Is It a Foregone Conclusion That LSU Will Win SEC Championship?

In all likelihood, we will see LSU and Georgia in what should determine if the SEC has a sixth straight representative in the BCS National Championship.

Who knows, maybe Georgia can actually pull off the upset. After all, it has only lost one game in the SEC despite not having Alabama, Arkansas or LSU on the schedule.

Yet, people still doubt this Bulldogs squad because they have not played the so-called “best three teams in the SEC”—at least in terms of the BCS Standings.

Plus, Georgia started 0-2 and was written off when it lost to Boise State (who isn’t a bad team). Even some Bulldog fans wanted or still want Richt to get out of town. Yet somehow, the Bulldogs have fought through all the injuries, suspensions and negative hot-seat talks by being able to control their own destiny if they knock off Auburn and Kentucky.

History Repeating Itself?

Two of the past six SEC Championship winners were underdogs and the lower-ranked team. We have seen the giants fall before in college football, so don’t punch your tickets to the Louisiana Superdome yet if you are a Bayou Bengal fan.

Also, don’t forget the Georgia Bulldogs are as hot as any team out there in the entire country right now. They should have backup running back Richard Samuel back for the SEC Championship and star receiver Malcolm Mitchell will have at least two games as a starter under his belt.

Defense Wins Championship

Defensively, the Bulldogs are sixth in pass efficiency and 24th in total yards against the pass. They are much more suited to stop the powerhouse rushing attack of LSU since they are also eighth in the nation against the run. Their 3-4 defense is led by a loaded group of linebackers that can chase you down from sideline to sideline.

Jarvis Jones, Michael Gillard, Christian Robinson, Abry Jones, Amarlo Herrera, Chase Vasser, Cornelius Washington and Alec Ogletree have all proven to be solid playmakers.

Throw in a few stud safeties who play the run like linebackers and these Bulldogs have the ingredients to rock and shock the world of college football.

Special Teams Improvement?

The special teams have to play better, right? Blair Walsh and Drew Butler were All-American studs the past few seasons and yet we have seen the Bulldogs rank 104th in net punting. Walsh has missed 10 kicks this season despite only missing a combined five kicks from the previous two seasons.       

The Best Team Hands Down?

LSU does not scream as the most explosive offense in America. It has legit numbers, ranking 20th in scoring offense (35 PPG) and 38th in rushing offense (184 YPG).

However, it is just 87th in the nation in total offense averaging 357 yards per game. Yet, even in my eyes, there is no disputing who is the best team in the nation (for now).

Georgia could have all the momentum in the world if it continues to improve in every game. 

Bayou Bengals Swag

LSU’s defense and special teams have been flawless and the team often gets all of its points set up by dominating those two facets of the game.

Speaking of those freaks on defense, the stats are quite gaudy right now. The Bayou Bengals are second in the nation against the run allowing a pedestrian 78 yards per game. They are also fourth in pass efficiency defense and ninth in total pass defense (177 YPG).  

So, You're Saying There’s a Chance!?

The biggest reason for hope has been the stellar play from Aaron Murray and one could argue he would easily be the best signal-caller the Tigers have faced all season.

Seriously, the best quarterback LSU has faced all season has been Geno Smith?

Georgia can beat LSU if it spreads them out with Orson Charles, Malcolm Mitchell and Tavarres King along with Chris Conley, Michael Bennett and Marlon Brown. LSU’s ball-hawking secondary has been prone to playing too aggressive and often gets called for pass interference when it isn't picking passes off. 

The crucial key to pulling off the upset just might be winning the battle in the trenches (No kidding!) with Richard Samuel IV and Isiah Crowell. The Bulldogs offensive line has been tremendous and it will be a challenge to block the eight to 10 different linemen that LSU throws at you.

If Murray can put together one of his better games as a Bulldog and if the run defense comes to play, I would argue Georgia has a legit chance to pull off the upset.