BCS Rankings: Georgia Bulldogs Can Be Surprise Winner out of SEC East

The Georgia Bulldogs appeared to be one of the most disappointing teams in college football after two losses to start the season. 

Now, Mark Richt's team has climbed the BCS rankings to No. 18 and is riding a six-game winning streak.

More importantly, the Bulldogs are poised to finish the season strong and book a trip down the road to the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship Game.

Here's why Georgia fans better book their tickets now for the SEC showdown in Atlanta. 

South Carolina Will Lose Another SEC Game

The Georgia Bulldogs do not control their own destiny.

Not to fret, Bulldog fans. The Gamecocks will falter down the stretch to help Georgia's cause.

This Saturday, South Carolina travels to Arkansas to take on the high-powered Razorbacks of Bobby Petrino. In four of its last five games, South Carolina has struggled to score points. That does not bode well in a matchup against the best offense in the SEC.

South Carolina's defense will contain Tyler Wilson and the Hogs, but cannot be expected to shut them out.

With the Gamecock loss, Georgia will take the lead in the SEC East and control its own destiny. 

Georgia Will Defeat Auburn

The Auburn Tigers are a young, inexperienced football team with permeating questions under center.

The Georgia Bulldogs are a team on the rise with increased confidence riding into a home game versus the Tigers.

Auburn recently made a change at quarterback, inserting Clint Moseley behind center. Moseley performed well against Ole Miss, completing 12 of 15 passes for 160 yards and four touchdowns.

However, Ole Miss is no Georgia. Moseley will struggle on the road in a hostile environment in Athens.

Mark Richt will lead his team to a big home victory, and it will be a home win against lowly Kentucky sealing a ticket to Atlanta. 

Georgia's Defense

Since allowing 42 points to South Carolina, the Georgia defense has turned a complete about-face.

In its last six games, Georgia has only allowed 13.8 points per game in the heart of its SEC schedule.

The Bulldogs sacked Florida quarterback John Brantley six times, and held the Gator offense to 226 yards of total offense on Saturday.

If the Dawgs can keep up the recent surge on defense, look for Georgia to finish out the regular season unscathed with a 10-2 record. 

Resiliency

It doesn't always look pretty. Georgia's offense will not be mistaken for a team like Oklahoma State.

But this team is very resilient. Credit is due for coach Mark Richt. After two losses to start the season, many teams would have folded. Richt motivated his team to rebound and now has Georgia in prime position to win the SEC East.

The team's resolve was put to the test against Florida on Saturday. The Bulldogs were able to come from behind in a must-win game for the Bulldogs' SEC hopes. 

Do or Die for Mark Richt

Georgia will win the SEC East, well, because they have to.

They do for Mark Richt, anyway.

If the Bulldogs fail to reach the SEC Championship game in a down season for the division, Richt is on the chopping block. Georgia played a relatively easy schedule for an SEC team, avoiding the likes of LSU, Alabama and Arkansas.

It is Richt's job to take advantage. He has done a great job salvaging a bad start to the season thus far. Now it is paramount that he continue the momentum with his position on the line.