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
JT
November 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
I’m sure the SEC is hoping for a Georgia win. Only way they get 3 teams in BCS bowls. Payouts $18 million per school for BCS title game (LSU/Bama) and $17 million for Sugar (UGA). That extra $17 million would be nice. But, man $53 million for those three bowl games alone. That’s crazy.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
Lex…I think you nailed it right there.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
2:36 pm
DawginLex
If it were Ohio ST, Michigan or USC that was in the Bama position and didn’t win their conference, bank on it would be crying the loudest.
Is Bama the #2 team? Probably. But Bama has had they’re shot and they lost at home no less. If they rematch and Bama wins 9-6, who is the champion?
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:36 pm
How is OSU getting in an excuse?
If OSU beats OK, they will be the champion of their conference. They will have won it on the field, not by a ballot.
In your world, the Yankees and Phillies would have been in the World Series this year.
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:38 pm
Dawg in Lex,
You will not answer because it blows your logic out of the water. All UGA had to do was win either Boise or USC and you would be in the conversation.
No one says the system is not broken, but it is what we have. Deal with it.
Duck Soup
November 28th, 2011
2:39 pm
Sigh. This will be the most boring SECCG and NCG in recent memory. Kudos to GA for a stellar comeback year, but LSU is going to eat the dogs for breakfast.
If Bama and LSU do end up playing again, I may not even watch it. Stupid BCS.
Hotdawg
November 28th, 2011
2:39 pm
@shine weren’t your fans crying a couple of years ago because you couldn’t beat ole miss and were bama’s whipping boy again? I remember the mad hatter at the top of the hot seat list so don’t act like you don’t have skeletons!
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
And which team won the WORLD Series? a team who did not win their division.
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
@This isn’t 2005!!!!!
I hear ya, but please don’t try to tell me that wasn’t a really good LSU team. The amount of NFL talent that came off of that team was pretty impressive. And their only losses came to #10 Tennessee and then to UGA who was then #13. But during that game, LSU was #3 and already beaten #11 Florida, #16 Auburn and #4 Bama in Tuscaloosa. That was a really good team and I bet if you find the line for that game, UGA certainly was a sizeable underdog then too.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:41 pm
What have i not answered?
You don’t know who would win those OOC games anymore than I do on a neutral field.
Why did your coach say in 2003 that no team that didn’t win its conference should play in the BCS title game?
The current joke of a system fits his agenda now along with the ESPN idiots.
You can’t defend it so stop trying.
We know you like it because it puts Bama in the game
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:43 pm
Rank the MLB teams before the playoffs but don’t have any playoffs except maybe Texas versus Arizona.
Then let the Yankees play the Phillies in the World Series
that’s your version
KeepDreaming
November 28th, 2011
2:44 pm
Typical. Dawgs get screwed in 2007, but BCS Darlings LSU and Bama get a shot at an NC without either one of them winning their conferences.
Will look awfully odd in the record books, wont it?
2011:
SEC Champs: Dawgs
National Champs: Alabama
My grandson one day will scratch his head and wonder how the hell that ever happened?
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:45 pm
Thw typical whining, crying , boohooing, excuse making, UGA fans are so worried that Bama wins another BCS TITLE and UGA has to think back to 1980 for a fond memory. The crying by UGA fans is laughable, win saturday nite then you have a reson to chirp.
beebee
November 28th, 2011
2:45 pm
I cannot fathom all this sudden hate for Alabama, seeming all because Georgia was shoved aside like an unwanted blind date back in 2007.
All you so-called SEC fans ought to be happy Alabama might play LSU again. Because such a thing will never happen again and the mighty SEC will have that distinction in college football history.
Secondly, enough with the “boring” game stuff. Either you all are Mortal Kombat, video freaks or you just do not understand pure football.
LSU won’t face a team like Bama this year or next. This year’s Tide’s offense isn’t bad. And look at what LSU could not do against Bama.
Put Oklahoma State above Alabama in the polls. WE WON’T CRY!
But seeing that has not happened yet, try to show us a little tiny bit of respect!
LSU smashed everybody – will annihilate UGA – except Miss. State and almost lost ONLY to ALABAMA!
So just go your little grocery stores, buy your little nacho chips and salsa, and get ready for part 2 of the latest Game of the Century.
And then sit your overweight butts there the whole friggin time as you WILL stay on the edge of your seats!
bee
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:46 pm
Let us all think back to the first LSU BCS title game. Who was that against? Oklahoma. Did Oklahoma win their conference …. NO!!!!!
UGA Insider
November 28th, 2011
2:46 pm
Resting players?? The game is 43 some odd days away? You could blow an ACL and be back in time for the MNC rematch.
And by the way, no matter what happens Saturday it will be Bama vs LSU in the game. Both teams will have one loss by the way.
I’m ready to make my prediction early this week fella’s……UGA 24 LSU 20.
This is really a meaningless game to LSU and we catch them sleeping. Can you see the sugar falling out of the sky?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
Dawgin Lex
OSU only signature win was Kansas St
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
I have an idea
Georgia beats LSU
Bama beats LSU in the rematch
Georgia gets 5 dudes that eat at the counter at the Varsity in Athens every Saturday to vote them national champions like half of the 13 titles Bama claims that got voted on by the 5 old dudes at The Tuscaloosa Drug and Foundry
trueUGAfan
November 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
all I know is that A couple of years ago, LSU played for and won NC, with 2 losses, so someone please explain me the difference of then and now should UGA win SECCG…
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
Dawg in Lex..you are just lazy and I guess lacking any sort of opinion if it ruins your feeble argument.
Once again you make zero sense. Be a man, make a prediction about those games…
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:51 pm
I say Ok State beats Arkansas in a shootout and we beat Ok State
It is all a guess
Which is the basis for the entire BCS system
A bunch of folks voting and guessing with little true playing being done on the field.
Hotdawg
November 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
The kitties only beat miss st by 13 points this year. Something about playing a dog those kitties don’t like!
Dr. Jekyl
November 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
Say all you will…but no way a non-conference champion should play for the national title. Period! Can you imagine it…UGA is the SEC champion but LSU the national champion??? How is that even in the realm of possiblity? UGA should be in the Championship game this year if they defeat LSU. That would be 11 straight wins!!! To include beating the #1 ranked team in America. LSU got in with multiple losses why not UGA???
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
I have an idea
Georgia beats LSU
Bama beats LSU in the rematch
Georgia gets 5 dudes that eat at the counter at the Varsity in Athens every Saturday to vote them national champions like half of the 13 titles Bama claims that got voted on by the 5 old dudes at The Tuscaloosa Drug and Foundry
————————
Love the idea Lex ..Personally though, I am not that concerned about the rematch happening. If UGA can’t be in it (USF has NO shot at anything this year), then I am pulling for another SEC team to win the NC. If Bama wins it, they can get one title closer to that mythicl number they throw out all the time.
This isn't 2005!!!!!
November 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
TampaDawg,
I never said they weren’t talented, but you give to much credit to that squad as far as NFL talent. Joseph Addai is hurt just as much as he plays. “Off-DaMarkus” Russell was a bust of epic proportions. Dwayne Bowe is ok, but far from a stud. The only significant NFL contributors are Kyle Williams (DT for Buffalo, and a pretty good one, but he got hurt early on this year) and Andrew Whitworth is a slightly above average LT, but he will never be confused with Jonathan Ogden
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:54 pm
Now how hard was that?
So you think UGA BEATS Arkansas by that logic….
UGA beats LSU, that they would beat Oksu as well. Nice support for your dawgs.
Boca Baby
November 28th, 2011
2:55 pm
If LSU wants to rest its players we will be happy to fly the 2011 SEC Champions flag at Sanford next fall.
DawgsBiteBCS
November 28th, 2011
2:55 pm
I’m a Dawgs fan through and through and I expect to beat LSU. That said, based on the schedule they’ve played I wouldn’t have a problem with LSU going on to the NC game even if they lose the SECCG. Bama on the other hand has not earned it. LSU should not be penalized for playing in the SECCG but Bama should be precluded from the NC because they didn’t even win their division. If OSU wins their division and has one loss on their record I don’t see how it makes sense to anyone outside the state of AL for the Tide to go to the NC game. A playoff system is in order here and as fans we should boycott the bowl season until it is instituted. Congrats to LSU on an outstanding season and Go Dawgs!
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
2:56 pm
What is UGA’s mythical number? 3?
UGA Insider
November 28th, 2011
2:58 pm
Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State and that excludes them from the BCSNCG. It’s gonna be Bama/LSU.
How many titles did Bama give themselves during WWI and WWII? Seriously.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
2:58 pm
It’s not hard to guess
The BCS system is lazy, not me
It is easy to sit back and vote
Harder to actually have some rules, live by them and play it out on the field.
boots
November 28th, 2011
2:59 pm
No way Bama should get in the NC game. They lost to LSU. They are not playing in the SEC championship game. How can they be NC and not be the SEC champion? If they do play, then UGA should get a share of the NC for 2007. We were the best team in the nation at that stage, but ESPN and Hirbstreet made it their mission to keep us in the Sugar Bowl where we crushed Hawaii. Let Bama play Houston there. Meanwhile, even if UGA beats LSU, let LSU play OK State or Stanford. Bama had its shot and LOST at home. I say this as a Dawg. I’m thinking we have a one in three shot to beat LSU, and I won’t be floored if we do. It would be typical for this comeback team if our “disgraced” kicker wins on a last minute fieldgoal. Go Dawgs!
timthebrave
November 28th, 2011
3:00 pm
I hope the computers come up with Houston vs Boise St for national championship….Not great for this year but I’ll be loving it when we finally can have a playoff and championship declared on field instead of polls.
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
3:00 pm
@This isn’t 2005 … all are true as far as after being in the NFL but those guys were talented enough to get drafted. That’s what I am saying, plus, Glenn Dorsey was a sophomore on that team I believe. And Dwayne Bowe is more than ok. 2 dozen other NFL teams would take him in a heartbeat. Yes, Russell was a bust in the NFL, but I think many kind of saw that coming. His style didn’t translate but his college talent was pretty awesome.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
3:00 pm
Arkansas was exposed versus Bama and LSU for having no OL and a weak DL.
Ours are better
They have better receivers
Our running game is equal with Crowell
Our defense is a lot better
We win straight up versus arkansas
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
Bama had their chance. They lost 9-6 at home. Why do they get another without winning their conference?
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
3:02 pm
@This isn’t 2005, by comparison though, look at the NFL players that UGA had on it’s 2005 team.
Sonny B. Layne
November 28th, 2011
3:03 pm
I’m just glad GA is playing in the SEC CG. We have shown great improvement this year. GA did not make their 2011 SEC Schedule. The League makes it. You may be light one year & heavy the next. Teams are better one year & worse the next. Every Team does schedule some lightweights, every year. Well, we do play Tech every year & I don’t consider them a lightweight or B.State. No one could predict that the SEC East could be down this year when the schedule was made. I don’t care who plays for the NC, but feel Ga will give LSU a good game. If we beat LSU, should we play for the NC? No, I also think we are underrated at #14. I won’t mind playing someone rated higher than us in a Bowl.
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
3:03 pm
MULLIGANS
Another Bama Point of Pride
TampaDawg
November 28th, 2011
3:06 pm
@Bank on it .. I am sure it has been posted before, but just so you have something to reference when we say “mythical”
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305944-alabama-claims-12-national-championships-reality-claims-otherwise
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
3:06 pm
Lets see how UGA does saturday night on both lines of scrimmages, then we can compare teams with Arkansas.
Idiot Dawg
November 28th, 2011
3:07 pm
I don’t really expect the dawgs to win this Sat. for one reason only; depth! The crawdad sucking tiggers have enough to spell each other adequately. As far as an elephant/tigger rematch: I’ll have to flip a coin between that and a rerun of the Macy’s parade.
Oh and Herbstreit said his opinion had ‘evolved’ to let the 2 best teams play! I’m sure it will evolve again later to what his bosses tell him.
chuckie doll
November 28th, 2011
3:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Evansdawg
November 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
I don’t think the Dawgs will win…but I bet they scare the he!! out of LSU. Its not going to be a cake walk by any stretch of the imagination for LSU. The fact they possibly think it will be a cake walk may ultimately be their own doom. So, its well worth it to stay tuned.
Bank on IT
November 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
Read that last year, opinion piece in Bleacher Report. I know we hve more than UGA has and that is a fact.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
DawginLex
Well they lose it at home and expect to win it in NOLA? Great logic there eh?
DawginLex
November 28th, 2011
3:11 pm
I also think we would go toe to toe with Bama. Shut down the running game. AJ does not scare me passing. Our special teams are better.
close low scoring game.
munsondawg
November 28th, 2011
3:12 pm
Can’t wait for Dawgs to get their shot. I’ll be there in the dome Sat. afternoon.
sherry
November 28th, 2011
3:13 pm
You know anybody can be beat on any given day!!!! GO DAWGS.
Idiot Dawg
November 28th, 2011
3:16 pm
@bank. I think Balaama (yes, spelled correctly) has a great team. Just don’t want to see the play again. I want to see the SEC beat up on somebody that ain’t the SEC. It might be kinda like wanting to see UGA play USCe in the Sugar Bowl. Who would that be of interest to in the nation? Just the 2 teams playing and of course ESPN. give it a rest bro, you’ll get to play again even though you got beat the first time!!!!!