LSU, Georgia face off in clash of opposites
ATLANTA — LSU is perfectly comfortable in an offensive shootout, both teams racing up and down the field, throwing caution to the wind and lighting up the scoreboard with big play after big play.
Georgia would prefer a defensive quagmire, where every yard in a struggle, the sort of knock-’em-back stalemate that puts a premium on old-school concepts like field position and turnovers.
In that never-ending debate over what’s more important — offense or defense? — the Southeastern Conference championship game offers a most compelling match-up.
The No. 2 Tigers (12-0) are the second-highest scoring team in the land. The No. 4 Bulldogs (11-1) have allowed fewer points than every team but one.
“When you come out of the SEC and represent your programs in this game, you’ve been through the gauntlet,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.
LSU is averaging 48.7 points — trailing only Ohio State — with a high-octane spread offense led by Heisman Trophy favorite Joe Burrow and a pair of 1,000yard receivers.
It has been a stunning turnaround for a program long known for its stalwart defense but one that often struggled to put points on the board.
The last LSU team to go undefeated during the regular season was the 2011 Tigers, who were totally stifled by Alabama in the national championship game. That team lost 21-0 and did not even cross midfield until the closing minutes.
What a contrast to this team, which has twice eclipsed 60 points, scored at least 50 in four other games and has been held below 36 just one time.
The Tigers have no intention of backing off against the Bulldogs, though Burrow offered a bit of a caveat.
“We’re going to keep our same mentality,” he said. “We’re going to attack, we’re going to go fast, we’re going to throw the ball down the field, but also understanding this is one of the best defenses in the country, so you’re going to have to take what the defense gives you and march the ball down the field. They’re not going to give you anything easy.”
The Junkyard Dawgs are surrendering a puny average of 10.4 points — second only to Clemson — and have recorded three shutouts for the first time since 1981. They have not given up more than 17 points in regulation (their only loss, a 20-17 setback against South Carolina, went to double overtime).
As is always the case with the SEC championship, the winner is headed to the College Football Playoff, but many pundits believe LSU, which has high-quality victories over Alabama, Florida and Auburn, has already done enough to claim a spot.
So a Georgia upset could mean a postseason two-fer for a conference that already holds super-sized influence over the college football landscape.