On to the next one. The 12-0 number 2 ranked (eye roll) Tigers are off to Atlanta for the SEC Championship against #4 Georgia. Coming off a 50-7 win against Texas A&M, this is as complete as LSU has looked all year. After holding the Aggies to their lowest point total all year, this finally looks like an LSU defense. This game was exactly what I wanted to see after the drama following the 2018 game. This comes at a good time, as 11-1 Georgia comes into the championship game with an elite defense. Georgia won’t be intimidated, as this is their 3rd SEC Championship appearance in 3 years. The question is can they generate enough points on offense to keep up with LSU?

Georgia offense vs. LSU defense

QB Jake Fromm is a third year starter with high draft projections. Why can’t Georgia pass the ball? The easy answer is depth at WR, with leading receiver Lawrence Cager out with an injury. To make things worse, Fr. George Pickens, their most physically talented receiver, is out for the first half after throwing a punch in the Ga Tech game. Starting RB Deandre Swift is a an absolute problem when healthy. Swift is battling a shoulder injury which has been affecting his ball security. Georgia has other talented backs, such as former 5 star recruit Zamir White, but they will have to make plays down the field to beat LSU. Frankly, it’s strange to see the lack of confidence in Fromm when watching Georgia’s play calling. The offensive staff is conservative and unimaginative. Georgia doesn’t have the talent LSU has at WR, but they have a QB that has experience in big games. They’ll have to trust him to have a chance tomorrow. This is the ideal game for LSU to put 8 in the box and trust their DB’s. UGA needs to run to set up the play-action pass. I expect the Tigers to sell out against the run, forcing Georgia to pass in obvious situations. No bueno. If the Bulldogs can’t successfully run the ball, this one will get ugly. Advantage LSU.

LSU offense vs. Georgia defense

I’ll start by saying this Georgia defense is legit. They allow only 71 yards rushing and 186 yards receiving a game. Both stats are impressive, but that tells me they put a heavy emphasis on stopping the run. LSU will throw early and throw often. I’m not saying the Tigers won’t be balanced, but Brady/Ensminger will simply take what’s given. Clyde Edwards-Helaire will find his groove once the passing game is established. Burrow will have an eye out for J.R. Reed, UGA safety and son of former Saints TE, Jake Reed. Reed might be UGA’s best DB. His film study empowers him to be in position to jump routes. Look for LSU to find a way to match Justin Jefferson against Reed. I’d expect to see our best route runner using a double move against their most aggressive DB at some point in the game. Beyond that, LSU simply has too many weapons. Georgia might have the best defense LSU has faced all year; I just don’t see them or any other defense stopping this LSU offense. More of the same, advantage LSU.

From what I’ve seen, the playoff committee is obsessed with Ohio St. and the rest of the Big 10. It would not surprise me if LSU beats the #4 team by 20+ and remained at #2 in the rankings. This might come off as dismissive of Georgia, but this weekend is more about LSU vs. Ohio St. than LSU vs Georgia. Regardless off the rankings, enjoy this team. We’re likely watching the second Heisman Trophy winner in the history of the program, a highly sought after OC in Joe Brady, and a Biletnikoff award winner in JaMarr Chase. The LSU offensive renaissance is the biggest story of 2019. The Tigers will be out to make a statement: LSU is better than Ohio St. UGA does not have enough firepower to keep up. Regardless of the final rankings, eyeball test, resume, or any other means of judgement, LSU has been the best team in CFB all year. This won’t change Saturday. LSU 38 – UGA 14. Georgia’s defense is good enough to limit the embarrassment, but LSU is the far better team. Allow me to be the first to introduce you to the SEC champs with even bigger aspirations. GEAUX TIGERS!!!