SEC showdown comes to Atlanta

The intense rivalry between Georgia and Alabama will come to a head this weekend at the SEC Championship in Atlanta.

• The game kicks off Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 4pm and will air on CBS.

Why it matters: The undefeated, No. 1-ranked Bulldogs, who last month won the SEC Eastern division and currently have 29 consecutive wins, have shifted the balance of power in the conference in recent years. And Alabama would love to have it back.

• Georgia has won back-to-back national titles, and a victory on Saturday would send them to the College Football Playoff with a chance to win a third-straight crown.
• The team that won the national championship the year before Georgia's streak began? Alabama.

What we're watching: Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who threw a miraculous touchdown pass in a win over rival Auburn last week, says pushing through a tough Georgia defense to score will be a challenge, AJC's Gabriel Burns reports.

• However, if No. 8-ranked Alabama can overcome the Dawgs, the Tide will likely roll on to the College Football Playoff, USA Today reports.

Of note: Saturday's matchup will be the second SEC Championship game featuring Georgia and Alabama in the last three seasons.

Be smart: Avoid the traffic, and take MARTA to the game and its accompanying events — including the free T-Mobile SEC Championship Concert with Darius Rucker. That starts at noon at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Our thought bubble: Go Dawgs!