LSU vs. Georgia: Live Game Grades and Analysis for the Tigers

Final: Georgia 44, LSU 41

The LSU Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs met in a battle of titans Saturday. In the end, the Bulldogs came out on top.

For a full box score, check out NCAA.com.

Final Analysis of the LSU Tigers

Pass Offense

If you didn't believe in Zach Mettenberger before this game, maybe a 372-yard effort will convince you of his abilities. Mettenberger continually found open receivers, against the greatest of odds. Jarvis Landry finished with 10 receptions for 156 yards.

Rush Offense

The ground game was a little bit better in the second half for the Tigers, finishing the day with 77 total yards. In the end, the ground game was largely ineffective, and the passing game took over.

Pass Defense

The secondary had multiple breakdowns throughout the game, including on the final touchdown of the game, when Justin Scott-Wesley was left wide open.

Aaron Murray finished with 298 yards and four touchdowns.

Rush Defense

Keith Marshall wasn't able to get much after Todd Gurley left the game with an ankle injury. The Bulldogs finished with 198 yards on the ground, but the Tigers allowed only 53 yards in the second half.

Special Teams

The big play of the game came on Odell Beckum's fumbled punt return. Georgia turned that turnover into a touchdown.

Coaching

Offensively, the coaches made all the right calls to put Mettenberger in good spots to be successful.

Defensively, the coaches have a lot to fix.

1st-Half Analysis of the LSU Tigers

Pass Offense

Zach Mettenberger made a lot of good throws in the first half, most notably reading what the defense was doing. Both touchdown throws were Mettenberger understanding what Georgia’s defense was throwing at him.

He finished the half with 142 passing yards.

Rush Offense

The Tigers struggled to run the ball in the first half, only getting 15 yards on the ground. If they’re going to win this game, Jeremy Hill is going to have to get going in the second half.

Pass Defense

Aaron Murray had 163 yards passing as the defense struggled early in the first and late in the second to stop the passing game.

Anthony Johnson did have an interception, though.

Rush Defense

Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall ran all over the LSU defense, totaling 142 yards between them. LSU simply had no answer for them.

Special Teams

Colby Delahoussaye had a 49-yard field goal, and Jamie Keehn averaged 43 yards on his two punts, giving the Tigers a good first half on special teams.

Coaching

LSU’s coaching gets good marks for the way it prepared Mettenberger, who read all of his keys throughout the first half.