ATHENS, Ga. — The Alabama Crimson Tide turned the blackout into a knockout.

Just don't tell Nick Saban that he's got a national championship contender, not even after a decisive victory over third-ranked Georgia.

"After five games?" Saban said with a tone of disbelief last night. "Let's see when we get a full body of work at the end of the season."

But No. 8 Alabama sure looked as impressive as anyone in this young season by whipping Georgia 41-30, the score not really as close as the final. The Tide raced to a stunning 31-0 lead over the first two quarters, and the Bulldogs managed a couple of cosmetic touchdowns in the waning minutes.

Backed by stout play on both sides of the line and John Parker Wilson's accurate passing, Alabama (5-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) put this one away before Georgia's "Redcoat Marching Band" got on the field for the halftime show.

The Tide scored on its first five possessions.

"That was nice," said Wilson, who was 13 of 16 for 205 yards and a touchdown. "That is what you practice for, that is what you strive to do on every drive."

Georgia (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) became the third team in the top four to fall on a devastating week for ranked teams, joining No. 1 USC and No. 4 Florida in the loss column.

"We just got whipped," coach Mark Richt said. "There's no excuses, and don't expect any from me."

Alabama is poised to move up at least three or four spots when the new poll comes out today, though Saban isn't concerned about getting to No. 1.

Not yet, anyway.

"It doesn't matter now. It doesn't matter until the end," Saban said. "We have a lot of good football teams ahead of us."

Wilson had plenty of time to throw, and freshman Julio Jones was his favorite receiver with five catches for 94 yards, including a touchdown. Glenn Coffee ran for a couple of TDs.

Looking for a motivational edge, Georgia came out wearing black jerseys, and most of its fans at 92,000-seat Sanford Stadium also took part in the "blackout."

The Bulldogs' Knowshon Moreno got only nine carries for 34 yards as Alabama ended Georgia's 11-game winning streak.