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The University of Georgia Bulldogs have been here before. Their match up versus the LSU Tigers will mark the third season in a row Georgia has made it to the SEC title game.
The Bulldogs might have the experience edge but the Tigers have not sputtered in the face of any big test this season. Kirby Smart and his third ranked defense should be up to the task of slowing down Joe Burrow and LSU’s second ranked offense. The Bulldogs’ offense is the unit that will need to step up.
Georgia averages 32.9 points per game which is almost 16 points less than the Tigers average on the season. With the defense closing the gap somewhat, the offense will have to take it up a notch to put Georgia in the win column.
I asked quarterback Jake Fromm if he needed to step up his game to win the SEC title game. He responded by saying, “I think it’s more about playing together than anybody having to step up and make any more plays than they need to”.
The offense will have to play together and stay away from costly mistakes. Wide receiver George Pickens will be suspended for the first half of the game. Running back D’Andre Swift is battling a shoulder injury and his fumbling has been a concern. The team will lean on running back Brian Herrian (six rushing touchdowns) for more carries but they feel Swift will play.
Georgia will have to find ways to score early and put the pressure on the Tigers’ defense. The Bulldogs’ defense will be ready to play and they feel confident they can handle the LSU offense.
I asked tight end Charlie Woerner if Georgia needed to put a lot of points on the board to beat LSU. “I know our defense is gonna play really well, so I mean offense has got to do what we got to do you know and put points on the board and see how the game goes”, Woerner said.
If Woerner and the rest of Fromm’a targets can find openings in the LSU defense, they could determine the outcome of the game. The one thing the Tigers don’t want to do is give UGA an early lead and have the task of coming back against that defense.
Kirby Smart wants to get back to the College Football playoffs and ultimately capture his first National Championship. To do this, he will need his offense to match the intensity of his defense.
