Who will be hoisting a trophy with confetti falling down Saturday night in Atlanta?

The other trophy, that is. The SEC Championship MVP hardware. In other words, which player will play the biggest part in clinching their team’s Playoff berth on Saturday?

It’s an interesting question that might not be as obvious as you think. No quarterback has earned that honor since Blake Sims in 2014. In fact, we’ve had 2 defensive players (Rueben Foster and Roquan Smith) win MVP during that 4-year stretch.

That’s why this list of MVP candidates for Saturday consists of more than quarterbacks (and actually half defensive players). At the same time, while both teams have ridiculously talented receivers (especially LSU), it seems more likely that a quarterback would take home MVP honors if one of them were to go off.

So, let’s predict 3 potential game MVP winners from each team (in no particular order):

1. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU RB

Edwards-Helaire is on the short list for my favorite players to watch in college football this year. The guy has a motor that’s second to none, which makes him so difficult to bring down. He’s been at his best in LSU’s biggest games, too.

In games against the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Texas, look at the numbers Edwards-Helaire put up:

  • 74 carries for 460 yards
  • 7 rushing TDs
  • 20 catches for 143 yards
  • 1 receiving TD
  • Average of 150.8 scrimmage yards, 2 TDs

When Auburn had an answer for LSU’s passing game, Edwards-Helaire took over in the second half. When Alabama was mounting a comeback, Edwards-Helaire kept his legs churning and scored the dagger touchdown on a play that looked like it should have been a short gain.

He’s been such a perfect fit in Joe Brady’s system because he can do it all, despite what his frame suggests. For my money, he’s a first-team All-SEC tailback this year regardless of what happens Saturday.

And think about this. If Edwards-Helaire goes off Saturday, he’ll do so against a Georgia defense that allowed just 1 rushing score all year. Nobody will question the merits of his MVP candidacy if he delivers yet again.

2. Derek Stingley, LSU CB

There are going to be a handful of moments when Stingley is in single coverage on the outside lined up against Dominick Blaylock or George Pickens (if he plays in the second half), and it’s going to feel like a 50-50 situation. I’m taking Stingley to win that battle more times than not.

The question is if the freshman cornerback turns that into an interception or 2 to put the game on ice.

I certainly could see that happening. Stingley has thrived in those situations this year. His ball skills are already at such a high level that in what could be a favorable matchup for him against a Lawrence Cager-less Georgia group of receivers, there could be spots in which Stingley runs the better route than the Georgia wideouts. If that leads to a couple of instances in which he flips the field for LSU, Stingley’s ridiculous first season will add another highlight.

3. Joe Burrow, LSU QB

Do I even need to explain this one? OK, I will.

Burrow’s season for the ages feels like an SECCG MVP crown is the next step. That’s what Cam Newton did in 2010, and it’s what Tim Tebow did in 2008. That’s the kind of year that Burrow is having. It feels like barring a complete and total collapse on Saturday, public opinion will be on his side to hoist the Heisman Trophy, as well.

And remember that Georgia is the best defense that Burrow and this high-powered LSU offense have seen all year. The Dawgs’ defense hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in a game all year (the pick-6 in the South Carolina game made that a 20-point output). In other words, if LSU is cruising to yet another 40-point effort, that’ll be all the more impressive.

This will be no walk in the park for Burrow, and if anything, the fact that all eyes will be on him could set our expectations extremely high for Saturday. That would actually hurt his chances a bit.

But betting against Burrow in 2019 doesn’t seem like a wise move.

4. Jake Fromm, Georgia QB

I’ve been saying all week that if Georgia is going to win Saturday, it feels like it’ll be because Fromm has a career day. I’m talking 4 touchdown passes and 300 yards to a variety of receivers. Back-shoulder throws on back-shoulder throws.

Everyone knows the hurdle Fromm is facing being without Cager and Pickens, though it’s unknown if the latter will get to play in the second half. We’ve never seen a team lose its top 5 receivers from the previous season and make the Playoff the following year. Georgia is a win from accomplishing that. But it’ll take Fromm doing something that he’s struggled with all year. That is, trusting his young receivers to make plays in single coverage.

Fromm showed signs of doing this against Georgia Tech. James Coley finally started letting him stretch the field a bit, too. It feels like to keep pace with LSU, it’s going to come down to Fromm making some big-time throws.

Let’s not forget that Fromm was a Jalen Hurts comeback away from winning the MVP in this game last year. He was fantastic for most of that game. Granted, that was with a much more experienced group of receivers. It’s been a different story this year. But unlike Burrow, there are some somewhat tempered expectations for Fromm’s performance, which could make a standout game all the more noteworthy.

5. Richard LeCounte, Georgia S

If Georgia wins, we’ll likely be talking about Kirby Smart’s defense. More specifically, we’ll be talking about how Burrow was contained. It’ll be someone like LeCounte making plays all over the field. Fortunately for Georgia, that’s what he’s been doing down the stretch. He’s got either a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception or a tackle for loss in each of the last 4 games.

He’s to Georgia what Grant Delpit is to LSU. He can blow up plays in the backfield and if you make a mistake over the top, LeCounte can make you pay. Whether that’s leading a receiver into a big hit or letting go of an errant throw, LeCounte is capable of making a major impact.

The obvious issue is that Burrow has been historically successful operating in the middle of the field. And perhaps just as important is guys like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase are plenty confident catching balls in between the hashes, which not everyone is.

So yeah, to stop LSU’s biggest strength, it feels like LeCounte would have a major say in doing that.

6. Tyler Clark, Georgia DL

I went a little defense-heavy for Georgia because I believe all the attention will be on the LSU offense. If you give Burrow time, most likely, he’s going to find his open receivers and LSU is going to move the ball with ease. What Burrow does so well is also buy time with his legs.

In steps Clark, AKA the guy who can prevent that. He hasn’t put up gaudy numbers necessarily (8 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks), but that’s kind of how it goes with this Georgia defense. They group tackle, they get in quarterbacks’ faces and they make it a true 60-minute grind. Clark is at the forefront of that. The veteran has the attention of the defensive line-focused Ed Orgeron, who said Clark is “dominant.”

Yeah, I wouldn’t disagree with that:

Clark might not have the explosiveness of some of the 5-star talents in that front 7, but he always seems to win his matchup and make an impact on a few key plays in a game. Might that happen against LSU? It’s certainly possible.

If the Dawgs do contain Burrow on Saturday, my guess is you’ll see a whole lot of No. 52 celebrating.