Could Bill O’Brien leave Alabama for the LSU HC job?

Could the Alabama OC be on the move after his first season with the program?

Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is halfway through his first season with the Crimson Tide as the team’s offensive coordinator. O’Brien is hailed as the latest former head coach of another program who is seeking a second chance through being an assistant coach under Nick Saban.

Prior to his latest stop at Alabama, O’Brien spent six years in the NFL as the head coach of the Houston Texans. He has spent decades bouncing between the NFL and collegiate ranks for decades. excluding his final two years in Houston, he’s a great offensive mind that has proven he can be an impactful head coach anywhere in the nation, as evidenced in his short stint with Penn State back in 2012.

It’s a known fact that the Saban coaching tree grows every season. Well, now there’s a chance it extends within the SEC.

Despite winning a national championship less than two years ago, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is likely going the be coaching his final game for the Tigers very soon, with a strong chance that he doesn’t see the end of the season.

So who might replace Coach O? Patrick Conn of LSU Tigers Wire compiled a list of potential candidates, one of which is the current Crimson Tide offensive coordinator.

“Perhaps Bill O’Brien follows in the footsteps of Steve Sarkisian and gets a head coaching gig after going through Nick Saban’s coaching rehabilitation? O’Brien had a short run at Penn State as their head coach with a record of 15-9.”

As the SEC evolves into an offensive-heavy conference, it’s important for programs to adapt and reflect their willingness to change with the game. Bringing in O’Brien would certainly show how serious they are about building the offense which has struggled tremendously in the last two seasons since Joe Burrow & Co. left the program.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow along with rumors and reports about Bill O’Brien and the LSU head coaching job.

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Georgia injury report ahead of UGA vs LSU

Georgia football’s injury report for the UGA vs LSU SEC Championship Game

The No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs limp into Atlanta this afternoon to take on the No  2 LSU Tigers in the SEC Championship game. With a few key UGA players battling injuries and others declared out for the game, the Dawgs have been relying on the medical staff this week to get everyone ready for the game.

Following is the status of several Georgia players for today’s contest with LSU.

D’ANDRE SWIFT, RB (PROBABLE)

D’Andre Swift has been battling shoulder problems for most of the season and it caught up to him during the Georgia Tech game. Dawg Nation held its collective breath as the Philadelphia junior left the game and didn’t return. Swift is Georgia’s most dangerous offensive weapon and Coach Smart believes he’ll be good to go against the Tigers.

ERIC STOKES, CORNERBACK (PROBABLE)

Stokes has been Georgia’s most consistent cornerback this season and he’ll be a key component in slowing down the LSU pass offense  After leaving the Texas A&M game with an injury, he returned for the Tech game and helped the Dawgs dominate the Jackets. The sophomore DB, who leads UGA with 8 passes broken up, is tough as nails as will be ready for Saturday.

DEVONTE WYATT, DL (QUESTIONABLE)

The junior defensive lineman has played in 11 games this season but was held out of action last week against Georgia Tech. Wyatt is second to Azeez Ojulari in quarterback hurries (14) and he’ll be counted on to disrupt the rhythm of LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and the Tiger passing game.

TOMMY BUSH, WR (PROBABLE)

The freshman speedster provides a huge target for Jake Fromm and his speed causes matchup problems.  He missed a lot of playing time with a sports hernia injury but suited up for the Texas A&M game and caught his first collegiate pass against Georgia Tech.

BEN CLEVELAND, OL (PROBABLE)

Cleveland has started the past two games but the redshirt junior is battling an ankle injury that will require post-season surgery. The 6-foot-6, 340-pound guard has played well this season and his presence will be needed against a formidable LSU front seven.

CADE MAYS, OL (PROBABLE)

The 6 foot 6, 318-pound sophomore offensive lineman, slowed by ankle and shoulder injuries this season, missed the Texas A&M game but played against Georgia Tech. Mays has started at three different positions this season and has played all five offensive positions during the year. Expect him to rotate at right guard with Ben Cleveland today.

D’WAN MATHIS, QB (OUT)

The freshman quarterback underwent surgery to remove a cyst on his brain after the G-Day game. He has participated in non-contact drills with the team throughout the season and his status for next season will be a key decision for 2020.

JUSTIN SHAFFER, OL (OUT)

The junior offensive lineman started against Tennessee and South Carolina, but after suffering a neck sprain, has missed the balance of the season.

LAWRENCE CAGER, WR (OUT)

The grad transfer wide receiver from Miami was lost for the season prior to the Tech game when he went down in practice with an ankle injury that required surgery. He is tied for the team lead in receptions with 33 and is second in receiving yards (476) and touchdowns (4).

Georgia football SECCG: Expert picks and predictions (UGA vs LSU)

The UGA Wire staff has put together a list of expert picks and predictions ahead of Georgia Football’s game vs LSU for the SEC Championship.

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have won the SEC East three straight years, earning them their third straight SEC Championship game vs LSU, this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. EST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

Besides former Bulldog Justin Fields and Ohio State, LSU has been the hottest team of the 2019 college football season.  The #2 Tigers are 12-0 on the season including wins over Florida, Auburn and Alabama.

Georgia comes into the game a bit banged up and not exactly peaking at the right time.  The Dawgs will be without senior WR Lawrence Cager who underwent ankle surgery as well as freshman WR George Pickens who was suspended for the first half for on-field incidents.  Those are the Dawgs top two receivers on the year.

D’Andre Swift also left the Georgia Tech game with a shoulder injury but should hopefully be back for Saturday’s matchup.

LSU QB Joe Burrow has been putting up exceptional numbers for the Tigers as he currently sits in 2nd for the Heisman Trophy race.  Burrow has a total QBR of 93.4 and has thrown for 4,366 yards, 44 TDs and 6 INTs on the season.

Kirby will need to draw up a near flawless game plan and Jake Fromm needs to find his guy in a shallow receiving core if the Dawgs want to pull this one out and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The UGA Wire staff has put together a list of score, stat and game predictions ahead of Saturdays matchup.

Here are the picks:

The money makers:

#2 LSU (-7.5) vs #4 Georgia

Game pick: If you think LSU will win and cover, write LSU. If you think LSU will win but not cover, LSU*. If you got Georgia winning, write Georgia.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  HBTFD

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- LSU*

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- LSU

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- LSU*

Over/under (54.5) 

If you think the total will go over, over. If you think the total will go under, under.

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Under

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  Under

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Over

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Over

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Over

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Under

Score prediction:

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia 27, LSU 24

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com- Georgia 24, LSU 20

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- LSU 34, Georgia 27

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- LSU 35, Georgia 24

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Georgia 31, LSU 28 OT

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- LSU 26, UGA 20

Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.

Ed Orgeron previews Georgia football and SEC Championship Game

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron previews Georgia football, 2019 SEC Championship Game Saturday December 7th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

In a press conference with LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, Orgeron talked Kirby Smart, Jake Fromm, Dawgs defense and more, previewing Saturday’s matchup for the SEC Championship.

Orgeron and the #2 ranked Tigers are 12-0 on the season (8-0 SEC) and come into the game favored by 7.5 points.

“They’re going to play their best, man,” said coach Orgeron. “This is their third time here in a row. They’re going to be hungry. They’re well-coached. We beat them last year, so they have a little chip on their shoulder. Know what I’m saying?”

The Dawgs lost a tough one last year in Death Valley by a score of 36-16.  On the similarities of the matchup, coach O acknowledged that a lot can change in a year.

“Whole different time, whole different circumstance.”

Coach Orgeron knows more about the Dawgs players than you’d think.  Although they don’t usually meet in the regular season, many of his opponents’ toughest matchup of the year is Georgia, having Coach O watching plenty of Dawgs film.

“Again on defense, by far the best defense we’ve seen. 10 points per game. They basically are a 4-3, some 3-4. Only giving up 257 a game. Tyler Clark and their defensive line, I watch them all the time, because I watch opponents’ offensive line.”

Coach O is also very familiar with Georgia’s Kirby Smart.

“A lot of respect for Kirby and the job he’s done… Go against him recruiting, know the players he’s recruiting. Know the type of coaches he has on his staff. Well-coached football team, very athletic.”

A question came up wondering if Orgeron believed his team would still be in the playoff even with a loss to Georgia.  Coach O was having absolutely none of that.

“Not even thinking about it,” Orgeron said. “Uh-huh. I’m not buying into that at all. We got to win. I don’t know if we got to win to get in the playoffs or not. I’m not even talking about that. Our goal is to beat Georgia and win the SEC, then let’s see what happens.

Two well coached teams collide on the gridiron in Atlanta for the SEC Championship this Saturday, December 7th at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Georgia football injury report ahead of SECCG vs LSU

Georgia Football full injury report ahead of the SEC Championship Game this Saturday December 7th @ 4:00 p.m. on CBS.

Last Saturday’s game at Georgia Tech was the largest margin of victory Georgia has ever beat the Yellow Jackets by, but it didn’t come without a price.

As if losing WR Lawrence Cager for the rest of the season to an ankle injury wasn’t bad enough, the Dawgs star RB and engine to their offensive game D’Andre Swift got placed on the injury report for the first time all season. On top of that WR George Pickens got himself suspended for the first half of the SEC Championship Game by the SEC for throwing punches.

All of this sounds like bad news for Dawgs fans, but Kirby Smart has faced a little bit of adversity in his time in Athens.  Kirby has lost his offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, top 5 receivers, a 1,000 yard rusher, a Jim Thorpe Award winner and has nearly 70% freshmen and sophomores on his team this year (youngest in all of SEC).

All of this and he still has the Bulldogs playing for a College Football Playoff for the third year in a row.  Pretty incredible if you ask me.

Here’s Georgia’s full injury report ahead of the 2019 SEC Championship Game against LSU.