Georgia-LSU matchup may provide a late thriller

This weekend in Tiger Stadium will feature a clash of the SEC titans. Literally there are titans on the field when it comes to the huge offensive lines on both sides.

Georgia’s starters average nearly 6-foot-5 and 324 pounds per man. The Tigers check in at an average of between 6-4 to 6-5 and 322 pounds.

No. 2 Georgia and No. 13 LSU could be a thriller even though the Tigers are a 7.5 point underdog. This game has a feel of the 2003 game played in the daytime at Tiger Stadium which LSU won 17-10. I feel this one will be another low scoring matchup.

LSU paces the SEC with eight interceptions and the defense has recorded 13 sacks. On the flip side, the reigning SEC chanpion Bulldogs have dropped the opposing quarterback just six times in as many games. Tackles for loss are also an area where LSU has the advantage (34-23). Perhaps the Tigers will fare better in the trenches in this matchup on their home field than they did at key times last week in Gainesville.

Georgia’s defense is stout on third downs, ranking in nation’s top 20 in stop rate. The Bulldogs have been getting off the field without having a dominating pass rush.

Sophomore quarterback Jacob Fromm has completed 72.8 percent of his pass offerings so far. The all-time SEC mark for a season was set by Tim Couch at 72.3 percent in the late 1990’s. An efficient game manger, Fromm is 18-2 as a starter. He has thrown for 1,200 yards 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.

LSU’s Joe Burrow has tossed for 1,214 yards, six touchdowns and two picks but has only completed 54 percent of his throws.

The UGA tandem at running back has been effective as well. Elijah Holyfield has 432 yards rushing (7.4 average) with three scores. D’Andre Swift has added 290 yards (4.9/carry) and four touchdown. This uo is not last season’s pair of star runners, current NFL rookies Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.

Backup Bulldogs freshman quarterback Justin Fields is a weapon, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. He brings more explosive qualities than Fromm so he could be a gamble worth taking if Georgia needs a spark Saturday.

Wide receivers Mecole Hardman and Riley Ridley have collaborated for 597 yards on 44 catches and eight touchdowns for a Georgia offense that averages 43 points per game.

Against a defense that allows just 13 points on average, LSU’s offensive line will be challenged, facing an eight-man rotation for the Dawgs that features Tyler Clark (14 tackles and 2.5 TFL) and Jonathan Ledbetter (11 stops and 1 TFL). Notre Dame grad transfer Jay Hayes had sevens tackles as a member of the Irish against Georgia in 2017 but now plays for the Dawgs.

Senior cornerback Deandre Baker, a preseason All-American, has 21 stops, six pass breakups and a pair of interceptions.

LSU is 2-0 in the role of the underdog this season, knocking off then-Top 10 ranked Miami and Auburn. Georgia is a step up in competition though. The game will be dictated by the defense and the ability to make big plays on offense.

Third down conversions will be key and the timing of penalties will decide a lot. LSU cannot struggle in these categories and expect to pull the upset.

Georgia will load the box and try to make Joe Burrow beat them with his arm under duress. The Tigers will have to experience success in the short passing game, using slants and quick outs that they perhaps have not used enough. Screens won’t work against Georgia since they will be selective with blitzes. Crowding the line of scrimmage and sending the house are two different concepts.

LSU throws 45 percent of the time on offense on average but shots downfield will be needed to loosen up UGA. Can the line hold a pocket well enough to allow that to happen?

Last week, the Tigers displayed poor tackling and allowed yards after contact too often against the Gators. They can’t do that again. Starting linebacker Jacob Phillips returns from injury, which will help the run defense and improve LSU’s tackling in space.

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS: Damien Lewis has evolved into LSU’s best lineman. The junior college addition has played 362 snaps with 14 knockdowns. He is the most consistent Tiger up front. Lloyd Cushenberry is not far behind, providing solid play and a pleasant surprise at center.

YOUTH SERVED: LSU has had 17 players make their first career start in ’18. OVerall, 13 true freshmen have played so far.

SENIOR STRENGTH: Nick Brossette has 576 rushing yards and eight touchdowns to lead the Tigers. Only 13 players in LSU history have rushed for 1,000 yards in a single season, but the senior Brossette has a chance to join that elite fraternity.

TOP OPTION: Justin Jefferson is developing into a solid SEC receiver. The Destrehan product runs good routes, sows reliable hands and blocks well. He only had one catch in his career coming into this season but has 21 grabs for 344 yards and two touchdowns through six games in 2018.

OTHER OPTIONS: Foster Moreau has eight catches but three of the senior tight end’s grabs have gone for 20 yards or more. Freshman Ja’Marr Chase has 7 catches but three of those have gone for at least 20 yards, so he may see more playing time this week with the injured Dee Anderson out.

Jonathan Giles has not put up the numbers that everyone anticipated. He has worked very hard at LSU since transferring from Texas Tech but his former team threw the ball over 50 times per game over average. Running the ball was not a priority on for the Air Raid offense. Giles has just seven catches for 32 yards this season. Look for that to change, one way (more production) or another (LSU gives snaps to other receivers) soon.

NEXT IN LINE: Sophomore safety Grant Delpit is the next coming of Eric Reid and Jamal Adams. He will be an All-American before he departs. Delpit is tied for second on the team with 37 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss while adding three sacks and three interceptions. He has elite talent.

NUMBERS THAT MATTER, OR NOT: LSU leads the all-time series with Georgia, 16-13-1, but the programs just don’t meet often enough as SEC cross-division teams. It’s a pity.

In six games this season, LSU has a turnover margin of plus-5 and Georgia is at plus-6. I think LSU has a played a more challenging schedule at this point but the Tigers showed that happens when they lose the turnover battle (loss at Florida). That cannot happen this week.

PREDICTION: I think this game comes down to the fourth quarter to decide the winner. If LSU can minimize penalties and convert on third downs enough to win the field position battle, they will improve to 6-1. I think they will. The time is right for the Tigers against a talented foe yet to face a close, late challenge. What a way to celebrate Jerry Stovall jersey retirement weekend! This underdog version of LSU is a live dog against the Dawgs.