Two reasons Georgia, LSU will be conference champions
MBaron@CalhounTimes.com
The SEC Championship Game is upon us and this year’s matchup features a familiar opponent representing the Eastern Division vs. a relative newcomer from the West. The No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs will meet the No. 2 LSU Tigers at MercedesBenz Stadium Saturday at 4 p.m. It’s a College Football Playoff elimination game for Georgia, while on the flip side, an LSU loss leaves a much tougher decision for the committee. Today, we give you two reasons why the red & black and two reasons why the white & gold (and purple) will be celebrating in style Saturday night in Atlanta.
Georgia
Reason 1: Defense
Georgia’s defense has been consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation. Anchored by seniors J.R. Reed and ..., along with freshman standouts Nakobe Dean and Azeez Ojulari, the Bulldogs will present major tests for Joe Burrow, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and the rest of the LAU offense (more on them later). The Dawgs check in as the No. 4 total defense, surrendering an average of 257 yards per game. The unit is third nationally in yards allowed per play (4.12). Perhaps Georgia’s most noteworthy defensive strength is the rushing defense, which ranks second in average rush yards allowed (71.0) and boasts just one rushing touchdown scored against the entire season. Opponents are converting just 28% on third down and, within the red zone, teams have scored eight touchdowns in 20 attempts.
Reason 2: Run game
When junior running back D’Andre Swift went down with an injury in the second half of UGA’s game versus rival Georgia Tech, all of Dawg Nation held its collective breath. At his postgame press conference, head coach Kirby Smart said Swift suffered a shoulder contusion and added “We think he’ll be fine.” Having Swift be able to suit up for the Bulldogs is imperative, as the team is already down its top receiver, graduate student Lawrence Cager, due to injury and freshman wide receiver George Pickens for the first half of action. Georgia will need all hands on deck for LSU, including Swift, senior Brian Herrian, redshirt freshman Zamir White and sophomore James Cook. In particular, if guys like Swift and Herrian can get to the edge, it will be difficult to prevent them from gaining chunk plays and chain movements, simultaneously wearing down LSU’s defensive front. The Bulldogs average 200 yards per game on the ground and have 20 rushing scores.
LSU
Reason 1: Joe Burrow