Joel Klatt Names 2025 Matchup That Will Decide Who Goes to SEC Championship Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 9:44 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs are two historic SEC powerhouses.

Alabama won six national titles under Nick Saban, while Kirby Smart brought the Bulldogs consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022.

On a recent episode of "The Joel Klatt Show," Joel Klatt claimed the September 27 meeting would decide which team goes to the SEC Championship Game.

Since 2012, Alabama and Georgia have met in Atlanta for the conference title four times, with the Crimson Tide holding a 4-0 record in those instances.

Overall, Alabama leads the all-time series with Georgia 44-26-4. Last season, the two played in a thrilling matchup that ended with a 41-34 Alabama win in Tuscaloosa.

"Alabama is at Georgia," Klatt said. "Hello, this is an obvious one. I don't have to go into this deeply at all. This is a classic. It is always great. There's a couple of games on this list that fall into this category, that it's just like yeah they can play in a parking lot. It's going to be not only a great game, but it's going to be a highly meaningful game. Winner of this game likely goes to the SEC Championship."

The 2024 SEC Championship Game featured Georgia and the Texas Longhorns, with the Bulldogs winning 22-19 in overtime.

Alabama greats Mark Ingram II and CJ Mosley both played in the SEC Championship Game during their Crimson Tide tenure. Ingram and Mosley played together at Alabama for one season in 2010.

Ingram recently responded to comments from Florida State Seminoles quarterback Thomas Castellanos. Castellanos threw shade at Alabama, citing the lack of Saban's presence to save them.

After an 11-year NFL career, Mosley officially retired from football. He spent his career with the Baltimore Ravens (2014-18) and New York Jets (2019-2024).

Alabama opens the 2025 season with Florida State on August 30. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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