley out wide.”

Jonathan Vilma

ESPN 
Alabama, 31-17

Jena Lada

ESPN 
Georgia, 20-17

“Expect a physical, defensive, grind-it-out battle. Freshman QB Jake Fromm impressed with his poise and decisiveness in the Rose Bowl. That combined with Georgia’s run game (which likely won’t average nearly 10 yards per carry this week but will still move the sticks,) Smart’s ability to adjust and his knowledge of Saban’s personnel means the SEC Champs will also be the National Champs.”

Rene Ingoglia

ESPN 
Alabama, 27-17

“Bama is as healthy as they have been all season (although big loss of Anfernee Jennings vs Clemson) they are playing with a “chip” on their shoulder especially on defense. They will win more at the LOS then they did vs Clemson therefore run the ball better than they did in the semi’s.”

Dusty Dvoracek

ESPN

Alabama, 24-17

“No one can beat Bama at their own game. Georgia is too similar stylistically to Alabama. I think it takes some uniqueness and/or a dual threat QB to take down Saban. Plus let’s face it Sabans pupils don’t beat him head to head. “

Steve Levy

ESPN

Alabama, 28-17

“I like the No. 4 seed in an upset. Georgia plays against a defense better than their own for the first time all season.”

Stuart Holden

Fox Sports analyst

Alabama, 28-17

“The Alabama defense shut down Clemson’s offense and will be too quick and strong for Georgia. Freshman quarterback will be under too much pressure to win the game. Bama takes it (from a Clemson Tiger... this hurts. Ugh)”

Dell Curry

Fox Sports Southeast Charlotte Hornets analyst

Alabama, 31-24

“I like Georgia’s offense, but I like Alabama’s defense even more.”

Willy Daunic

Fox Sports Tennessee Nashville Predators play-by-play announcer

Alabama (no score provided)

“They looked awfully strong against Clemson, and they are healthy.”

Chris Mason

FoxSports Tennessee Nashville Predators analyst (a former Atlanta Thrashers goalie)

Georgia (no score provided)

“I have to go with my heart, I spent a year in Atlanta and I’m taking Georgia. They are going to ride that big overtime victory into a national championship.”