Georgia’s task: Slow down LSU
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
It’s finally here. Championship weekend is upon us, which means we only have one more month to savor this college football season.
Let’s dive in to the most intriguing questions for Week 15.
Georgia’s defense is great. But can it slow down this historic LSU attack?
Through 12 games, the Bulldogs have allowed an average of 10.4 points per game, second only to Clemson nationally. They held Notre Dame, Florida and Auburn to 17 points or fewer, and are one of just two teams this season to not allow more than 20 points in a game (Clemson is the other). They’ve surrendered just 4.12 yards per play, fourth best in the country.
But Georgia has yet to face an offense like LSU’s.
In a breakthrough year under new passing game coordinator Joe Brady, quarterback Joe Burrow became the first player in SEC history to throw for more than 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in the same season. Outside of Alabama’s star trio, LSU might have the best receiving corps in the country, led by Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been as steady as they come, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and 7.9 yards per catch.
In a recent video breakdown, ESPN analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy pointed out how well Georgia has played in man-coverage, which will make life difficult for LSU’s receivers. Burrow has picked apart every defense he’s faced so far this season, but he hasn’t faced a secondary as deep or as talented as the Bulldogs. If Georgia can take away some of Burrow’s easy throws, it has a chance to slow down an offense scoring 48.7 points per game.
What does Wisconsin need to do to upset Ohio State?
This Wisconsin team is much improved from the one that was dominated, 38-7, by Ohio State earlier in the season. The scary thing is, the Buckeyes might be better, too.
Penn State was able to hang around with Ohio State by containing J.K. Dobbins, who ran for 157 yards but needed 36 carries to do it. The Buckeyes averaged just 3.8 yards per carry in that 28-17 win, but they got big plays when they needed them, with quarterback Justin Fields scrambling for first downs and Chris Olave sealing the victory with a spectacular catch over a defender in the end zone.
The Badgers have the tools on offense and defense to at least give Ohio State some trouble. They pressure the quarterback extremely well, especially with their linebackers, racking up 44 sacks in 12 games, the fifth most in the country.
On offense, they lean on star running back Jonathan Taylor, averaging 188 rushing yards in his past four games. Meanwhile, quarterback Jack Coan has steadily improved this season and is coming off his best game in a Wisconsin uniform, completing 68.2% of his passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota.
If Wisconsin can slow down Dobbins, force Fields into some bad decisions and run the ball effectively, it can win.
Which half was closer to reality in the first Baylor-Oklahoma matchup?
Just a few weeks ago, Baylor had a 31-10 halftime lead over Oklahoma and looked like it was heading toward an improbable undefeated season. Then the Sooners shut out the Bears 24-0 in the second half to claim a stunning victory, keeping their own playoff hopes alive.
The teams meet again Saturday for the Big 12 title, and the winner will be firmly in the discussion for the fourth and final playoff spot come Selection Sunday. So which team shows up in Arlington: first-half Baylor or secondhalf Oklahoma?
It’s unlikely we see a similar game of runs, with Baylor storming to a 28-3 lead and Oklahoma countering with a 31-3 streak in the first meeting. It’s probably going to be a back-and-forth affair, with both teams’ offenses capable of scoring quickly.