Lane Kiffin picks 2019 LSU offense over 2021 Georgia defense

The 2019 LSU offense and 2021 Georgia defense are considered two of the best units in college football history as they led their teams to national titles. But it begs the question: Who would win a game between the two?

Lane Kiffin knows who he’d pick. The Ole Miss head coach made it abundantly clear on Twitter Wednesday night.

Kiffin said he’d take Joe Burrow and the 2019 Tigers offense over the 2021 Georgia defense, which produced five first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft and ended the Bulldogs’ 40-year title drought. LSU averaged 568.4 yards per game to lead the FBS in 2019, and Georgia held opponents to an FBS-leading 10.2 points per contest in 2021.

Lsu!!! Come on man it’s Joe B!! https://t.co/wO6Dd28twq

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) May 18, 2023

As for Kiffin’s reasoning, it was simple. LSU had Burrow.

“Lsu!!!” Kiffin tweeted. “Come on man it’s Joe B!!”

The key players of the 2019 LSU offense

That LSU team obviously had more talent than just Burrow, though. Although he threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns — not to mention just six interceptions — his supporting cast was also impressive and has translated well to the NFL.

Ja’Marr Chase was LSU’s leading receiver in 2019, totaling 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He’s now reunited with Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals, and they’ve picked up where they left off as one of the most lethal duos in the league.

Just behind him on the LSU roster was Justin Jefferson, whose 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns ranked second on the Tigers. His success also translated well to the NFL, now the leading receiver for the Minnesota Vikings after they selected him with the No. 22 overall pick.

Even beyond the wide receiver room, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was the anchor in the LSU backfield in 2019. He led the Tigers with 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns — including 188-yard, three-touchdown performance against Arkansas — before going on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 2021 Georgia defense was filled with first-round talent

Georgia set a record in the 2022 NFL Draft with five first-round picks. The first one off the board was Travon Walker, who had 7.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks en route to becoming the No. 1 overall pick. But some other big names made major contributions, as well.

Safety Lewis Cine led the team in tackles with 73 and wound up the No. 32 overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings. That put him in the same division as Devonte Wyatt, who had 39 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for Georgia before going No. 28 overall to the Green Bay Packers. Wyatt as the second former Georgia players the Packers selected after they took Quay Walker at No. 22. He ranked fourth on the Bulldogs roster with 65 tackles along with 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Jordan Davis was another key piece for the Bulldogs, totaling 32 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He’s now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles — just like some other former Bulldogs — after they picked him No. 13 overall.