Live: Georgia leading Alabama in second half of College Football Playoff championship game

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/sports/ncaaf/2018/01/08/how-national-championship-game-going-unfold/109266154/

SportsPulse: From Atlanta, Trysta Krick breaks down the three three biggest keys to the College Football Playoff title game and gives her prediction. USA TODAY Sports

GEORGIA 13, ALABAMA 7, 8:52 left in third quarter

And we have a ball game in Atlanta. Tua Tagovailoa had miraculous scramble on third-and-7 for a first down to get the Alabama drive started. Tagovailoa then ignited the passing game with four consecutive completes, the last to Henry Ruggs for a touchdown. Extra point is good, and the Crimson Tide has life. How will Georgia respond to the first big punch it has taken?

Quarterback change for Alabama

Coming out of the locker room, Alabama tried to shake things up by switching to true freshman Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Unfortunately, the series looked a lot like the ones in the first half. Tagovailoa was sacked on third down, the Crimson Tide were forced to punt on the first possession of the third quarter.

Bulldogs cap off outstanding first half

A Mecole Hardeman run for a touchdown with seven seconds left in the half has given Georgia a 13-0 lead on Alabama. The 70-yard drive was keyed by big throws by Jake Fromm and another clutch third-down run by Sony Michel.

The Bulldgos simply dominated the first half by wearing down the Crimson Tide with its efficient offense. The long drives have kept the ball away from the struggling Alabama offense, as well. 

Something is going to have change with Jalen Hurts just 3-for-8 for 21 yards throwing. The Alabama running backs have just 27 yards rushing. Georgia holds a 223-94 yard advantage and 47-24 edge in plays.

Alabama hanging in there

Alabama offense still sputtering. With just more than two minutes left in the first half, the Tide only have managed 88 yards and no points. Jalen Hurts has thrown for 17 yards on 2-of-6 passing. That said, they're only down six and have the ball back. 

Georgia extends lead

Jake Fromm has been the difference in the first third of the national championship game. He converted a couple of big third-down throws to extend the latest drive by the Bulldogs. It's the second long drive for a field goal as Georgia has controlled the action in the early going. Alabama defense, to its credit, stiffened with the ball first-and-goal at the 10. Bulldogs have started to wear them down, however, with a 32-16 advantage in plays. Big possession upcoming for Crimson Tide after consecutive three-and-outs.

Georgia on the board first

After an Alabama three-and-out, Georgia finally got to its running game and earned a couple first downs. Then came the biggest play of the opening quarter as Sony Michel ran for 26 yards on third-and-20 to keep the drive alive after a sack on Jake Fromm.

The first quarter ended with game scoreless and Georgia on the Alabama 27 with a third-and-11. The Bulldogs went conservative and ran the ball. After coming up short, Rodrigo Blankenship converted a 41-yard field goal. 

  

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