Front Porch Football2019 SEC Championship Preview
The Southeastern Conference Championship is historically an exciting game. It’s where some of the greatest football is played; legends are born; boys become men; and the winner is crowned king of the SEC. However, since the birth of the College Football Playoff in 2014, there was something missing. Although the games were full of exciting plays and hard hitting football, it wasn’t the same as it once was for two reasons.
First, prior to the CFP, the SEC Championship almost always decided who would go on to play for a National Title. Now the CFP means more championship football, which turns conference championships into another notch on the belt for teams.
Second, Alabama has taken a lot of fun out of the SEC Championship. The Crimson Tide is like that one kid who hit puberty in fourth grade. While everyone is phasing out their lego star wars shirt, he’s shaving before school. Recess was never fun with this kid because he stood a good two feet taller than everyone and weighed fifty pounds more. Since 2014 Alabama has won four of the five conference titles, launching them into the CFP. Even in 2017 when Alabama lost the West to Auburn, they still made it into the Playoffs…and won yet another National Championship.
2019 SEC Championship
However, 2019 brings back a ton of excitement. The main reason being Alabama is nowhere to be found in the Playoff race. But also because LSU and Georgia is an exciting matchup. The Tigers have one of the most electrifying offenses in the country. That being said, Georgia’s defense will give LSU a significant challenge. Yes, this game should be exciting, but more importantly it rejuvenates fans of football everywhere. We picked the games on Instagram, but here are our thoughts on LSU vs Georgia.
Brendan Paschal: What we are witnessing in 2019 is LSU’s manifest destiny. For years, fans have watched the Tigers fall short even though they were full of talented players. Les Miles brought the Tigers close time and time again, but he never quite made it. Enter Ed Orgeron. He has recruited well, represented LSU, and brought together a phenomenal coaching staff. Furthermore, this team is full of mature veteran players who know how to block out the noise. They all have one goal – to win a National Championship. Post-game interviews after the Alabama game showed happy Tigers, but everyone mentioned this was not their ultimate goal, and that their next week opponent (Ole Miss) was a talented team. What did they do the following weekend? They crushed the Rebs, and left the freaking Magnolia Bowl trophy on the field! Yes, Georgia is a great team, but I believe LSU will come out and take care of business once again.
Final Score: LSU 45 Georgia 24
Michael Pavy: I picked Georgia mainly because I believe there may be a bit of apathy on the side of LSU and desperation for UGA. Win or lose, LSU will be in the College Football Playoff and I believe they will come to play, but there may not be the edge that Georgia will have from a play calling and emotional standpoint down the stretch. I also look for Jake Fromm to take over. He has struggled this year at times, but he has to prove himself on the national stage again to be drafted where he and everyone expects him to be. I believe he will do just that. It’s also time for the best defense in the country to show the nation against an offense no one has stopped yet.
Final Score: Georgia 35 LSU 28
John Lamm: I picked LSU because I think Joe Burrow is the best player in the country. I do not trust Jake Fromm to be able to keep up with him if it turns into a high scoring game. I believe this LSU team is on a mission to prove that they are deserving of the number 1 overall seed and want to prove those that doubt they are as good as Clemson or Ohio State wrong. That being said I believe Georgia is a very good team (not elite this year) and will put up a great fight to get into the college football playoff. It will be a close game going into the 4th but I expect LSU to pull away late and win.
Final Score: LSU 34 Georgia 24.
Max McDougald: It’s simple. Joe Burrow. Georgia has an elite defense, but Joe Burrow is even more elite. I think the Georgia defense will play well, but I don’t think the Georgia offense can score with them.
Final Score: LSU 31 Georgia 17
Chris Paschal: You know, Scott Howard and Eric Zeier (the radio voices for the Bulldogs) probably know better than anyone that when you do something stupid, it can cost your team. In 2016, Georgia caught a miraculous touchdown to take the lead over Tennessee with mere seconds left in the game. Georgia was penalized for undue celebration. The radio team minimized it and Zeier said, “who really cares at this point.” Well, with those extra yards, Tennessee got a good return and set up a historic Hail Mary. I say all that to emphasize that Georgia had a really good chance, in my opinion, to win this game before last week. But last week, George Pickens made a selfish decision in the moment, and it will end up costing his team later. Pickens is Georgia’s top receiver, but he will be out the first half due to a suspension for a fight he was involved in with Georgia Tech. The Dawgs are already missing their second best receiver, Lawrence Cager, due to injury. Georgia’s offense is not built to catch up from behind. While Georgia has an elite defense, they won’t be able to hold LSU for 60 minutes. Jake Fromm and this depleted passing attack will be asked to make some plays eventually. Fromm hasn’t completed more than 50% of his passes in a single game for over a month now. If he can’t do it against Missouri and Georgia Tech, he won’t be able to do it down his two best receivers against LSU. If Georgia is to win, this offensive line and this rushing attack will have to rush for over 200 yards against an LSU defense that is averaging less than 125 rushing yards allowed per game. They got to keep it within a touchdown by halftime.
