NFL rules analyst calls out controversy on Alabama touchdown

Kirby Smart and the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs jumped out to a quick, 10-0 lead over Alabama in the SEC Championship game, leading many to think that Georgia would run away with it. Then, Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams pulled through in a big way — but perhaps it should have been called back.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Alabama cut the lead to three after Bryce Young found Williams in stride, connecting for a huge 67-yard touchdown pass. Young, throwing from his own 33-yard line, found Williams already quite separated from the Georgia secondary, which had lost him in coverage. From thereon out, all that remained was one Georgia safety, who had plenty of time and space to bring down Williams — but he turned on the jets, punching it in for six.

JAMESON WILLIAMS IS GONE@AlabamaFTBL strikes back. pic.twitter.com/JHFIBMwuwF

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 4, 2021

However, NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay pointed out a controversial no-call that may have gone unnoticed on Williams’ touchdown.

“Looks like an illegal chop block on the RB/LG,” he wrote on Twitter. “Any combination high low block is a personal foul and a 15 yard penalty.”

Had the referees called Alabama for the illegal chop block, the touchdown would have been negated, and Alabama would have taken a huge hit on that possession. The Crimson Tide would have their third-and-2 touchdown forfeited, instead trading it in for a fourth-and-17.

At the time of publication, Alabama leads Georgia 14-10, having scored two unanswered touchdowns since the Bulldogs’ last score.

If Alabama pulls off the upset of the nation’s top team, they will likely have a spot in the College Football Playoff. If the opposite result occurs, they are likely eliminated. A two-loss team has never made the CFP.

Recent history favors Alabama

Saturday’s game is the first time Alabama entered a contest as an underdog since 2015, a 92-game streak. That game was also against Georgia, and the Crimson Tide won 38-10.

Alabama’s recent record against Georgia is also very impressive.

The teams don’t play all that often, and Alabama’s current six-game win streak over the Bulldogs dates back to 2008. It includes two wins in the SEC title game (2012 and 2018) and the CFP national championship game following the 2017 season, which featured the famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) Tua Tagovailoa-to-DeVonta Smith TD pass in overtime. The most recent meeting was a 17-point Tide win in Tuscaloosa last season. The Tide are 7-1 in SEC title games under Saban; the loss was to Florida in 2008 in Saban’s first appearance with Alabama.

On3’s Mike Hugenin and Ashton Pollard contributed to this report.