LSU is heading home for the bowl season. After a smashing victory against Georgia in the SEC championship game in Atlanta, the Tigers will be playing for the BCS championship in New Orleans next month. The top-ranked Tigers capped an undefeated regular season by coming from behind and a sluggish first quarter to snap the Bulldogs’ 10-game winning streak, 42-10.
The first quarter was a dominant showing by the Georgia Bulldogs, who moved the ball surprisingly well against an LSU defense that has been deemed by many to be the best in college football. But the Bulldogs failed to capitalize on a few opportunities by dropping key passes throughout. A 10-0 first quarter lead had the Georgia sideline and fans excited, none the less.
Georgia held the Tigers to 11 yards of offense in the first quarter but dropped passes and a missed field goal only allowed Georgia to build a 10-0 lead. LSU finally struck when, who else, Tyrann Mathieu returned a Georgia punt 62 yards for a touchdown. The Honey Badger has a knack for turning games around with his physical abilities and prowess on special teams. The score ended up being a bit controversial though, as video replay showed a few plays later that Mathieu had tossed the football to the ref just before crossing the line (DeSean Jackson would be so proud). The red, who was already signaling for a touchdown, failed to see this as well and nobody in the replay booth saw this either before it was realized. If all scoring plays are reviewed, then this one was blown by the officials. While the most important angle may not have been ready in time, a video replay official should have seen Mathieu tossing the football and questioned the legitimacy of the touchdown, and waited for more angles. But play resumed and Georgia eventually took a 10-7 lead in to the half.
After a brutal first half though LSU was ticking at the start of the second quarter. First the defense came up with the big play, with Mathieu landing on a fumble by Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. LSU capitalized by taking the lead on a Kenny Hillard 15-yard touchdown run, and the Tigers added another touchdown later in the third quarter with a 4-yard Hillard touchdown run. Hillard continued to contribute with an eight-yard reception for a touchdown from Jordan Jefferson as LSU started to pull away from underdog, and tiring Georgia.
LSU is now destined for a rematch with Alabama, who is ranked second in the BCS standings, but all eyes shift to Bedlam between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. The Cowboys have the most realistic shot at passing Alabama but will need an absolute dominant performance against the Sooners, and not just on offense.
Follow Kevin on Twitter, @KevinOnCFB.
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