Bold predictions, SEC Championship Game edition
It’s bold predictions time, but instead of going around the SEC and predicting something crazy, we’ve got to stay in the parameters of one game. Obviously, crazy in this case has to be more specific than just a general outcome prediction. Here are a half-dozen bold predictions for the SEC title game.
1. LSU passes for 350
Georgia does have an incredibly stout defense, doubtlessly tougher than anything LSU has seen all season. But by the same token, Georgia has feasted off a series of weak offenses. UGA’s SEC schedule pitted the Dawgs against the league’s 14th, 12th, 11th, ninth, sixth, 10th, fourth, and eighth most productive offenses. Of the teams Georgia played, Florida is the one whose passing game most resembles LSU’s, although obviously it’s several notches below that. That game was largely decided by shaky officiating, and UF passed for 257 yards on 33 attempts (with no interceptions). LSU will have 350 or so passing yards on Saturday.

As good as the Georgia defense is, it hasn’t faced the likes of Joe Burrow. Photo by: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
2. Georgia creates some turnovers
As good as the UGA defense was, its season was built on playing bad offenses and getting ahead of them early. UGA’s own offense was fifth in the SEC, but some of that was built on playing conservatively and avoiding mistakes. UGA’s 11 turnovers were second only to Alabama (with 10) for the fewest all season. But the scary thing for the Bulldogs is that despite playing with their ears pinned back for most of the year, UGA forced only 13 turnovers, and in the SEC, only Vanderbilt forced fewer. UGA’s one loss was impacted severely by a minus-4 turnover margin. Georgia probably needs to go plus-1 or -2 to have a good shot at LSU, and we can see it doing that. Richard LeCounte has a big play or two at the ready.
3. LSU may struggle in the red zone
Georgia was a solid offensive team in the red zone, scoring on 47 of its 49 red zone possessions this season. Thirty-three of those scores were touchdowns, a rate of 67.3 percent, which is in the upper half of the SEC. While LSU was also very, very good in the red zone (47 touchdowns in 61 red zone visits), the Georgia defense was superb in those situations. Opponents made it to the UGA red zone 21 times but reached the end zone only eight (38.1 percent). LSU, on the other hand, allowed touchdowns in 19 of 32 red zone situations (59.4 percent). If Georgia can trade 7s for LSU’s 3s, that might let the Bulldogs outscore the Tigers.
4. D’Andre Swift comes up big for UGA
Georgia will probably stay fairly close to the vest, particularly early given the first-half loss of receiver George Pickens. When UGA has been in tough situations, it has given the ball to Swift. His two highest-carry games this year were the Florida win and the South Carolina loss. Swift has had 20 carries in only three games, but we see 25 for 115 yards as he keeps the Bulldogs in the game.

Georgia may need D’Andre Swift to be a workhorse, especially in the first half. Photo by: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
5. Ja’Marr Chase is the standout for LSU
Georgia will do a pretty good job on Justin Jefferson outside, but Chase is all but unstoppable in space. In his past five games (which included Auburn, Alabama and Texas A&M), he has had between 6 and 8 catches and 123 and 227 yards in each game. Yes, Georgia is good. But put Chase down for 7 catches for 150 yards.
6. Georgia leads at the half, but Burrow rallies LSU
Georgia has a little more to play for, it will be focused and it will run its relatively conservative game plan. This will be a high-scoring affair for a Georgia game, but after a couple of early turnovers by LSU and a drive or two ending in field goals, UGA will have a halftime lead. In the fourth quarter, though, Joe Burrow will do Joe Burrow things. He’ll put the exclamation point on his Heisman season and lead LSU to a comeback 31-27 win.
Go Doggies! East finally wins!
You can’t really be a Gator fan if you are rooting for UGA.
We’ll take the support from wherever we can get it, but I feel the same way about Dawg fans rooting for UF.
You don’t cheer for UF to win a conference-boosting game, you cheer for their opponent to lose. The Miami-UF sloppy debacle was perfect. Florida looked like a mess, and the ACC looked even worse.
LSU doesn’t have a chance. Transfer quarterbacks always fold in these situations.
Meanwhile our version of Stoops gets a $500,000 raise for reaching the GREAT 80.
even though he can’t recruit a highschool quarterback
To bad LSU won’t win
LSUMC will be sad forever
And kentucky will never winn the sec schampionship either.
I think it’ll be a hell of a game. But I think saying LSU won’t have a chance is WILDLY off base. Burrow hasn’t folded all season. He will definitely be tested tomorrow but he’s cool as a cucumber.
DUMDUM!! DUMDUM!!
LSU wins 40-16.
Probably more likely than UGA winning by that score but if you spotted me 24 points in this game I’ve some gambling money.
I don’t think the WLOCP was “largely decided” by officiating. That’s a lazy take.
It was largely decided by the score, at least that’s what I saw.
Geaux Tigers!!
This guy is stupid..I only remember the one catch probably no catch by Cager…the Flordia game was not decided by officiating…
Georgia’s not going to score 27.
Vandy scored 38 so I don’t think it’s that far fetched
Kinda beginning to feel like Bama with all these naysayers. Gonna feel good knowing who’s eating crow tomorrow night. Enjoy. Tiger D is gonna be on tomorrow boys and Burrow is gonna be lights out. Roll on Tigers !!!
Naysayers??? Everyone on here is saying UGA is going to lose by 3 TDs
Texas scored 38
Vandy scored 38
Florida scored 28
Bama scored 41
Ole Miss scored 37
I think UGA can score 27 or 31. That’s not the problem. Burrow will pass and do Burrow things.
The writing was on the wall plain to see. Georgia fans just think way too highly of their recruiting and Kirby
For the LAST Time…..LSU By 21 points. Lsu WILL Pound it, Then Pass it for a Score of 35-14……BET IT ALL !!!!
Agreed Georgia will not finally find an offense. LSU by 21 or more
I’ll take UGA and 21 points all day. What’s my limit on the bet? I want to max bet
Guess you would have lost that bet. UGA ALWAYS overrated
Also, that offense scored 45 points last time out. I guess they didn’t find their offense and LSU didn’t find their defense when they held A&M to 7 points.
14-0……CRICKETS……….LMAO !
For Georgia to win they are gonna need to lean on that defense and Fromm can’t have any turnovers. Gotta get a better plan then run up the middle on 1st and second down and a checkdown pass short of the sticks on third
If LSU’s offense sets the pace Georgia will have a hard time trying to keep up.
LSU great offense, ok defense
Georgia great defense, bad offesne
If Georgia keeps the game in the 24-28 point range they have a shot
Prediction: LSU 31-21
That bad offense hung 43 points on your team. How bad is your defense?
pretty bad, have fun laying an egg in whatever bowl you go to. 1980
Time to go get alcohol induced prepared for the SEC title game, boyz. Eastern conference wish us well, we’ll try to represent respectably! GO Leghumpers!
After watching the pac 12 last night and the first half of the big12 today. I’m hoping UGA wins, I think they can give Clemson or OSU a way better game than Baylor or OU.
I wouldn’t mind that a bit. 2 SEC teams in the finals is more $ to divvy up between schools. Though I think schools should get % pay outs based on their conference standings. Like Vandy getting full bowl splits is kinda rediculous. Go SEC.
Hmmm, don’t mind if I do. Call forth our Gladiators. Let the good times roll. A good game to all and no injuries. Go SEC !!!!
Made it through #1 and stopped reading… The only “shaky” officiating in the UGA/UF game was the non calls on the Florida WRs that we’re having to push off to create space from being blanketed by the UGA DBs. Still an ass whoopin’! Take that nonsense somewhere else Joe…. You’re a joke dude!
14-0……Crickets !
I took LSU -7. This seemed very logical to make that bet.
As expected Georgia lucky they ain’t down 21-3 early in the second
Geaux Tigers.
Burrow and Stingley are easily the MVPs. They’ve been playing unreal.
I thought I’d be rooting for UGA (I did for the past 2 years), it ended up rooting for LSU ever since we lost to them. They’re just so good this year. Tho I’m rooting for LSU, I just hate seeing all these UGA players get injured.
UGA and Blankenship are cursed today. I was hoping for a closer game.
LSU in a blow out!! That’s all you need to know