12/6/19 1:00pm
#4 UGA vs #1 LSU SEC Championship Prediction
By. Andrew Rodberg (twitter.com/AndrewRod2019, instagram: 404thebeat)
TV/Radio: CBS 4:00pm
ATLANTA, GA— In their first game back in the Benz since their meltdown vs Alabama, in the 2018 SEC Championship, the Dawgs welcome the #1 LSU Tigers in a Top 5 Showdown. With the Dawgs appearing in the SEC Championship for the third year in a row, they will look to upend the #1 team in the Nation and cement their second CFP appearance in 3 years. According to many, this should be a win for the Tigers, but the Dawgs have other plans. With a 4:00pm kickoff time, the Dawgs have a few keys for victory:
Contain Joe Burrow:
With the passing game and huge part of Tigers offense, the Dawgs defense needs to be locked in. Plugging the gaps and knowing your assignments is going to be key for the Dawgs. With the Tigers boasting an impressive core of WR’s (Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson) who both have eclipsed the 1,000 receiving mark, containing Burrow from scrambling will help the secondary out tremendously. With Joe Burrow the clear Heisman front-runner, he rarely makes mistakes as he has 44 passing TD’s to 6 INT’s. If the Dawgs are able to force Burrow to throw into tight windows, they may be able to cause some havoc and much needed turnovers.
Feed off the Defense:
With the defense being the identity of the 2019 Dawgs, they must continue to have the success like they’ve had all year if they are to stay in this game. With then defense holding strong and not allowing any more than 20 points to any team this year and the high powered LSU offense averaging 48 points a game, something has got to give. With the 2019 Dawgs showing glimpses of the 2012 Crimson Tide (where defense controlled the game), the Dawgs will look for that exact same result vs LSU. In a game where the home team is most likely UGA (since the game is being played in Atlanta) the Dawgs defense must remain grounded and play in the moment. Allowing the pace of the game to determine how they play will be key. A lot like the last few years, the Dawgs have built big leads only to give it up down the stretch, making sure not to get too high or too low will be important if the Dawgs are to pull off the “upset.” (Although it really wouldn’t be an upset)
Remain Balanced Offensively:
With the passing attack continuing to struggle with the absence of Lawrence Cager (out for year with ankle injury) and George Pickens (suspended first half for fight vs GT), someone is going to have to step up if the Dawgs want to remain balanced. Last week Tyler Simmons and Dominick Blaylock snagging TD’s vs GT, they will need a strong showing vs LSU. In making sure not to give up on the passing attack, the running game must be effective. In doing so, the LSU defense will have to load the box in order to defend against the run while exposing the secondary. Attacking the corners is going to be vital if the Dawgs are going to want to move the ball and keep up with the LSU offense.
This game smells and looks to be a lot like the 2018 Rose Bowl vs Oklahoma… Let’s hope the outcome is the same, only time will tell…
404thebeat.com 