OFFENSE DAWG BONE: GEORIGA
Georgia’s offense is one of the most productive offenses in the SEC. The Bulldogs average 42.8 points a game and have scored 40+ points in five of the six games. Georgia has a balanced offense averaging 245.17 on the ground and 240 in the air. The Bulldogs need to pass the ball to spread out the defense, then let its four-headed monster tote the rock and wear down the Tigers’ defense. Georgia ranks as the No. 1 rush team in the SEC and averages 6.03 yards a carry. That’s a big thank you to the big men up front. If the Bulldogs can keep their big guys healthy and continue to find a balanced attack, the Tigers will struggle to stop any of the Bulldogs offensive weapons.
DEFENSE DAWG BONE: TIE
There is a tie for the Defense Dawg Bone as both defenses like to force turnovers and cause havoc. LSU has intercepted opposing quarterbacks eight different times while Georgia has four interceptions on the year. However, it’s the Bulldogs ability to force fumbles that could really cause problems for the Tigers.
Georgia’s front seven must put pressure on Joe Burrow and make him make mistakes. Despite causing more fumbles than interceptions, it’ll be Georgia’s secondary success that could be the deciding factor of the game. Deandre Baker, Richard LeCounte, J.R. Reed and Tyson Campbell must shut down the passing game. This group needs a few turnovers to force LSU to run the ball. If the Bulldogs can win the turnover margin in this game, Georgia should improve to 7-0.
SPECIAL TEAMS DAWG BONE: GEORGIA
Rodrigo Blankenship continues to etch his name into Georgia history and will continue to get the special teams Dawg Bone. He surpassed Blair Walsh’s PAT record against the Commodores and now has made 121 consecutive PATs. Blankenship also has 44 touchbacks on the season and kicks a touchback 93.62 percent of the time. With 131 career touchbacks, he is on pace to potentially beat Kevin Butler’s 169 career touchbacks.
COACHING DAWG BONE: GEORGIA
Kirby Smart has done something that no other coach at Georgia has ever done. Georgia has never been 6-0 two years in a row until now. The culture change, recruiting and coaching have transformed this program entirely, and Smart still says this team isn’t where it needs to be. The more this team buys in, the more successful they will be. Smart has a good thing going, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon.
OVERALL DAWG BONE: LSU
The Tigers get the overall Dawg Bone because of where the game is being played. Death Valley is one of the toughest places in college football. LSU’s crowd will be loud and the atmosphere hostile. After the tough loss to Florida, the Tigers will be looking to prove they’re still a contender. Georgia will have to quiet the crowd with a few big plays to be able to play in this historic stadium.