Alabama TE Ford Eyes Georgia Return After Arm Surgery — SkimNews
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- Josh Ford, Alabama's starting tight end, broke his arm during last Saturday's win over Mississippi State and underwent surgery within the past week
- Ford is listed as a game-time decision for Saturday's 7:30 p.m. ET top-six showdown against No. 2 Georgia in Tuscaloosa (ABC)
- Ford, an Oklahoma State transfer, has just one reception this season — a one-handed touchdown against South Carolina — but his blocking has helped Alabama's rushing attack jump from 101.4 yards per game last season to 186.4 this year
- Nate Frazier returns at running back for Georgia after missing two games with bruised ribs; he still leads the Bulldogs with 211 rushing yards and five touchdowns
- Chauncey Bowens, Georgia's team leader with six rushing touchdowns, was ruled out earlier this week
- Dwight Phillips Jr. filled in during Frazier's absence, rushing for 84 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma and catching five passes for 75 yards and a score against Vanderbilt
Why it matters: Both top-six SEC contenders head into Saturday missing or uncertain at key positions. Ford's blocking has been central to Alabama's rushing surge from 101.4 to 186.4 yards per game, while Frazier's return helps Georgia absorb the loss of touchdown leader Bowens. Whichever team's depth holds up in the trenches likely decides a game with direct SEC title and College Football Playoff seeding stakes.
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