Speed bump

TUSCALOOSA - Alabama coach Nick Saban noticed the look in his players' eyes.

It was the same one he saw during practice this week. The same one he warned the Crimson Tide against all week in practice.

Still, there they were on Saturday as No. 16 Alabama (3-1, 2-2 SEC) lost to No. 22 Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC), eyes lacking the intensity and focus needed to win in the SEC.

"I think this is the worst we've played all year long," Saban said. "Not only in terms of our ability to execute, but also our intensity, toughness and competitive spirit."

It manifested early, as the Crimson Tide failed to score on their first drive all season and were held scoreless in the first quarter this year. And only a Leigh Tiffin field goal with 44 seconds remaining in the first half saved Alabama from being shutout in the first half for the first time since a 2005 win against Tennessee.

The passing game floundered. After a breakout performance against Arkansas, John Parker Wilson completed 17-of-35 passes for 185 yards and no scores. "It's always frustrating because our receivers feel we're open all the time," said sophomore receiver Mike McCoy.

Meanwhile, Georgia's burned Alabama's defense on short screens. Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Stafford (19-for-35, 224 yards, two touchdowns) converted three third-and-long attempts with screens on Georgia's game-opening touchdown drive.

The look seemed to disappear slightly in the second half. The Tide tied the game at 10 on a 1-yard Wilson run less then 5:00 into the third quarter and rebounded from another 10-point deficit with an 88-yard touchdown drive that tied the game at 20 with 1:09 remaining in the fourth.

But after a Leigh Tiffin field goal gave the Tide its first lead, Stafford hit Mikey Henderson with a 25-yard game-winning touchdown pass.

And the look returned.

"I always talk about learning lessons, even when you win," Saban said, "not being affected by things like where you're ranked and what people say on talk radio. We just need to do what it takes to be successful and improve consistently."