Last week this was looking like a top-five matchup but the LSU Tigers toppled eight spots in the AP Top 25 with a loss to the Gators in Florida in Week 6. The Bulldogs remained perfect at 6-0 (3-3 ATS) with a 41-13 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday. The schools haven’t met since 2013 and the Bulldogs open as a 7-point favorite on the road and the line has moved to 8 on Thursday.
SEC Heating Up
The SEC touts itself as the best conference in college football and the results have backed that up in recent years. The Florida Gators kept themselves in contention with a huge win over LSU in Week 6, denying the undefeated game between Georgia and LSU in Week 7.
With the loss, LSU has put itself in jeopardy and now needs a win at home over nationally No. 2-ranked Georgia on Saturday. The Tigers are now a very average 2-1 in conference play and will be a 8-point underdog as they look to pay the upset forward.
Burrow Under 200 Yards, Brossette Under 100 in Four of Six Games
LSU has thrived on defense this season, but underwhelming numbers are beginning to pile up for their top two offensive threats, Joe Burrow and Nick Brossette. Burrow has just six passing TDs through six games and had no TD passes and two interceptions in the Florida loss.
Brossette ran for 95 yards vs Florida, but 79 of them came on one drive. It’s true that defensively strong teams are more likely to win championships, but you have to be able to score, too. The Tigers are allowing just 17 points per game – tied for 15th in the nation – but they need more from their QB and RB.
The Bulldogs defense is ranked second in the FBS with just 13 points allowed per game and their 283 yards per game is seventh. Considering the tough time that Burrow and Brossette have been having to this point, I have to give the Georgia defense the nod over the LSU defense.
Georgia Ranked 15th with 42.8 points per game
While LSU has covered up its lack of offense with strong defense, the Bulldogs have been complementing their defense with strong offense. Their 42.8 points per game is 15th in the nation while their 485 yards on offense is 23rd.
Heisman candidate Jake Fromm has a 72.8 percent completion rate (fifth) to go with a 192.5 QB rating (fourth). LSU’s pass defense is 59th, allowing 221.7 yards per game, but it was on the ground where the Tigers got hit hard against Florida for 215 yards.
Enter Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift, who have a combined 722 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Georgia is 16th in the FBS with 245 rushing yards per game and is averaging 6.0 yards per carry, the 10th-best mark in the nation.
My Pick for This game
Even though LSU is dominant at home, I don’t think the Tigers can hang with the Georgia Bulldogs, especially coming off such a disappointing loss to Florida. I have no doubt this game will be entertaining and LSU will put up a strong fight. If you were able to get Georgia at -7 before the line moved, good for you. If not, keep an eye on the line as the game approaches. LSU could be able to keep this game within 10 points.