SEC Championship Game: 5 Players Who'll Make or Break the Game for Both Teams

For the teams who are hoping to get an at-large bid to the BCS, there may not be a more important game than the one for the SEC Championship.

Should Georgia win and Alabama and LSU remain in the top two spots—something that is expected to happen—then the Bulldogs would receive a bid to the Sugar Bowl.

Here are the five players who will make or break the game for both teams.

Tyrann Mathieu

There hasn’t been a more explosive player on defense anywhere in the country this season. The Honey Badger really does take what he wants; he’s been on the end of an incredible six turnovers for the year while forcing six fumbles.

One of the biggest weapons LSU has is their turnover margin which is tops nationally. If Georgia succumbs to that, it doesn’t have a shot at a win.

Jarvis Jones

Jones is more of a pass rushing linebacker, but he will need to have a big game for his Bulldogs to win. LSU never stops pounding the ball up the middle, and it will be crucial that they stop the attack early and force obvious passing situations.

The best way to do that is with Jones getting pressure early and often.

Barkevious Mingo & Sam Montgomery

These guys will be tasked with getting after Aaron Murray all game, and they should do it a lot considering Georgia’s offensive line ranks 70th nationally and sixth in the SEC in sacks allowed.

In their two early season losses, pressure on the quarterback was a huge problem for the Bulldogs, and they can’t afford to have their offensive tackles get dominated like many other players have.

Brandon Boykin

Boykin is arguably the most explosive player on Georgia’s roster, but after being used effectively on offense the first few weeks of the season, the cornerback hasn’t seen much of the ball.

With the game played in Atlanta, a huge play could seriously shift the momentum of the game, and if anyone can bring that, whether on offense, defense or special teams, it would be him.

Aaron Murray

His stats this season mimic nearly identically how high the other team’s pass defense is, and against LSU’s talent-rich secondary, that is not good. Murray will need to have an efficient day throwing the ball because the Tigers will undoubtedly put him in 3rd-and-long situations multiple times throughout the game.

Isaiah Crowell will do his best to get yards, but it will be the accuracy and decision making of Murray that will give Georgia a chance to win.