Weekend Predictions: LSU over Georgia, and BCS ducks
So let me see if I’ve got this straight.
If LSU beats Georgia, LSU and Alabama will play for the BCS title. Simple. Unless some anti-SEC sentiment leads voters to match LSU against Oklahoma State (and everyone suddenly gets amnesia about the Iowa State game).
But this doesn’t preclude the possibility that LSU may play Oklahoma State in the BCS game even if Georgia upsets LSU. Why? Because at least one SEC school will go, and Nick Saban getting snubbed is funnier, and if you dare put both LSU and Alabama in the BCS final when neither even won its conference, you’ll have red noses and exploding clown feet falling from the sky (thank you, Larry), and even the BCS has its limit when it comes to humiliation. I think.
So really, what Saturday’s SEC championship comes down to is this: Barring some complete, multi-touchdown, oh jeez, Curly-just-dropped-the-TNT-powder-in-the-pancake-batter-again-collapse by LSU against the Bulldogs in the Georgia Dome, the Tigers are really only playing for Alabama’s lifeline in the BCS.
What could possibly go wrong with the BCS in the kitchen.
Dude. Has anybody seen Isaiah Crowell’s bong?
OK. Flush. Simplify. It’s just a football game.
Cleansing breath. And, go . . .
Georgia has one advantage in this game: Aaron Murray. Expectations for the running game are low, unless Crowell suddenly emerges from bubble wrap this week and breaks from the field with Forrest Gump’s miracle legs.
LSU is equal to or better than Georgia everywhere else. The Tigers have won over ranked teams, won on the road, won in Tuscaloosa, won nine of their games by 46, 26, 28, 30, 31, 35, 33, 49 and 24. Also, they conquered Belarus and are moving into Poland.
Yes, I really believe the Dogs have a chance to win this game. They are playing that well and that confident. The problem is too many things need to happen. Something-to-zero in turnovers. Something big on special teams. Something bionic on the defensive front.
It’s too much. The 10-game winning streak ends here. LSU wins, but Georgia keeps it close. I’ll dance with 13½.
It’s OK for Georgia fans to be Daydream Believers. Yeah. I’m going there …
School Daze
Oklahoma at Okie State: The Cowboys’ plan: 1) Win; 2) Scream, light their hair on fire, hold their breath, pass out and repeat (until somebody puts them in the BCS title game). All of which ignores the fact that they never should have lost a conference game to 2-4 Iowa State. Shut up and enjoy the Fiesta Bowl. OSU cover 3.
VaTech vs. Clemson (ACC title): The ACC keeps hoping for Miami-Florida State title game. It keeps getting Virginia Tech vs. somebody else. Clemson is 1-3 since starting 8-0 and turning back into Clemson. Hokies cover 7.
Wisconsin vs. Mich. State (Big Ten title): Fans have been warned: DON’T look Urban Meyer in eye when he emerges for his pontiff wave from a luxury suite before kickoff. Nice year for the Big Ten’s first title game. Scandal at Ohio State. Slime at Penn State. Where’s next year’s game, Chernobyl? Badgers win, but take Sparty and 9½.
UCLA vs. Oregon (Pac-12 title): One of the teams in the inaugural Pac-12 championship (UCLA) already has fired its coach (Rick Neuheisel). Even Auburn never did that. If UCLA wins, everybody might want to duck when Neuheisel gets his hands on the trophy. Actually, no worries there: Ducks win, but take UCLA and 32.
Rick Neuheisel, at the trophy presentation
NFL Six Pack
(I drank one)
Falcons at Texans: A stat from pal Len Pasquarelli: Falcons coach Mike Smith is 8-0 against rookie quarterbacks. Next on the list: T.J. Yates. It’s a nice story for Pope High School, but it wasn’t the Texans’ first choice. In consecutive weeks, the Falcons miss Adrian Peterson and Matt Schaub. Did Smith sacrifice a chicken? Falcons cover 3.
Broncos at Vikings: Tim Tebow (5-1) has won more games than Philip Rivers, Michael Vick or Josh Freeman. But he’s completing 45 percent of his passes and ranks 37th in yardage. Ever read one of those stores when the guy living out of a shopping cart wins the lottery? Slight market correction: Vikings cover 1.
Here's the felonious Lion, Ndamukong Suh, stomping a player, which is frowned upon in most cultures, and even the NFL.
Packers at Giants: A few days after his defense allowed seven touchdowns to New Orleans, Giants coach Tom Coughlin proclaimed: “It’s time for us to be bold, not to listen to what you all are saying.” Want to be bold? How ’bout you get in somebody’s way? Pack covers 7.
Lions at Saints: Ndamukong Suh has been sentenced to two games to life. Roger Goodell’s plan to make Suh the face of the league worked out as well as the fed’s plan for the Al Capone plush toy. Saints cover 9.
Colts at Patriots: The Colts are 0-11 and have been outscored by 177 points, give or take a major organ. But the line is 20 points. Sorry. That’s like sliding chips and onion dip across the table and telling me, “Don’t touch.” Pats win, but give me Indy and 20.
•
Toteboard
“Depend on the rabbit’s foot if you will, but remember it didn’t work for the rabbit.” — R.E. Shay
Last week (kiss the ring …): 10-2 straight up, 9-3 against the line.
Overall (… and bow): 109-41 straight up; 87-61-2 against the line.
Important “Sack Schultz” update: This is the week the Hawaii trip will be decided. There’s a 10-way tie for first. I remain in contention for a high draft pick.
By Jeff Schultz
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738 comments Add your comment
Common Sense
December 1st, 2011
5:31 pm
Anyone who seriously thinks that Crowell will play well for the entire game has hit the bong way too many times.
Scott
December 1st, 2011
5:32 pm
@Kevin, the only thing UGA proved this year was an ability not to lose to teams that stink. they didn’t prove they were “back” or really that they were good for that matter (yet – they could still beat LSU).
Procrastinator
December 1st, 2011
5:32 pm
MurrAy, left out the A.
Ron Swanson
December 1st, 2011
5:33 pm
Jeff, please inform Tech Stinger that we had even fewer running backs against Tech and absolutely dominated them once again. Its like shooting fish in a barrel.
kevin
December 1st, 2011
5:33 pm
Scott,
UGA’s conference schedule was not as difficult this year. No one disputes that. However, playing in the SEC is playing in the SEC–regardless of the teams you play, you can pretty well gauge how good a team is. UGA is a much better team then they were in the 1st weeks of the season.
Corn Dawg,
It could be a beatdown if UGA does not show up, but if the UGA that played AU and GT shows up, it will not be a beatdown. UGA, like Bama and LSU, has a very strong defense. LSU did nothing against Bama. I do not see the evidence to suggest they will somehow do much better against UGA. They will have to win it with special teams and defense–which they certainly could. However, save special teams foul ups by UGA (which are certainly possible), this game will be close.
Hoopster
December 1st, 2011
5:34 pm
No Crowell = No chance. Crowell plays = No chance.
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
5:34 pm
Since when is going 10-2 and 7-1 backing into a conference championship?
If you aren’t the best team in your division and you make the conference championship anyways then you pretty much backed your way in there.
You say what now?
December 1st, 2011
5:35 pm
After 0-2, I said it,
after 10-2 i said it,
Today and tomorrow until after the game i will say it and you will know it!
Do you dirty stinking hairy dawgs, all the way to the dome and roll!
And they will, and all the bandwagon jumpers will jump back on, including AJC,
there will be no upset, just a bunch of pissed off Georgia boys handling their business come Saturday!
Paul in NH
December 1st, 2011
5:35 pm
A team from the worst AQ conference put 533 yards on LSU’s D. UGA will give LSU a game.
smart dawg
December 1st, 2011
5:36 pm
Since theuga can’t run, the passing game will have to see them through. Murray could have flashbacks of Fairley after a few sacks.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
5:36 pm
Of course a Gator & a Jacket would find it funny. But you’re both sitting this weekend, aren’t you?
kevin
December 1st, 2011
5:37 pm
GTBob,
Perhaps, but UGA is the best team in their division. We lost to SC in a game that we essentially gave to SC. Even Spurrier, who’s never shy about boasting said that UGA was the better team that day and SC was “lucky” to win. UGA stomped an Auburn team that beat SC at home. You’re wrong.
When is GT playing again?
You say what now?
December 1st, 2011
5:38 pm
GT bob,
Come on man!
Tech will never beat Georgia again, it hurts, but that’s life my brother.
Go ahead and fire CPJ and get another guy in there so we can start another streak on him!
WnE
December 1st, 2011
5:39 pm
You boot licking toadies. My dawgs don’t deserve to play in this game with the schedule we’ve played. I am hoping Richt finally is a man and recruits the right running backs we need in this system. If we don’t win the SEC title this year, Richt needs to go. FIRE MARK RICHT!
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
5:39 pm
A team from the worst AQ conference put 533 yards on LSU’s D. UGA will give LSU a game.
I wonder if Arkansas felt the same way.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
5:40 pm
Noooooooooooo…………..keep CPJ. They keep getting smaller and smaller under that guy. And he CAN ‘T recruit.
WnE
December 1st, 2011
5:40 pm
It is true what you all have heard. I have a very wide set vajina. I sit on it daily while making fun of 17-22 year olds.
SSIgator
December 1st, 2011
5:41 pm
GTBob -
From kevin – “but UGA is the best team in their division”
It is the Comedy Club shoutout. GTBob vs kevin. Let’s get ready to rumble.
kevin
December 1st, 2011
5:42 pm
SSIGator said,
“GTBob -
Now THAT was funny. Of couse don’t expect any applause from this group.”
I think it’s cute that the FL loser on this thread is reaching out to the GT loser. I hope you guys are happy for a long time to come!
bamaguy
December 1st, 2011
5:42 pm
I think it will be a good game Saturday and I will be there wearing red (a compromise I made with a UGA buddy that is going with me. I won’t wear a Georgia shirt but I will wear red, uh, Crimson). And as I like to tell him, “since the tickets are going for so little I might as well go. I can’t make any money selling them”
I think UGA can win, but it will take turnovers on LSU’s part and UGA making a couple of big plays on special teams.
Rev Goodlove
December 1st, 2011
5:42 pm
Hey Hey Hey congregation members and bandwagon jumpers, after this Saturday all the talk will stop.
The BCS will allow two team who didnt win their conference to play for the title and make it seem like this is what the fans wanted and the AJC staff will all be singing praise toward Athens……But we don’t want it. The True Dawgs never wavered, and this Saturday when you realize that LSU is in trouble please stay right where you are and don’t try to join us in the celebration!
Dawgs all night long come Saturday!
StingerSplash
December 1st, 2011
5:42 pm
So a team that got beat by 50 (that’s a 5, with a 0 behind it) by its crosstown rival is going to cover against Oregon? Does Neuheisel inspire that kind of intensity among his players? If he had, would the line be that high to start with?
Sorry, and the Colts do not cover against the Pats. Brady will be on the phone to his wife at halftime making dinner arrangements. Bill Polian will be on the phone at halftime to Bert Jones.
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
5:43 pm
kevin, sounds like a lot of excuses. South Carolina beat you in Athens, beat every other team in the division and is ranked higher in the coaches and BCS polls. It’s pretty safe to say that they were the best team in the east.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
5:44 pm
I think LSU wins and covers easily. I’ve watched both teams play all year and LSU and Bama are BY FAR the best two teams in the country. UGA has imrpoved greatly as the season has progressed, but they aren’t even close to LSU. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Dawgs win and shake up the BCS picture, but I think a similar outcome to last year’s game between Auburn and South Carolina is far more likely.
Delusional Fans
December 1st, 2011
5:46 pm
Kevin sounds like another delusional Georgia fan. After saturday all that talk will stop
Corn Dawg
December 1st, 2011
5:47 pm
kevin
December 1st, 2011
5:33 pm
“if the UGA that played AU and GT shows up, it will not be a beatdown”
kevin,
This ain’t Auburn or Tech you’re facing in the Dome. You really need to calm down before this game kicks off, or you’re going to have to be restrained when reality slaps you upside your little noggin.
I’m all for fans believing that their teams have a chance in any game. They do actually – any team can lose a single game, no matter how good they are. That said, when you start spouting off about how much better Georgia is than Arkansas or Alabama (two teams that Georgia has not played), you just come across as another delusional Georgia doofus.
Here are the facts: Georgia is the fifth best team in the SEC this year. UGA is lucky that they got into this game on an East/West Division technicality. They aren’t really in the same league as LSU, Alabama or even Arkansas. Any objective observer understands this. The BCS poll understands it well enough. That’s why UGA is ranked #14. It ain’t hate. It’s just simple reality.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
5:48 pm
Jackets are the delusional fans. After losing 36 of the past 48 games to the Dawgs, they still believe. Talk about delusional.
JB
December 1st, 2011
5:50 pm
Our defense will not embarrass us. The problem will be that our OL can not run block average teams ( see Tech) and are really average at pass blocking. Lot’s of “shoulder bumps” as the rushers breeze by. That’s what will cost us this game. What’s keeping us from being on the same plane as LSU and Bama is a fire breathing, turd eating mean SOB’s tearing heads off across the offensive line. It’s finesse football and that doesn’t stop a D like LSU.
kevin
December 1st, 2011
5:50 pm
GTBob,
The coach of SC said it. It’s not an excuse, it’s a fact. Bottom line is we never lost another game after SC and they lost 2, 1 of which to was a team we stomped. UGA lost to top 15 ranked teams–can’t say the same for SC.
What’s certain is that UGA is way better than GT (again)!
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 1st, 2011
5:53 pm
“UGA beat both UF, AU and GT while they were ranked.”
UF was not ranked when UGA beat them. UF had already lost 3 games by the time UGA played them. AU was ranked 24 only in the BCS poll. GT? Come on, man.
SSIgator
December 1st, 2011
5:53 pm
GTBob -
Don’t use logic with kevin. It only will confuse him and then you will have to field even more moronic statements from him.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
5:53 pm
kevin,
In SC’s defense, they lost their starting QB and one of the best RB’s in the country. How would UGA have fared without Murray or Crowell? Spurrier did a heckuva job this year considering the adversity they faced.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 1st, 2011
5:55 pm
LSU beat 3 top five teams in one year. THREE.
UGA beat a 7-5 AU team and a UF team with a losing record.
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
5:55 pm
The coach of SC said it. It’s not an excuse, it’s a fact.
Ah, so Spurrier was trying to be nice after the game and that makes it a fact. Never mind the scoreboard. How about I claim that GT is better then UGA. We essentially gave the game to UGA. Does that make me sound crazy? Because that is how you sound.
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
5:56 pm
No one can answer that question logically, Beast. Didn’t happen.
Delusional Fans
December 1st, 2011
5:58 pm
Georgia beat New Mexico State and they think are a good team
JB
December 1st, 2011
5:58 pm
SSIgator………..I know you are used to the SECG activity this time of year, so welcome here with us. With what you guys have coming back ( I don’t see a pro type QB on campus, or a FB,RB,TE or ant pro type WR’s to speak of….If you had them, we would of seen them. Gonna be a while for you guys. Coaching suspect also….but you are welcome to hang out here and have a glass of bubbly…..LOL
SkyDawg
December 1st, 2011
5:58 pm
GTBob you essentially gave us every game when you hired CPJ>
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
6:00 pm
SkyDawg,
I didn’t ask for definitive proof. I asked what he “thinks”. Isn’t that what a blog is for? Saying what you think and giving your opinion.
reality gator
December 1st, 2011
6:00 pm
Puppies 8 games opponents record in the sec 12-54, this says it all, and they are not really eastern champions that belongs to SC they beat the puppies but once again the school that have not won a nat since Jimmy Carter was President are bragging they are champions.
LSU by 30
bucket
December 1st, 2011
6:01 pm
It’s really sad when the fans from teams that UGA beat have to live vicariously through our opponent this weekend. Maybe LSU will get them mean old Dawgs back for you Gators and Jackets! We know we shouldn’t have a chance, but we have decided to play the game anyway.
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
6:02 pm
GTBob you essentially gave us every game when you hired CPJ
Oh yeah, we were beating UGA a lot before that.
so
December 1st, 2011
6:02 pm
I guess Mississippi state counts as a ranked team for lsu. They beat a 17th ranked team in Florida and and a ranked Mississippi state team. chalk those up as two ranked wins. Man they are good
SSIgator
December 1st, 2011
6:03 pm
JB -
No thanks to the bubbly KoolAid. UGA has plenty of thirsty fans after being gone from this game for six years. Problem is, after Saturday night, Richt better make up another batch ASAP before the reality of the beatdown from LSU kicks in.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 1st, 2011
6:03 pm
JB,
Don’t count us out. I think the Gators will be improved in 2012 and will be back in the hunt come 2013. Look to be having a top 5 recruiting class coming in with 2 solid RB’s. Need a few JUCO linemen to add some depth and we’ll be much improved. One of the youngest teams in the country this year. We’re losing a total of 9 seniors and only half of them really contributed.
Big Dawg
December 1st, 2011
6:04 pm
Listen Fellow Dawgs this is going to be a close game that comes down to breaks, turnovers and big plays. Both these teams have very good to great defenses and defenses win championships. For Georgia it comes down to our offensive line getting mean and nasty and taking control of the line of scrimmage. LSU plays a gambling and attacking style of defense that if your offensive line and backs gets good protection you will have opportunities to break big runs and big pass plays down the field. We happen to match up well with them because we are very good upfront on the d-line with our d-linemen tying up the other teams blockers allowing our big, fast and mobile linebackers to move around freely making plays with the safeties coming up as well.
To me there is this the wild card of whether the SEC has told the officials to cheat our Dawgs by calling everything against us while ignoring LSU. And don’t say it doesn’t happen because you are talking very big money here as if the Dawgs do win then there is the chance NO SEC team would go to the BCS National Championship and the loss of millions in revenue plus the prestige that has been built up by the SEC in winning the last 5 BCS National Championship games.
Go Dawgsw
Corn Dawg
December 1st, 2011
6:04 pm
the kevin rule: If the opposing coach says that you played a good game after your loss – then the loss counts as a win.
Now I understand why Dawg fans are still moaning about not being given a Crystal Trophy for their 2007 season. They probably actually “won” the games that they lost that year too – under the kevin rule.
Mike
December 1st, 2011
6:05 pm
Oklahoma St. should play for the title against LSU if they can beat OU. Talk Iowa St. all you want, but Oklahoma St. has a tougher schedule than Bama. Ok St. would have beaten 5 current BCS top 25 teams to Bama’s 2. Sure Bama lost to LSU, and that makes it even worse. If Bama plays LSU and wins, do they play a tie breaker game the next week? Sorry, but they had their shot on their own home field and blew it. The biggest problem with this system is they keep finding ways to give the same teams a shot at the title over and over again. Its time to give someone else a try.
Bo in North Carolina
December 1st, 2011
6:07 pm
Jeff, has the Count made any comments about this game.
pdawg
December 1st, 2011
6:08 pm
We win this weekend and end up ranked #7….let them say all they want. I hope the haters get back here after the game….wonder what happens to “they did not play anybody” argument. We beat the best team in the land case close. I wld like for coach Richt to get on ESPN and do some campaigning…successful or not he needs to make his point. ESPN cannot continue to determine who plays who based on dynamic criteria ( We dont want to see Ohio state Michigan again…they had their shot and they did not even win a conference championship….no one who does not even play for the conference championship should not even be in the BCS championship game…no one who does not win their conference championship should not be in the BCS championship game).
So let us sit back and watch these guys recreate their rules and put LSU BAMA in the championship game…BCS should grow a pair, this is pathetic