There are certain things you cannot do against the #1 team in the nation.
You cannot miss on opportunities.
You cannot make mistakes in the redzone.
You cannot turn the ball over.
You cannot give up the big play.
Against #1 LSU, the Georgia Bulldogs did all those things, and the score reflected the outcome of doing those things against the top ranked team in the land.
Outside of the Georgia Tech week, this blog has been dedicated to helping you all get an "inside" look at football, opponents, and our Dawgs. As we approach the SEC Championship, I wanted to give you all a chance to see how LSU is seeing this game from the other side. Therefore, I sat down with Randy Rosetta (LSU Beat Writer/Managing Editor for TigerSportsDigest.com) and Les East (LSU Beat Writer for the Baton Rouge Advocate).
That is the perception of Georgia's chances against LSU this weekend. The national media, regional media, and, heck, even local media believes Georgia's chances are zip when it comes to upsetting the #1 team in the nation. Want to know my response - as a coach - when it comes to a game like this?
Earlier this week, Coach Mark Richt said that Georgia's "stud" freshman RB, Isaiah Crowell, would play in Saturday's championship game against LSU barring and set back.
Crowell, as many of you know, came bursting onto the scene - first with his puppy announcement and then with his big game against South Carolina. Many in the Bulldog Nation starting thinking this kid could be the best thing since Knowshon. However, since that time, Crowell has mysteriously "disappeared" in big games. He has put up good numbers - quietly - for a freshman.
LSU's defense is considered, without a doubt, to be one of the absolute best defensive units in the nation. Some down in Baton Rouge are even saying this squad could be the best ever.
Now, the question I propose today isn't whether or not LSU has played the best as a unit - they definitely have. No, the question is has LSU played the best each team on their schedule has to offer - that is a no.
6 years has flown by. Since that December night in 2005, Georgia has barely sniffed the Southeastern Conference Championship. Since that night, Georgia has been a roller coaster of a football program. Fighting back in 2006, being top dogs in 2007, falling from grace in 2008, falling harder in 2009, and hitting bottom in 2010. In those 5 years, the SEC has captured 5 straight titles - and looks to add a sixth this season. In all those years, Georgia never once was able to fight for the chance to play for the SEC crown.
Typically, going into a big game, the huge underdog does not want to wake the sleeping giant. In this case, Georgia, the two touchdown underdog, may not want to poke and prod the #1 team in the land - who may or may not be "sleeping" through this game... seeing as how, apparently, regardless of how this game goes, will be in the National Championship game.
Someone forgot to tell Georgia's defense that "rule."
I was about to head to bed when Sportscenter ran another one of these stories for LSU/Alabama, and I just had to share.
Apparently, in 2008, the University of Alabama dedicated the visitor's locker room to an alumni and investment banker - James M. Fail. Yes, the man's last name is fail. The trustees at the University of Alabama could only come up with one place to put "FAIL" - above the visitor's locker room in Bryant-Denny Stadium. That's right, the visitor's locker room is called "THE FAIL ROOM."
