Georgia Bulldogs preview tough test of LSU Tigers

Talking time is just about over with kickoff to the 2022 SEC Championship Game just over 24 hours away. This week in Athens, Kirby Smart and his Georgia Bulldogs have spent their week breaking down every possible angle and every which way this game could go. They’ve shared that with us and we’ve shared that with you.

But what have they seen out of their opponent for Saturday, the LSU Tigers? While both teams have earned their spot in Atlanta over the course of a grueling 12-game regular season, it’s fair to say that they have not exactly had the same path to get here.

LSU kicked off its season in disappointing fashion, losing to the Florida State Seminoles in week one in New Orleans in heartbreaking fashion. Storming back from being down double digits to tie the game and send it overtime only to miss an extra point with no time on the clock sure is a rough way to start. Throw in a 27-point loss at home to the Tennessee Volunteers, and it would have been absurd to suggest that the Tigers could make it to Atlanta under first-year head coach Brian Kelly. However, they turned things around and won when it mattered, taking down Ole Miss and Alabama in late October and early November. Now, with the calendar turned to December, the Tigers have the opportunity to knock off the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in an effort to spoil their perfect season.

Earlier this week, Kirby Smart discussed the Tigers, and how they’ve been able to take huge leaps of growth in such a short amount of time.

“They’ve gotten better throughout from the start of the season until now,” Smart said. “I know their quarterback has gotten better. They do a tremendous job growing young players. I think everybody across the SEC, there’s youth everywhere. By this time of year, they’re no longer young. They have two tackles that are no longer freshmen. They’ve played in really big games. They’ve blocked the best of the best in our league. They’re not really freshmen anymore. So LSU has gotten better consistently, and that’s what you’re always trying to do to win an SEC Championship is ascend and get better as you go along. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. I feel like LSU’s done that.”

Jayden Daniels

Leading the charge for the Tigers is former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels. While Daniels has gotten national attention for his running ability, leading LSU in rushing on the year, Smart does not believe that the veteran quarterback has gotten nearly enough praise for what he’s able to do in both aspects of the game.

“Everybody you talk to, he’s way faster than you envisioned. He is athletic. He can go into super quick, hyper-speed mode, run away from you, run around you. He stiff-arms guys. He’s really athletic. But it’s not like he’s one of these guys that can’t throw,” Smart said. “He’s a pocket passer, and he’s very polished. He throws the ball really, really well, and he’s extremely athletic. So the combination when you start saying, all right, ‘What do I got to have to beat people in this league? It’s an athletic quarterback that can beat you with his arm, and he’s that.”

Senior Bulldogs safety Christopher Smith seemed to agree with Smart, emphasizing the importance of game planning for a quarterback who can do a lot of everything.

“Obviously he is a very talented quarterback,” Smith said. “He knows how to use his feet very well and makes very good decisions. It’s definitely something that we are going to have to be able to game plan for. When you are dealing with the kind of quarterback he is, he’s got a lot of athleticism and you know whenever a quarterback has that athleticism it brings that extra element to an offense that you have to prepare for.”

Tiger Running Backs and Receivers

For every good quarterback there have to be multiple play making wide receivers to go down and catch the ball. LSU has that in Kayshon Boutte and Malik Nabers. While each of them only has a single touchdown on the season, they are the top two leaders in receiving yards. Then there’s Jaray Jenkins and Brian Thomas Jr. who have the bulk of the receiving scores.

“I love their wide outs. They’ve got a very explosive group, very fast, very quick, the acceleration that I’ve seen on film. I think it’s a great challenge for us,” Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard said. “It’s a great group of athletes, they’re very athletic and we’ve got to lock in on the preparation this week to challenge them.”

The Tigers’ offense isn’t limited to just throwing it though. LSU has some of the most physical running backs in all of the country. Touting names like Josh Williams, John Emery and Noah Cain, the Bulldogs will have to be prepared for stopping their backs between the tackles.

“They’re physical,” Smart said. “Their backs run with a purpose. When you watch their backs, they’re explosive through the hole. They have elite toughness. They seek contact. Each one of those guys runs with a really strong purpose. I mean, I’ve seen some really elite effort plays out of those guys, running to cover down. When Jayden pulls it, you see backs going out there and blocking for him down the field.”

Harold Perkins and the LSU Defense

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers have a superstar in the making with freshman linebacker Harold Perkins. Considering his elite size, speed and finesse, LSU employs the former five star at a variety of spots on the defense, testing the quarterback before every snap.

“You know where he’s at when he’s out there.” Smart emphasized. “They’re going to use him in different ways. They’ve changed up the way they use him throughout the year. That’s what good defensive coordinators do. They try to find different ways to put him in maybe a mismatch and utilize him. You have to know where he is, and you need to know where he is at all times because he’s really athletic. He is very disruptive, and you make your team aware of it.”

“Watching a couple games, I’ve seen them rush the passer,” Georgia offensive lineman Warren McClendon said speaking about both Perkins as well as BJ Ojulari. “They’re really good, so I’m excited to get in there this week, watch some film and get ready for this weekend.”

It’s the fifth meeting between Georgia and LSU on this stage with three of the previous four going the way of the Bayou Bengals. Georgia is however a heavy favorite entering this one with the ling coming in as high as 18.5 in favor of the Bulldogs. Georgia was at one point as high as 21.5-point favorites and has never been less than a 14.5.-point favorite The Vegas Insider Consensus has the spread currently at 17.5. Kickoff time from Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for 4:00 p.m. ET on CBS.