After a loss to Florida in The Swamp, the Tigers are looking to rebound and to regain some of their dominance in the SEC. Entering the game Georgia was riding an impressive 6-0 win streak coming into today’s game in Death Valley. But what some people won’t mention is that LSU and UGA have played very different schedules. While LSU has played arguably one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA this year and still managed a 5-1 record entering today’s contest. The Bulldogs strength of schedule does not bode well for them when playing against their SEC West opponent.
Defensively both teams have looked dominant. LSU has made plays across the board, sporting a very impressive back seven and a much improving defensive line. The Bulldogs are almost a reflection of the Tigers in this aspect, getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and causing turnovers with their secondary. Safety Grant Delpit has been an outstanding play maker for the Tigers this season lining up everywhere on the field with the ability to blitz and cover as well.
Offensively the Bulldogs have been able to move the ball against their opponents with little effort, quarterback tandem Jake Fromm and Justin Fields have been carving up defenses both in the air and on the ground. Fromm passing for 1200 yards and completing a whopping 72.8 percent of his passes while Fields has been making plays with his arm and feet. The play of running backs Swift and Holyfield for Georgia has been like a double headed monster. LSU has had a steady rushing attack of Nick Brossette and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and steadily improving play behind transfer quarterback Joe Burrow.
Today’s game was almost everything right for the Tigers and a nightmare for the Bulldogs. “I do believe there was a hunger, I do believe that we felt that we were to blame for losing that football game (against Florida) we didn’t feel like that the team just came out and beat, and that even hurt more.” Coach Orgeron responding to questions tonight about how his team bounced back after the loss to Florida.
Today LSU played its most complete game to date on the season, shutting down a dominant passing attack from Georgia and also making in game adjustments to stop the rushing game of the Bulldogs that came in averaging just over 245 yards a game. “We were shading one way, and then we shaded the other way. That’s how we stopped the run.” said coach Orgeron when asked about the in game adjustments to the run.
With the defense continuing to thrive, and the offense clicking at just the right time, upcoming home games against Mississippi State and that Red Team should be a lot more interesting than the entirety of the nation originally thought. If Death Valley stays full the entire game, and LSU continues to play at a high level like it did today. I’d wager to say that Tiger fans may be storming the field in another two weeks.
After a win like this, on national TV, LSU is firmly in the driver’s seat for controlling its own destiny.
