Alabama football defense has ‘undivided attention’ on Georgia. What Crimson Tide expects

Maurice Linguist already knows the challenge Alabama football’s defense is set to face in Georgia’s offense.

The Bulldogs have an offense that can “do it all” in the passing game, Linguist, the Crimson Tide’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, said, mixing horizontal and vertical looks to run-pass options and clean drop-back progressions.

“There’s not too many things that they don’t do,” Linguist said. “They give you a lot of personnel groupings. They line up in all formations out of those personnel groupings. It certainly is a challenge just from a schematic standpoint, from a volume standpoint and then from a personnel standpoint because they have playmakers. So we’re very aware of how good they are. It’s a good football team. It’s a really good football team. And the best thing about it is they have our full undivided attention.”

Through Georgia’s first three wins, quarterback Carson Beck and the passing game have struggled compared to Bulldogs offenses of the past, averaging 256.7 yard passing per contest — 50th best in the country.

Beck’s seven touchdown passes in three games have gone to six different receivers. Two Georgia receivers have double-digit catch totals through three games: Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett.

‘Rat poison’ praise of Alabama OL: Why Chris Kapilovic shuts down ‘rat poison’ praise of Alabama football offensive line

In wins against Clemson, Tennessee Tech and Kentucky, Georgia has averaged 31.7 points per game, tied for 61st best in the sport along with Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

No matter which team Alabama is set to face in its SEC opener, Linguist said the approach remains the same for his defensive backs.

“What we got to do is keep it about us, keep it about who we are and what we’re going to do and how we’re going to go out there and battle and challenge every single throw and get ourselves in position to go make plays,” Linguist said.

After its off week, Alabama will face Georgia at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.