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Georgia clinches spot in SEC Championship

Georgia was No. 1 in the national college football championship committee's ranking that was released earlier this week.
Nov 4, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) breaks a tackle by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back D.J. Smith (24) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Bulldogs have booked their ticket to Atlanta, but it's not the only one for Mercedes-Benz Stadium they're hoping to get.

The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs clinched the SEC East by defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 24-10 on Saturday and by the Kentucky Wildcats falling to Ole Miss, 37-34, eliminating the Wildcats.

Georgia (9-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference, No. 1 College Football Playoff) has won its first nine games for the first time since 1982. South Carolina (6-3, 4-3) had its three-game winning streak snapped. The Gamecocks also lost hopes for winning the SEC East.

Nick Chubb ran for 102 yards on 20 carries for Georgia. Michel added 81 yards rushing.

The SEC Championship berth caps quite a memorable week for the Bulldogs, who the College Football Playoff Committee ranked No. 1 over Alabama because of their strength of schedule and because they had beaten two top 25 teams.

Now, they'll most likely face Alabama in the conference title game. Alabama has won the last three SEC championships and has been to the playoff every year since it was formed in 2014. The last time the Bulldogs won the conference title was in 2005.

While the Bulldogs are likely thrilled to return to the championship game for the first time since 2012, they can't take their foot off the gas. They'll need to stay undefeated up until the championship game if they want a shot at the playoff semifinal and eventually the national championship, which will also be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in January 2018.

If they fall, their playoff hopes will disappear. But if Alabama and Georgia meet in the SEC Championship while both are undefeated and the game is close, there's a good chance the committee could put both teams in the playoff.

PHOTOS: UGA vs. South Carolina

The SEC Championship is Dec. 2. The west champion has not officially been crowned.

Game recap

South Carolina recovered a surprise onside kickoff by UGA but missed on a subsequent field goal opportunity.

UGA took the first lead of the game with 2:21 left in the first quarter. South Carolina tied the game shortly into the second quarter, but UGA went ahead at 9:27 of the second quarter to take a 14-7 lead into halftime.

UGA opened the second half with a touchdown scoring drive at 9:28, extending its lead to 21-7. South Carolina scored a field goal to tighten the score to 21-10 at 3:36 in the third quarter.

UGA scored a field goal with 6:36 left in the fourth quarter to take a 24-10 lead. The Bulldogs then intercepted a South Carolina pass with less than two minutes left in the game to seal the victory.

The Bulldogs are still waiting on the outcome of the Ole Miss-Kentucky game. If the Rebels defeat the Wildcats, then UGA will clinch the SEC east.

Georgia goes to 9-0 on the season, while the Gamecocks fall to 6-3.

Georgia was No. 1 in the national college football championship committee's ranking that was released earlier this week.

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