The LSU Tigers are bouncing back after a tough loss against the Florida Gators. They have taken complete control of the Georgia Bulldogs early on Saturday.
In the most anticipated matchup of the day in the college football slate, the No. 13 LSU Tigers have taken a commanding lead over the visiting No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon. LSU had fallen to the cross-divisional rival Florida Gators last week in Gainesville. Georgia was a perfect 6-0 heading into this tough road game.
Georgia entered play as a 7.5-point favorite, but LSU leads Georgia 16-0 heading into the second half. Many expected a tight ball game, but seeing LSU in full control should come as a surprise to most not in Baton Rouge. So what gives for Georgia?
Well, sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm has struggled mightily through the air. He is doing his best imitating of his performance down on The Plains versus the Auburn Tigers last year. He completed just 5 of 16 passes in the first half for 46 yards. 2.9 yards per attempt by a starting quarterback wouldn’t cut it in any era.
But it’s not just Fromm’s struggles under center that has put this game very much in LSU’s favor. Georgia has not been as sharp as it should late in downs on defense. While the Dawgs held LSU to 4-12 on third down, Georgia was a terrible 0-3 on stopping LSU on fourth down.
This led to LSU getting points on just about every position in the first half. Had there been more touchdowns than field goals, this one would be a rout already.
Fortunately for Georgia, the Dawgs have been very much a second-half team this year. They didn’t look good in the first half last week at home versus the Vanderbilt Commodores before running the ball down their throats in the second half to a comfortable victory.
Expect Georgia head coach Kirby Smart to light a fire under his bunch during halftime. His team is being outschemed by Ed Orgeron and company down in Death Valley.
But we have to give LSU credit. Quarterback Joe Burrow completed 10 of 19 passes in the first half for 136 yards. This has set up a strong LSU ground game, as the Tigers have 110 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Going for it on fourth down has obviously panned out for LSU in the first half.
It may only be 16-0 LSU heading into the second half, but Georgia needs to find itself quickly. Otherwise, this will be the Dawgs’ first loss of the season. With another big win for the Tigers, we can expect LSU to climb back into the top-10 by beating the No. 2 team in the nation at home.