LIVE: Georgia leads LSU 10-7 at halftime, goes for SEC title
Here's Georgia stepping all over LSU -- the logo -- before the game.
No, I don’t know if Isaiah Crowell is going to play. (Figured that question might come up.)
Welcome to the SEC championship, or, as we like to call it: “The Game That Nobody Three Months Ago Figured Would Include Georgia.”
As coach Mark Richt said at his news conference earlier this week, “Well, I guess we could be out recruiting today.” This being the better alternative.
Les Miles and Mark Richt prepare to arm wrestle for SEC trophy.
There’s not much left to write. You can go to AJC.com/Sports/UGA to catch up on some of the terrific blogs written this week by Chip Towers and Tim Tucker, and I’ve listed the links to some of my columns down below.
But here are a few bullet points going into the game (4 p.m. kickoff).
• The Georgia offense: If the Bulldogs (13½-point underdogs) can’t run the ball against LSU, their chances to pull an upset significantly decrease. No running game means no effective play-action and little chance of keeping the Tigers’ defense off-balance. That said, Aaron Murray has been strong of late and will need to continue to spread the ball around to all his receivers.
• Crowell: We’re probably not going to know until kickoff whether he is playing. Yes, rumors have swirled most of the week on Twtter and message boards about the strength of his health, his head, an altercation that may or may not have taken place in practice, a suspension, etc. All I can tell you for sure is that nothing has been substantiated. Coach Mark Richt has remained mum on the status of all of his running backs since Wednesday. Crowell was at Friday’s walk-thru at the Georgia Dome and is on the Dogs’ dress-0ut list. Athletic director Greg McGarity said Friday he knew nothing of a suspension and told Chip and I, “I’d know, wouldn’t I?”
• Barring turnovers, I think Georgia keeps this game close for at least three quarters. The Dogs’ defense has been strong against the run (which is LSU’s strength). The question is what happens in the fourth quarter. The Tigers’ depth on the line and at running back enables them to rotate players and wear down opponents. LSU has outscored teams 115-28 in the fourth quarter and 229-61 in the second half.
Finally, I know a lot has been made of the fact that LSU probably will be in the BCS title game, win or lose (barring an unlikely blowout win by the Bulldogs, which could make voters think twice about putting the Tiers in). I doubt that will have any impact on the Tigers’ play. They’re undefeated and they have a chance to win an SEC championship. Those two things alone will keep them motivated.
Yes, Georgia has a legitimate chance to win this game. But it will take an almost error-free performance, and even then maybe a couple of turnovers.
That’s it for now. If and when we learn something more about Crowell, I’ll post it here.
Georgia blogs from this week:
• Georgia’s ascent a positive sign for future
• After Boise State, Murray foresaw Georgia in SEC title game
• Georgia has far better than ‘puncher’s chance’ against LSU
By Jeff Schultz
Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,008 comments Add your comment
Cesspool of the South
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
http://www.smartmoney.com/borrow/student-loans/which-colleges-help-their-grads-get-top-salaries-1312402692380/?link=SM_mag_inside#article_tab_interactive
WHATEVERDAWG
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
Crowell played all of 5 games last year and came off the field when he wanted to!!!!!! I thought he would have a better college coach then he did in high school but their about the same.
afan
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
bobo and murray two peas in a pod
GEORGIAHATER
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
I GUESS MASON IS THE NEXT JOE MONTANA
HEY MUTTS—–ARE YA;; GOING TO BE PRESEASON NATL. CHAMPS AGAIN FOR 2012???
HAHAHAHAHA
RED PANTIES
5150 UOAD
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
JB they beat tech 31-3 by 28. Is LSU holding off on scoring right now
SEC Title Game
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
Well we’re going to have an SEC National Champion anyways
Dawgs4evr
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
Wow, we really had no business being in this game…LSU is simply awesome.
Flounder
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
at least UGA is breaking the record for most blog posts!! 52 pages and counting.
kenshin
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
dream team ain’t too dreamy tonight. wait till next year when we get the best recruits again, just like every year
dandydawg
December 3rd, 2011
8:02 pm
All of these Georgia Haters… If they are SEC, they would loved to have played in this game.. but you didn’t.. We are getting better.. you just need to watch your team get better….Stop hating… and cheer for your sorry a$$ team….. Georgia Tech Fans… PLEASE go cheer for your sorry A$$ team… man, they can’t beat, what you call a sorry Georgia Team.. Georgia Tech stinks up the ACC and the whole South… You really suck!!! Good night!!!!
Dawg fans
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
JB
December 3rd, 2011
8:01 pm
Chavis would be at UGA if Richt had called. We kept Martinez another year.
Dude, I could coach the LSU defense. Are you serious?
Flounder
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
… make that 53 pages and counting.
Let's laugh
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Jeff, why in the world would you thing that GA had a chance? Oh! That’s right you are in bed with UGA, that AJC, advertisers.
What a sham.
Delbert D.
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Grantham’s 1st half was a fair audition for a HC job. There are a lot of openings.
Tigers Fan in Athens
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
I told you bull pups fans so. I predicted LSU 45 – UGA 10. OK, I was off a little…
Y’all enjoying the humiliation?
Keith Marshall should go elsewhere...
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
We are getting embarrased – can’t run the ball and ….
NEXT YEAR will be attroshus as we lose 3 Seniors on our Offensive line
UGA running backs are going to get killed next year.
DawgGone
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
It really is time to look at another quarterback. Murrary has time after time blown the big game aginst tough competition.
Let's laugh
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
FIRE RICHT IS BACK ON……Join the party.
smart dawg
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Hey dumbo, here’s the deal: We come from a number of different schools. The common joy is laughing at the utter ridiculous nature of uga fans. It makes for great entertainment.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Lets hope he gets a raise
dawghomer
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
LSU are cheaters. I love Crowell!
tripwire
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Mason throws pretty well against LSU s 5th string .
GA Wins
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
If we had some running backs things would be different. It’s hard to beat the #1 team in America without a running game.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Hey Tech Turds ,How about a re-match in the Chic-fil -a Bowl.It would be so nice to kick your asses twice.
FLA DAWG
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
An absolute Blowout loss.
We finally have our answer about our schedule and our 10 win streak.
We stink big time.
kenshin
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
they have almost as many criminals and weed smokers as we do
Delbert D.
December 3rd, 2011
8:03 pm
Hutson Mason! Go, Lassiter!
Donna Outlaw-Plank
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
Ooops! Who is 13-0?
Rob
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
@GEORGIAHATER
I’m sorry, did I miss which chic-fila you were talking about.
SEC Title Game
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
The ACC can’t hold a candle to the SEC
RB
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
The Bulldogs stink. Ritch may be a good person but he is not a winner in the SEC. Ga. will always be an also ran with him as coach.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Swamp Man
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
Gloom despair and agony on me, deep dark depression, excessive misery, if it werent for bad luck, Id have no luck at all gloom despair and agony on my. Hey grandpa, what’s for supper? Stewed dawg!
YelloJacket
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
lol….don’t worry pups…the humiliation is almost over. Oh, I forgot…you’re still UGA fans, you should be humiliated year round.
cajunboy
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
Run, Dawg, run! Looks like you just choked on your own ” hobnailed boot.” HAR-DE-HAR-HAR!
angela
December 3rd, 2011
8:04 pm
losing to LSU is no disgrace
THE DISGRACE IS LOSING LIKE A HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
since we claim to have been georgia fans in our family since the 30s as my dad knew sinkwich and trippi we have an opinion which many of you may not like
MARC RICHT IS NICE FELLOW BUT A REAL POOR COACH
what kind of genius whould not use boo malcome who looks like trent richardson did against LSU
it is really incredible he used a 170lb back instad of malcome
murray has never been a great qb and this game proves it once again
i dont fault richt for using him as there is no one else
BUT WHAT KIND OF BRAINS DID IT TAKE TO REALIZE A 224 LB BACK LIKE MALCOME WOULD HAvE KEPT THE GAME RESPECTABLE
I GUARANTEE YOU SABAN WOULD HAVE USED MALCOME
maybe richt has some kind of personal vendetta against malcome
i suggest the AD think long and hard about getting a new coach
richt is not capable of winning a NC and really not equal to the other top coaches
it is hard to not like richt as a person but really this was an sad day for ga fans to watch this type coaching
Delbert D.
December 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
Adams has already said Richt will be fired if he lost this game.
5150 UOAD
December 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
DAWGS played a good game for 30 minutes.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Mike Bobo is good for about a quarter and a half
Lets hope he gets a raise
Dawg fan
December 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
Nice comments from all of those whose teams lost to either UGA or LSU and are not playing tonight. Funny.
NFL officials for tonights game. Contact on just about every pass thrown by UGA.
Flounder
December 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
LOL @ Swamp Man!! That is PRICELESS!!
kenshin
December 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
i thought we had a new herschel. just like every year with every back that comes to ga. how is it we don’t have any good running backs with all the 5 stars we get every year?
Dandydawg take notice...
December 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
Your Dawgs got a dose of what it is like for your QB to throw balls to the other team…
That is what Tevin gifted to UGA in the 3rd qtr of the GT / UGA game.
That along with long kickoff returns is hard to recover from ehhhh?
The Grinch
December 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
Time to take the wife out for dinner.
10 win season with a chance to win 11. Much better than last year.
Will Muschamp
December 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
Thank you for saving Mark Richt job.
JB
December 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
I;m on the computer and not watching. Has anyone ever seen two different half’s of football?
GEORGIAHATER
December 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
RED PANTIES ARE THE COLOR TONIGHT FOR THE DOGS
Dawg fan
December 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
I think Delbert D is a sh|t stain.
DAMON
December 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
Let’s say LSU is the baseline……….soooo what,what, what does this say about DemDawgs
Delbert D.
December 3rd, 2011
8:06 pm
Mason to McGowan for a 1st down…