Alabama rolls over Georgia early, often

ATHENS, Ga. -- The Alabama Crimson Tide turned the blackout into a knockout.

Just don’t tell Coach Nick Saban that he has a national championship contender, not even after a decisive victory over third-ranked Georgia.

“After five games?” Saban said with a tone of disbelief late Saturday night. “Let’s see when we get a full body of work at the end of the season.”

But No. 8 Alabama sure looked as impressive as anyone in this young season by whipping Georgia, 41-30, the game not really as close as the score indicated. The Tide raced to a stunning 31-0 lead over the first two quarters, and the Bulldogs scored some cosmetic touchdowns in the waning minutes.

Backed by stout play on both sides of the line and John Parker Wilson’s accurate passing, Alabama (5-0 overall, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) put this one away before halftime.

The Tide scored on its first five possessions.

“That was nice,” said Wilson, who was 13 for 16 for 205 yards. “That is what you practice for, that is what you strive to do on every drive.”

Georgia (4-1, 1-1) became the third team in the top four to fall on a devastating week for ranked teams, joining No. 1 USC and No. 4 Florida.

“We just got whipped,” Coach Mark Richt said.