Outcome of SEC Championship won’t impact LSU’s BCS opportunities
Welcome to championship week. Raise your hand if you expected Georgia to be in this position back on Sept. 11th. That was the day after the supposedly devastating 45-42 loss to South Carolina. To his credit, Bulldogs’ coach Mark Richt did, as his comments after that game indicate.
Since then the Bulldogs won 10 straight, culminating with Saturday’s 31-17 win over Georgia Tech to conclude the regular season. Now it gets real interesting!
Georgia’s season began with a rather lackluster loss to No. 5 Boise State in the Georgia Dome. Now the Bulldogs head back and will face an even bigger challenge in No. 1-ranked LSU in the SEC Championship Game. No one’s giving them a chance to win. The early lines I’ve seen have the Tigers favored by 11.5 to 13 points. So Las Vegas is expecting a rout.
What I think is most interesting about Saturday’s game is the apparent lack of bearing it will have on LSU’s BCS national championship hopes. Virtually every prediction out there has the Tigers still playing in the title game even if they lost to Georgia and even if that loss was a blowout.
There is even some speculation that LSU could clinch a share of the national title with a win over Georgia on Saturday via The AP vote.
That has brought forth some previously unfathomable reasoning. LSU coach Les Miles was asked this past weekend if he had considered resting some of his players and kind of taking it easy for the SEC championship game. Miles’ response was predictable.
“Just so you know, there is no way this football team goes to Atlanta and doesn’t play its best,” he said.
The truth is, the bigger the stage, the better LSU has played this season. The Tigers’ season began with a game against a top 5 Oregon team in the “Jerry Dome” in Dallas and they’ve had “monumental” contests all year, with trips to West Virginia, Alabama and Arkansas. They seem to do their best where the lights are brightest.
“We’re used to being on the big stage,” Miles said Sunday. “I think our guys translate the glare of the lights to making plays in the game. I think they did that against Oregon in Dalaas and they’ve really done it right on through Alabama at Alabama. So we’re kind of comfortable in domes and we’ll look forward to seeing if we can the exact same thing.”
Expect the Bulldogs to get LSU’s best shot.
So does anybody here have a problem with the SEC championship game being rendered moot with regard to the BCS title? And does anybody believe Georgia has a chance in this game?
Meanwhile, we here at the AJC are treating it as a meaningful game. We have a lot of great coverage plans so be sure to check back regularly for updates as we’ll post everything online as quickly as we have it. And feel free to offer suggestions for stories or particular subjects you’d like to see covered.
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573 comments Add your comment
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
1:46 pm
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
1:30 pm
UGA 0-2 against Top 15 BCS teams. Enough said.
———————————
Most over used cliche “enough(nuff) said” ..
Nevermind that both of those games were the beginning of the season and ANYONE who actually watched the team this year knows they are light years better now than they were at the start of the year. Ignorance is just throwing that out there and cutting it with “enough said” ..
NCDawg
November 28th, 2011
1:46 pm
Yes the Dawgs CAN win. If they play the complete game they played against Auburn they can beat anyone. LSU thinks they can’t lose. They are buying the line. How will they react when they face a team that overcome even more than they have? The Dawgs are justifiably an underdog. Those things are based on the body of work to date. How will LSU react when the Dawgs don’t bow before their best shot? That is the key to this game. The Dawgs have the most balanced offense they have face all year. We have more weapons than they have seen all year. Sure Oregon’s James is a speedy back that thrives in that offense… but stuff him and they struggle. As James goes so go the Ducks. The Dawgs have playmakers at every position and they spread the wealth like no one else in this league. That will be a factor.
As for the BCS crap… the logic makes no sense at all. If the Dawgs beat LSU then they are no longer the best team in the land. And assuming that are even if they lose makes no sense at all. The 2007 UGA team was one of the 2 best teams in college football that year. Using the “we just want the 2 best teams” line of reasoning that is being floated now, the Dawgs should have played USC in the BCS Championship that year. We all know how that turned out. The BCS is a load of crap and will always be a load of crap. Until there is a playoff, there will be no way to crown a true champion.
Just for perspective. The Falcons would have gone to the Super Bowl if the berths were decided in a BCS manner. Green Bay would have been left out of the BCS picture altogether. That is how screwed up the BCS system is. Every other level of football crowns it’s champion through a playoff system. A playoff would be even more lucrative than the current system… NO doubt about it. But stupid traditionalists want to keep the bowls so we have a piece o’crap beauty pageant that screws everyone but the eventual champion… especially the fans. Wish we could hold a national referendum on it. Oh well…
Vegas
November 28th, 2011
1:47 pm
Trupert- just google collegefootballpoll and congrove computer it should bring link to every team’s strength of schedule.
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 28th, 2011
1:48 pm
Look at UGA’s schedule and then look at LSU’s schedule. LSU has proven that they are the best team in the nation with wins over Oregon, Alabama and Arkansas. No way UGA beats LSU and even if they did LSU still should go to championship game. Alabama is the only logical opponent for LSU. Pollsters realize they have overrated UGA.
Mr. Fan
November 28th, 2011
1:49 pm
Bill, Has it been confirmed if UGA will be wearing the pro combat Uniforms in the dome?
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
1:50 pm
So, anyone really surprised that Herbstriet said that the SECCG is irrelevant? I’m not complaining about the potential match up this year. What’s done is done. But Herbstriet (sp?) is a shill and college football is about money, not match ups. If that weren’t the case then what happened several years back with Herbstriet saying that if you don’t win your conference, you can’t play in the championship game. Cake and eat it too, ESPN? The upside is that this should evolve the BCS further toward the logical end of a playoff.
G-Dawg
November 28th, 2011
1:50 pm
And how Va Tech is ranked that high, based upon their schedule. It wasnt much different than UGA’s. ACC was down this year…except a couple of hot weeks with GT and Clemson, which both fell apart. FUBAR!!
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
1:51 pm
Tampa Dawg…
Nevermind that both of those games were the beginning of the season and ANYONE who actually watched the team this year knows they are light years better now than they were at the start of the year. Ignorance is just throwing that out there and cutting it with “enough said” ..
Talk about “overused” how bout over used excuses. I think your response fits that bill nicely.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
1:54 pm
Alabama is the only logical opponent for LSU.
Not true. OSU has an argument. Is Alabama a good opponent? Sure. But to say that they’re the only logical choice is overstating it. LSU has, to my mind, thus far shown they are the best team in the nation. But…if they lose to an overrated team (as you say) like lowly UGA, then how can that possibly be?
BCS
November 28th, 2011
1:54 pm
SEC championship is always a play in game to the title game, if Georgia wins they should play the number one team for it all, not LSU.
G-Dawg
November 28th, 2011
1:55 pm
If our govt can launch a congressional into Barry Bonds and Roger Clemons with steroid use…why cant they lauch one into the NCAA and BCS format?? Which seems to be a much much bigger issue??
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
1:55 pm
LSU BEN
November 28th, 2011
1:26 pm
Rest? Ha. We’re coming to atlanta and will destroy uga. You’re a weak team and it will show this Saturday. You have faced cupcakes during your win streak.
Tigers 45 dogs 17
—————————–
Funny, UGA fans heard this same garbage back in 2005 .. lemme see, how did that one end again? Oh yeah, I remember! Do you remember Ben?
Trivia: Who is the only SEC team that Les Miles does not have a winning record against?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 28th, 2011
1:56 pm
OSU has no argument
They lost to an unranked team
Stanford has a better argument
They lost to a top 5 team
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
1:58 pm
Hey 95. I can understand that, but you have to remember that pollsters might take into consideration the plane crash. I’m not saying that’s likely, but it could happen. Stanford, too, has a decent argument. Whichever side you fall on, they both refute the idea that Bammer is the only logical choice.
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
1:59 pm
@Bank on it .. ummm, I think that is actually what is known as a FACT. Both games WERE at the beginning of the season AND the team HAS gotten better throughout the year. Where is the excuse in there? An excuse would have been if I would have said something like “yeah, well, they lost but it was because of …..”, but I didn’t say that. I am talking about the progression of the team but you want to play the old excuse card. Sorry to have to give you a vocabulary lesson but it seemed necessary considering.
Brucerugby79
November 28th, 2011
2:01 pm
we got a shot and it would be a victory for the ages!–however I think fair and balanced has it right-like it or not–Bama will win a rematch-it is very hard to beat somebody twice–that being said GO DAWGS
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
2:04 pm
Dawgs just need to play like this is the national championship game, focus on only those things they can control and let the chips fall wherever. If they are able to pull the upset, that will be impressive enough to convince me that 1) Richt has earned his way back as the unquestioned head coach, 2) Bobo is making the necessary adjustments for us not to always question his sanity and 3) Grantham is excellent and we hope he doesn’t bail like Van Gorder.
Saban
November 28th, 2011
2:06 pm
Dawgs lose by 50
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:06 pm
Tampa Dawg,
when you say, “because” or “nevermind” precludes an excuse being made your logic and understanding of the grammar process is flawed.
Who wins: Neutral site:
OKSU vs Ark?
OKSU vs UGA?
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:06 pm
How do you sit at home and watch your conference championship game and then expect to play for the national title?
How do you win the conference championship of the best conference in the country and you don’t get to play for the national title?
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:08 pm
Hey saban you tech idiot
31-17
10 out of 11
quit hiding behind another school and man up and admit you are a Techster
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
2:09 pm
Dawgs lose by 50
Sucks to be sitting in your office Saban.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:09 pm
flat tire
OSU has a strong argument if they beat OK because that would be 5 ranked teams they would have beaten and they would be conference champions of the 2nd best conference in the country.
rhbDAWG1
November 28th, 2011
2:10 pm
I have read everything on the ajc sports UGA site and many of the commets after each article. One thing I have not seen posted is any concern about the officiating in the SEC Championship game. It will be very embarrassing to BCS (and possibly SEC, though an argument could be made that it would be prestigious for 3 SEC teams to be in BCS bowls) to have a national champion that is not a Conference Champion. I’m not looking for excuses, but I’ve seen a number of seemingly obvious wrong calls that, even after review, did not go our way. Anybody else thinking of this?
Hilton
November 28th, 2011
2:11 pm
Hey, I am an Alabama fan, but was so HAPPY for Ga to have the season
they’re having. I hope they beat LSU.
So drop the bulls**t about Alabama. I know you wish you were in their place.
Enough said!!!!
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:13 pm
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:06 pm
How do you sit at home and watch your conference championship game and then expect to play for the national title?
How do you win the conference championship of the best conference in the country and you don’t get to play for the national title?
1ST QUESTION… Watch it happen January, it will happen
2nd QUESTION…. LSU will be playing in the BCS Title game..against the second best team in the country who is also in the asec
REALLY, NCDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:16 pm
yea because LSU did not face any adversity at all this year, like say… I don’t know their starting QB being suspended for the 1st 4 games. I’ll remind you that LSU whipped Oregon with their BACKUP QB and it wasn’t close. But still, you’re right, LSU isn’t ready to handle a team like UGA since they choked on the road against Missy St. and WVU, oh well darn they beat them by 13 & 26 pts respectively. Oh but there was that one time that LSU had 3 starters suspended and were overlooking Florida because Auburn and Bama were coming up on the schedule. How did that work out??? Florida lost 41-11 and LSU beat Auburn like a drum without 3 starters 45-10. They have disposed of every obstacle put before them and to think they are going to lay down now in front of the mighty bulldogs is laughable. LSU has not allowed a SEC oppoenent more than 17 pts in any game this season, and the season high total was 27 pts to Oregon after the game was already decided (34-13 in the 4th when LSU reeled it in)
Keep dreaming, on 12/3 your nightmare will arrive
Shine
November 28th, 2011
2:18 pm
If the Ga crybaby brigade (gullible fan base) will just not accept mediocrity and demand a coach who can win every game then they will get to the BCS title game. sniff sniff, we always lose at least two or three and nobody respects us…whiners, crybabies, and losers
flo-ri-duh
November 28th, 2011
2:18 pm
Bet Steve Spurrier is throwing his visor over the Dawgs getting to the SEC title game instead of him. Georgia deserves to be there so eat crow Ole Bald Coach.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
bank on it
In typical bama fan fashion, you didn’t answer my question because it leads to an answer that you can’t defend.
Bama should not be planning to play anywhere except the Cap One Bowl.
dougmo2
November 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
Chip,
I am a realist so let’s get this out of the way: THE DOGS HAVE ZERO CHANCE OF BEATING LSU. PERIOD END DISCUSSION.
To all the Dawg fans: my parents told me the biggest word in the world is IF.
That being said, if my aunt had ‘nads, she’d be my uncle.
“If Uga wins”, ain’t gonna happen. So quit saying IF.
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
@Bank on it, well, I guess we have a problem then with reading seeing as how my original post to you never said “because”. “Nevermind” was in there, but AGAIN, to say that it “precluded” an excuse would hardly be an accurate statement. No, my “grammar process” is certainly not flawed. Not that determining an excuse actually falls in with learning grammar but whatever, lol.
Now, to answer your question, I think Arkansas and UGA could beat OkieState on a neutral site. Not one of their opponents this year, especially Iowa State, has a great defense with the lone exception being maybe Texas but Texas gave up over 200 yards on the ground in that game against OSU.
BobDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
As the Evil Genius has said ” It is all about the SEC Champship”… While getting into the BCS Nat’l Talk is great if the stars align themselves…. No-one wants to lose this game…. GO DAWGS!!!
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:21 pm
dougmo2
November 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
Chip,
I am a realist so let’s get this out of the way: THE DOGS HAVE ZERO CHANCE OF BEATING LSU. PERIOD END DISCUSSION.
To all the Dawg fans: my parents told me the biggest word in the world is IF.
That being said, if my aunt had ‘nads, she’d be my uncle.
“If Uga wins”, ain’t gonna happen. So quit saying IF.
—————————
I must have heard at least a dozen LSU fans tell me the same thing before the SECCG in 2005. There is NEVER a such a thing as a zero percent chance. That’s reality. Just ask Appalachian State and James Madison.
dinkdunk
November 28th, 2011
2:22 pm
The “got 13?” Bama slogan points out just how stupid and delusional they are.
Patrick
November 28th, 2011
2:22 pm
If the Bulldogs were to have scheduled Boise State for November 5th game instead of the First!! game the dawgs would have won. The dawgs have beaten the tigers before so this win is not out of reach for them. They beat LSwho 34 to 14 his was all dawgs. This team I think is way better than that 2005 team. I think dawgs will come to play and will win by a touchdown!!!!!!
This isn't 2005!!!!!
November 28th, 2011
2:22 pm
Different teams, different years, different circumstances… and if you really wanna bring up 2005 I recall the dawgs lost in that same building the following month in the Sugar Bowl against WVU. The pups wound up making it close but they were down something like 28-0 in that game… and as an SEC representitive shame on UGA for losing to WVU in their own backyard at the GA Dome.
RxDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:23 pm
Sure we have a chance. It’s probably not likely, but we certainly have a shot. I’ll tell ya the key to the game for us. Running game. If we can average 4-5 yard per carry in the rushing game we’ll win this game.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
2:25 pm
Of course they have a chance.
chuckie doll
November 28th, 2011
2:26 pm
I think uga can pull this win out if they are pumped up enough!
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:27 pm
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
bank on it
In typical bama fan fashion, you didn’t answer my question because it leads to an answer that you can’t defend.
Bama should not be planning to play anywhere except the Cap One Bowl.
LOL..Typical UGA Logic. The answer is EVERYONE knows the two best teams by far are LSU and Alabma. With that said, please show me the rule that says you re REQUIRED to win a Conference title to play? You won’t because there is not such a rule.
What if Notre Dame had one loss, no conference title there?
Who wins neutral site?
OKSU vs Arkansas?
OKSU vs UGA?
answer that..
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
2:28 pm
We RUN this state!!
chiefdawg
November 28th, 2011
2:30 pm
The SEC should make sure that UGA gets every call it possibly can in the game. If UGA wins the SEC gets 3 teams in the BCS. More money for the SEC.
This isn't 2005!!!!!
November 28th, 2011
2:30 pm
2005 has no impact on this game. Absolutely 0. This LSU team of 2011 is deeper, and more talented across the board than the 05 team. That season was the year LSU played 12 straight games with no bye and had a home game moved to the west coast, and a 2nd game postponed to midweek due to not 1 but 2 hurricanes that season. UGA was the better team that night and their play showed they deserved to win. They still weren’t the best team that year as proven by the fact that once LSU got rested and healthy they destroyed Miami 40-3 with their backup QB playing and UGA lost to WVU as referenced above
Go Dawgs!
November 28th, 2011
2:31 pm
@Matthews Dawg
November 28th, 2011
12:50 pm
THANKS!!! – I was wondering about that, That provision makes perfect sense. Appreciate the response
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
2:32 pm
Whatever…maybe ESPN can get to the bottom of it all by doing that goofy circle jerk courtroom bit they do. Yep…that really inspires us all with confidence that they’re the ‘worldwide leader…’
For me to poop on.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:32 pm
bank on it
Don’t try and lecture me on logic.
You are totally illogical and you only agree with the current idiotic system because it favors your team.
Have the rules changed since 2007?
Yes. To fit the agenda.
i have no idea who would win neutral site games listed by you.
I do know this.
Bama doesn’t deserve to automatically be thrust into the BCS title game just because you think so and a bunch of people voting think so.
It is a joke and you know it.
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:34 pm
Tampa Dawg your answer
but you think OKSU deserves to be in…the pot calling the kettle black.
You need basic concept understanding of an excuse making.
ex·cusedex·cus·ing
Definition of EXCUSE
transitive verb
1a : to make apology for b : to try to remove blame from
2: to forgive entirely or disregard as of trivial import : regard as excusable
3a : to grant exemption or release to b : to allow to leave <excused the class
I am certain your logical paragraph fits that criterior.
Now, to answer your question, I think Arkansas and UGA could beat OkieState on a neutral site. Not one of their opponents this year, especially Iowa State, has a great defense with the lone exception being maybe Texas but Texas gave up over 200 yards on the ground in that game against OSU.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
If bama wins the rematch, it will be a split vote for the title and nothing will be settled.
BCS=joke
HotDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
I say we shoulda beat SC and not played like a bunch of High School rejects and all of this would be a moot point. Imagine all of the options if we were 11-1 with the lone loss to Boise!!!