Tag: uga

BIG 12 Championship Game: What it means for Georgia

What the Oklahoma vs Baylor BIG 12 Championship Game means to Georgia football ahead of its UGA vs LSU game.

Currently, Oklahoma and Baylor are in a fight for the BIG 12 championship.

The Sooners and Bears, No. 6 and No. 7, respectively, are both playing for a shot at making the College Football Playoff.

In order for either of them to get in, they’ll need Georgia to lose to LSU today.

But if Baylor wins, the Bears may need more than just a Georgia loss. They may need Georgia to lose by at least one touchdown.

If Georgia loses to LSU today by, let’s say three points, then the Dawgs could have a very real argument for remaining at the No. 4 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings and sneaking in.

Now if Oklahoma wins today, Georgia needs to flat-out win. A close loss would not cut it.

However, it’s a different story when it comes to Baylor.

It’s unlikely, but does the committee want Baylor in? I personally don’t think they do.

Georgia has three top-15 wins to date, and if Baylor wins today it’ll have one top-25 win.

I don’t think anybody truly believe Baylor could hang with LSU, Clemson or Ohio State. And if Georgia manages to lose to LSU in a fight to the finish, there would be no doubt that Georgia would be the better option for the playoff.

But maybe I’m a little biased.

Score, stat predictions for Georgia vs LSU SEC Championship Game

Here are some score and stat predictions for Georgia football’s LSU vs UGA SEC Championship Game.

Here are some predictions for the Georgia vs LSU SEC Championship Game. 

Score:

What my head is telling me: LSU 27, Georgia 20

What my heart is telling me: Georgia 30, LSU 28

Stats predictions:

LSU players:

QB Joe Burrow: 25/37, 321 yards, four touchdowns, 1 interception

RB Clyde Edwards-Hellaire: 17 carries, 31 yards

WR Ja’Marr Chase: 7 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD

WR Justin Jefferson: 9 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD

Georgia players:

QB Jake Fromm: 16/29, 210 yards, 1 TD

RB D’Andre Swift: 22 carries, 158 yards, 1 TD

WR Dominick Blaylock: 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD

LB Monty Rice: 11 tackles

LB Azeez Ojulari: 1.5 sacks

K Rodrigo Blankenship: 2/2 FGs, 2/2 PATs

College GameDay crew picks winner of Georgia vs LSU

The College GameDay crew picked the winner of the Georgia football SEC Championship Game. UGA vs LSU.

To close out College GameDay from Atlanta, the shows’ crew, accompanied by country music star Zach Brown, picked their winners of the day’s biggest games.

And none is bigger than what is taking place in the SEC, where Georgia and LSU will fight to bring home the conference championship.

The guys picked their winners for the SEC Championship Game.

Desmond Howard: LSU in a close one – saying Georgia’s offense is too banged up

Zach Brown: Georgia – Go Dawgs.

Kirk Herbstreit: LSU – saying it’ll be close for three quarters or so

Lee Corso: LSU – noting the Tiger is more handsome than Uga

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).

Pat McAfee, David Pollack pick winner of Georgia vs LSU SEC Championship

Pat McAfee and Georgia football great David Pollack picked the winner of the UGA vs LSU SEC Championship Game today while on College GameDay

After calling the Dawgs on the set of College GameDay, Pat McAfee gave his prediction for the winner of the Georgia vs LSU SEC Championship Game.

He noted Georgia’s incredible defense and he commented on Rodrigo Blankenship being the best kicker in the country, but in the end it was Joe Burrow’s crazy success this season that ultimately led him to pick LSU.

Accompanied by David Pollack, a Georgia football great, the two previewed the game today. Pollack mentioned that Georgia will need James Cook to step up and make some plays as a pass catcher with George Pickens and Lawrence Cager out (Pickens is missing the first half). He also discussed how playing fast and getting D’Andre Swift might be the key for Georgia to win.

He did, however, also pick LSU to win today.

How Georgia football’s defense can limit LSU QB Joe Burrow

UGA’s defense allows 10.4 PPG. It’s the best defense LSU has seen all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best the Dawgs will face in 2019.

Georgia’s defense is giving up 10.4 points per game and is by all metrics the best defense LSU has played all year. The Tigers’ offense is the best that the Dawgs have faced in 2019 and is led by Joe Burrow, who will likely have his name inscribed onto the Heisman Trophy in a few short weeks.

Burrow has completed an insane 314 of his 401 passing attempts (78.3%), has thrown an even more insane 44 touchdowns, and has amassed 4366 passing yards, enough to make him the SEC record holder for passing yards in a single season.

Those numbers are staggering and present a daunting task for the Silver Britches. But if any unit can possibly limit Joe Burrow, it’s the Bulldogs’ smothering defense.

The Tigers’ quarterback is poised and methodical with an ability to scramble outside the pocket the extend plays. He keeps his eyes downfield and has the speed to roll out and tuck the ball for quick gains to the sideline.

For the Junkyard Dawgs to diminish Burrow’s prowess, they need to keep him in the pocket. Rushing three men while dropping eight, including a spy linebacker eyeing the quarterback, keeps Georgia’s defense in a man free alignment that can negate big plays and contain Louisiana State’s explosive offense.

In 2019, several SEC West teams have used this formation in attempt to confuse Burrow to no avail, but Georgia’s speedy and physical defense possesses better athletes than any defensive group the Tigers have seen thus far, save for Alabama (which is debatable).

All of this is much easier said than done against a team with the Southeastern Conference’s best performing signal caller and an embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position, which includes Biletnikoff Award finalists Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. If Georgia’s secondary can maintain man coverage downfield while the front seven can keeping a spy on Burrow, they can hand LSU their first loss of the year.

Matchup preview: Georgia’s offense against LSU’s defense

The Bulldogs’ offense chose a good time to click again, scoring 52 points in last week’s beatdown of Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

We’ve provided a complete statistical breakdown of the SEC Championship Game as well as a prediction of the matchup between Georgia’s defense and LSU’s offense. Today we explore how the Silver Britches’ offense stacks up against LSU’s defense.

The Bulldogs’ offense chose a good time to click again, scoring 52 points in last week’s beatdown of Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Georgia averaged only 22 points per game in its six previous contests, not having scored over 30 points during the stretch. This followed a 5-0 start during which the offense scored 42.8 points per game.

LSU’s defense has been inconsistent in recent weeks but found their form last week against Texas A&M, yielding just 169 yards to the Aggies after allowing 304 yards against SEC bottom-dweller Arkansas and a whopping 614 yards versus 4-8 Ole Miss the week prior.

Without injured leading wide receiver Lawrence Cager, Georgia’s offense had to get a bit more creative in their regular season closer. We saw more toss sweeps and end-arounds against from the Dawgs against the Yellow Jackets.

Second-leading receiver George Pickens is suspended for the first half of the SEC Championship following a fight with Georgia Tech defensive back Tre Swilling, which will force Georgia to turn even more toward the run against an LSU secondary allowing a mediocre 2657 passing yards on the season, ranked 56th out of 130 FBS teams.

The Tigers’ defense is ranked 28th in rushing defense; their opponents have gained 1494 ground yards this season.

UGA’s tailbacks have eclipsed 2400 yards, more than any of Louisiana State’s previous 2019 opponents. Over half of those yards have been gained by D’Andre Swift, whose minor shoulder injury hasn’t limited his participation in practice but may limit him in terms of carries.

With a receiving corps already struggling to earn separation missing one-and-a-half of its most productive members and a consequently struggling Jake Fromm, who’s completed under 50% of attempted passes in, expect James Coley’s offense to focus on establishing the run to wear down LSU’s defense going into the second half.

At that point, George Pickens will be available and all bets are off.

Georgia football releases EPIC SEC Championship hype video

Georgia football released an epic SEC Championship hype video of the UGA vs LSU SEC Championship Game.

Saturday at 4 p.m. the Georgia season will be on the line.

Nobody is giving us a shot to beat LSU. Nobody thinks the Dawgs deserve to be ranked No. 4. Nobody thinks Jake Fromm can throw. Nobody thinks our receivers will step up. Nobody thinks Kirby Smart can coach in a big game. Nobody wants to talk about what we’ve done; only what we have not done, which is beat South Carolina.

Nobody believes in Georgia.

But Saturday in Atlanta, the Bulldogs, the only team that has played in the SEC Championship for each of the last three seasons, will have a chance to silence the critics ands prove that defense does still win championships.

If this hype video, which was released by the Georgia football Twitter account, does not get your blood boiling, I recommend seeking help.

It’s time to put or shut up.

Go. Damn. Dawgs.

What the national media is saying about Georgia vs LSU SEC Championship Game

Here is what the national media is saying about Georgia football prior to the UGA vs LSU SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

This week, we wrote about what the LSU media is saying about Georgia prior to the SEC Championship Game.

Now we are looking at what the national media has to say about the game and their objective forecast about what will happen on Saturday in Atlanta.

Eddie Timanus of USA TODAY Sports

Title: Bold predictions for Week 15 in college football

Read full story here.

LSU-Georgia has the potential to be close, but it won’t be, either. Georgia’s defense is outstanding, but it will be on the field too long.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Watch, stream, stats, info: Everything you need to know about Georgia vs LSU

Here is everything you need to know about Georgia football vs LSU in the SEC Championship.

On Saturday, No. 4 (11-1) takes on its biggest test of the season, an undefeated No. 2 ranked LSU team.

For Georgia, this is the same scenario as last year. Win the game and you’re in the College Football Playoff.

Here is everything you need to know about the game:

Georgia vs LSU

Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Stream: Watch ESPN

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Commentators: Gary Danielson, Brad Nessler, Jamie Erdahl

Satellite Radio: XM 191

Georgia Radio: Athens 960 AM/106.1 FM; Atlanta 750 AM/95.5 FM; Macon 106.3 FM; Augusta 580 AM/95.1 FM; Savannah 1400 AM/104.3 FM; Columbus 1460 AM/100.1 FM; Valdosta 105.9 FM; Rome 107.1 FM (IMG Radio-Scott Howard, Eric Zeier, Chuck Dowdle)

Fan Forecast, provided by Vivid Seats: Georgia fans, 69% – LSU fans, 31%

Season’s so far: Georgia, sitting at No. 4 in the CFP rankings, is 11-1 and 7-1  in SEC play. LSU is ranked No. 2 with a mark of 12-0 and 8-0 in conference.

Line: LSU -7.5

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6 p.m. ET.

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

Over/under: 54.5

Matchup predictor: 44.3% chance of a Georgia victory, per ESPN’s FPI

Georgia injury report: Click here

Series history: Georgia and LSU have met 31 times. LSU has won 17, Georgia 13 and one tie.

SECCG history: Since 2000, no team has made the SEC Championship Game more than Georgia, which is making its eighth appearance and third in a row. LSU will be making its sixth trip to Atlanta, and this will be the Tigers fourth time facing the Bulldogs in the game.

Prediction: Georgia wins 24-20

Last week: Georgia beat Georgia Tech 52-7 and LSU beat Texas A&M 50-7.

Georgia pep rally: 1:45 p.m.

Gates open: 2 p.m.

Tickets: TicketIQ

Stats: Every single stat you need to know about both teams can be found here