Three disputed calls cloud Georgia's close win at Alabama

Georgia left Tuscaloosa with a narrow win over Alabama on Saturday night, but three officiating decisions in the second half are getting as much attention as the result. USA TODAY Sports reported that the calls drew heavy criticism across college football, and that Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer was caught on camera yelling at officials from the sideline.

The first came in the third quarter. Alabama linebacker QB Reese was credited with an interception, but officials overturned it on review. On the ABC broadcast, analyst Kirk Herbstreit questioned the reversal, saying replay did not clearly show the ball hitting the turf rather than Reese's wrist.

The second came in the fourth quarter. On third down, Georgia's Demello Jones hit Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and knocked the ball loose. No targeting flag was thrown. Alabama was called for a false start on fourth down and then punted.

The third, which USA TODAY Sports called possibly the biggest miss of the night, came on Alabama's final drive. Facing second-and-10 at the Georgia 34, quarterback Keelon Russell threw deep for Rico Scott. Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden broke up the pass, but replay appeared to show Bolden and fellow defensive back Braylon Conley making contact with Scott before the ball got there. There was no flag. On the next snap, Russell was sacked for a 9-yard loss, which pushed Alabama out of field goal range, and the Crimson Tide had to punt.

USA TODAY Sports said DeBoer, who rarely shows that kind of emotion on the sideline, reacted after the pass interference no-call. The outlet also collected reactions from around the sport. Its headline quoted one social media post that said the officials had cost Alabama the game.

What it means

For Georgia, the result is a road win over a top-10 conference rival, which keeps the Bulldogs, ranked No. 2 coming in, unbeaten and at the front of the SEC race. Next up is a home game against Auburn on Oct. 17. Georgia is a heavy favorite in that one: -953 on Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, and -1450 at DraftKings, the best sportsbook price. Full prices are on the Auburn at Georgia page.

Alabama came in ranked No. 6 and now has to regroup quickly for a road trip to Tennessee the same day. It is a second straight game against a conference opponent, and the officiating dispute could follow the program into the week. Alabama is favored at -251 on Novig and -258 at DraftKings, with the total at 56.5. The Alabama at Tennessee page has the full market.

One question for the week is whether the SEC says anything publicly about the three calls. The bigger concern for Alabama is staying in the conference race with a loss that its fans will keep arguing about.