The Georgia Bulldogs showed the Southeastern Conference who’s boss by defeating Brian Kelly and his Louisiana State University Tigers 50 to 30 in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta yesterday. 

As is the theme with this year’s iteration of the junkyard dawgs the win was by no means perfect, but it was a win nonetheless. There was a lot of good pushing the Dawg’s score to 50, and at the same time there was a lot of bad that allowed LSU to put up 30. Quite frankly if it weren’t for two lucky breaks swinging Georgia’s way, the game could have easily been 35 to 30– or at least a lot closer than it actually was. 

LSU’s quarterback Jayden Daniels wound up getting hurt and didn’t play the second half. His replacement, Garret Nussmeier, did just fine in his absence though. He had no issue stepping in throwing for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

If it weren’t for Georgia’s lucky breaks in the form of a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown and a tipped-off-the-helmet interception, it could have been a very different game. But it wasn’t. 

The offense found success on both ends of the ball. Stetson Bennett finished the day throwing 23 of 29 for 274 yards and 4 touchdowns. RBU had a day too, going for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns. Other than a turnover because of a fumble from an awkward handoff, there wasn’t much to complain about on that end. 

The defense was something else though. It seemed like every other play LSU was either chucking it deep and testing Georgia’s corners, or having a guy just slip past multiple defenders. The Tigers definitely exposed some holes in the Dawgs’ defense. They amassed 549 total yards (20 more than Georgia) and 30 points, the most of any of Georgia’s opponents from this season. 

There will be a lot to fix, but luckily there’s plenty of time to address what needs help. The next game Dawgs play should be at the Benz again on New Year’s Eve. From now ‘til then, all they have to worry about is themselves.