#4 Georgia at #2 LSU
Time: 2:30 PM CST
Spread: LSU -7.5
Total: 55.5
Odds c/o 5dimes
The No. 2 ranked LSU Tigers are 12-0 but must complete its regular season with an SEC Title by defeating the No. 4 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. LSU finds itself 7.5-point favorites in the game, which will air at 3 PM CST Saturday on CBS. The over/under is set at 55.5 points according to college football oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes.
LSU
The LSU Tigers concluded its regular season by smashing Texas A&M 50-7 last week to notch a perfect 8-0 SEC record. It will take on Georgia (7-1 SEC) in the SEC title game Saturday, and it could be a preview of the BCS playoffs with both teams currently situated in the top-4.
LSU has the No. 2 ranked pass offense in the nation at 390 yards per game. It generates another 170.4 yards via the rush, ranking No. 57. The Tigers tallied 48.7 points per game this season, ranking just outside the top-25 offenses in college football. The defense was again strong: LSU held opponents to just 22.1 per game this season. That is good for a differential of +26.6.
The Tigers have quarterback Joe Burrow to thank for its strong passing game. He threw for 4,366 yards at an amazing 78.3 percent clip with 44 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His passer rating was a nearly-absurd 203.0. Burrow is also capable on the ground. He rushed for 248 yards on 85 carries (2.9 yards-per-carry only) and finished with three rushing touchdowns. Lead-rusher Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for over 1.2k yards at 6.8 per-carry with 16 of the team’s 29 rushing touchdowns. No. 2 back Tyrion Davis-Price was good for 4.6 per-carry and had six touchdowns.
The top-two wide receivers both eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards, led by JaMarr Chase’s 1,457 yards and 17 touchdowns. Chase was good for 20.8 yards-per-catch, and he had a long-reception of 78-yards. No. 2 wideout Justin Jefferson caught a team-best 81 passes and ranked No. 2 in both yards (1,092) and touchdowns (13).
Kicker Cade York was great this season. Though he missed four PATs (of 74) he knocked down 18 of 21 field goals (85.7 percent) and all three of his misses came from greater than 40-yards. He had a long-kick of 52-yards. The special teams are in good hands, or feet, rather, with York having such range and accuracy.
UGA
The Bulldogs have got it done on the strength of its defense and its rushing attack in 2019. UGA ranks just No. 76 in passing offense, but it generates over 200 yards a game via the rush and is ranked No. 33 in that aspect. The defense has held its opponents to just 10.4 points per game while the Bulldogs tally 32.9 points per, itself.
Starting quarterback Jake Fromm has been very solid, even if the team has been focused more on the rush. He has completed 62 percent of his passes with 21 TDs and just three INTs. He has also incurred just nine sacks. Fromm has not proven to be much of a rushing threat (30 attempts for +4 yards), but his ability to scramble and avoid sacks is top-notch.
Also, credit his offensive line for the superb job it has done both protecting him and creating holes for the top-rusher De’Andre Swift. Swift averages 6.2 yards-per-carry on his 193 attempts and has topped the 1,200-yard mark. Swift has seven of the team’s 18 total rushing touchdowns.
The top receivers have been Lawrence Cager and George Pickins, who basically serve as “1A” and “1B” options: Cager has 33 catches for 498 yards and Pickens is good for 476 yards on 33 catches. The duo is responsible for 10 of the 19 total passing touchdowns.
Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has been accurate and deadly. He is perfect (36 of 36) on PATs while having hit 24 of his 28 FGA, though he did miss two of three last week. All three of his misses came from beyond 40-yards, while he is a perfect 13 of 13 from within the 40.
