Georgia vs LSU - SEC Elimination Game?

Prior to the season, the much-anticipated showdown between #7 Georgia and #13 LSU was thought to have National Championship implications. Now that each team has one loss, the game takes on a different meaning. SEC survival.

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Both the Georgia Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers had National Championship aspirations prior to the 2008 season. Now that each team sits with one conference loss, Saturday afternoon’s matchup between the two teams takes on a different meaning – an SEC Championship Game appearance. While mathematically, neither team will be eliminated with a loss, the likelihood of either making it to Atlanta with two conference losses is about as low as Pacman Jones has of staying out of a gentleman’s club.

So, what are the ramifications of a loss in this game?

If LSU loses?
The Tigers are in BIG trouble should they fall to Georgia this Saturday in Baton Rouge. Not only would it be a home loss, but it would be their second conference loss, and put them two full games behind Alabama, assuming the Tide takes care of the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday. While a two-game deficit to the Tide, with a matchup between the two teams still on the schedule, certainly isn’t insurmountable; it leaves the Tigers zero margin for error for the remainder of the season against Ole Miss at home and in Little Rock vs. Arkansas.

It gets worse for the Tigers. Even if they beat Alabama and run out the rest of the SEC schedule, two conference losses might be too much to overcome in the SEC West. Mississippi State and Auburn are the only two SEC teams on Alabama’s schedule after they visit Tennessee this weekend, the combined conference records of SEC teams remaining on Alabama’s schedule? 4-9. While Mississippi State has been tough on the Tide in recent years, and Auburn is riding a 6-game winning streak against Bama, neither will be favored.

An LSU loss this weekend to Georgia would make it next-to-impossible for LSU to make it to Atlanta for a chance to repeat as SEC Champions.

If Georgia loses?
The situation wouldn't be as dire for the Bulldogs, should the fall to the Bengal Tigers this Saturday, as they would still have the chance to beat Florida and control their own destiny. But, that doesn't mean it would be pretty either. Florida and Georgia currently sit tied atop the SEC East standings at 3-1, with the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party looming next week. So, assuming Florida takes care of Kentucky this week, and if Georgia falls to LSU this weekend, the two teams would enter next week’s matchup separated by only one-game, but with the tie-breaker up for grabs – something Georgia would desperately need.

Georgia’s offense has been remarkably inconsistent lately, and with road games on the docket with a surprising Kentucky team and an Auburn team that has had to play tough defense virtually every second of every game just to stay afloat, the Bulldogs might have to win out to make it to the Georgia Dome. With the rest of their conference games on the road, including facing the Gators at a “neutral site” in Jacksonville, Fla., the Bulldogs might have to win out - even if they hold the tie-breaker with the Gators. That's a lot to ask of any team, especially one that is having trouble finding the end zone.

This Saturday, the stretch run in the SEC starts. The teams that belong will rise up, and the pretenders will begin to fade. No other game is a better example of this than the Georgia/LSU showdown at 3:30pm EDT in Death Valley.

Story Archive:
Georgia vs. LSU – SEC Elimination Game – October 21, 2008
Franklin’s Firing Isn’t All Bad – October 8, 2008
SEC West September Synopsis – September 28, 2008
Fixing Auburn’s Offense – September 15, 2008
Wells or Not, USC’s Defense Will Dominate – September 10, 2008
No Need To Panic, Auburn Fans – September 2, 2008
SEC and ESPN Reach Mega Deal – August 25, 2008
What Will Happen In The SEC – August 18, 2008
Bama Is Not Back – August 5, 2008
SEC Under-The-Radar Games – July 26, 2008
Enough With The Buckeyes – July 16, 2008
SEC Coaches: How Many Is Too Many? - July 8, 2008
New Coordinators No Problem For Auburn - July 1, 2008

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