Keys to the Game: LSU vs. Georgia

LSU WILL WIN IF…

Now or Never: LSU has been trying different tweaks in terms of scheme and personnel in hopes of generating a more consistent pass rush since losing K’Lavon Chaisson to a torn ACL in the season opener. Ed Orgeron has been harping on it for weeks, and LSU’s 27-19 loss to Florida showed why as the Gators dominated 5-0 in the sacks department. Georgia has the fewest sacks in the Southeastern Conference (6), but the Bulldogs have only allowed eight. LSU can’t win this game without pressuring Jake Fromm and keeping Joe Burrow upright.

Embrace your inner Dog: The lone bright side of LSU falling from the ranks of the unbeaten is that this team can assume a role its more comfortable in. LSU routed Miami and shocked Auburn on the road as nobody-believes-in-us underdogs, but the Tigers never quite looked comfortable playing as a top-five team expected to take care of business. Look, LSU is going need to play an unbelievable game and get some breaks if it’s going to upset Georgia, but it’ll help the cause if Orgeron can rally the troops together like he did in those first few weeks.

GEORGIA WILL WIN IF…

Spread the Love: Gone are the one-two punch of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel at running back, but in their place Georgia has surrounded Fromm with an abundance of talent in all shapes and sizes. Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift get most of the carries, but James Cook, Brian Herrien and even freshman quarterback Justin Fields contribute out of the backfield as well. Speed demon Mecole Hardman and Riley Ridley lead a dangerous receiving corps out wide. Georgia moves the ball by having Fromm distribute to their vast array of playmakers, and it’ll be tough for LSU to take them all away.

Start Fast: Nobody has put a real scare into this Georgia team as a 43-29 win at Missouri presently stands as the closest call to this point through a 6-0 start. The Bulldogs have done this by starting fast and never taking their foot off the gas. Against South Carolina and Missouri, Georgia’s toughest road tests to date, Georgia turned both into routs early after scoring non-offensive touchdowns. The Bulldogs have a chance to do it again if they can get up early on an LSU team coming off a deflating loss.