The rematch between Georgia and LSU in this year’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game has more hanging in the balance than just an SEC title.
The Tigers have a chance to play in the national championship game. But in order to do that, LSU has to play the fifth-ranked Bulldogs, who are playing their best football of the season.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for every player on our team,” said LSU coach Nick Saban. “Guys live for a long time and you don’t get a lot of competitive opportunities like this in your life and it should be something you enjoy and prepare to do your best in. And that’s what we’d like for our team to do.”
The two teams boast the first and second-ranked defenses in the conference and both have starting quarterbacks with resumes that includes the SEC Championship Game Most Valuable Player award.
But before this clash of top-ranked teams occurs, many Tiger fans will be tuned into the Oregon State-USC game, which has national title implications. If USC loses and LSU wins, the Tigers will be staying at home and playing Oklahoma in the Nokia Sugar Bowl for the rights to call themselves the best team in the country.
“I don’t even worry about that,” Saban said. “The players are able to concentrate on what’s in front of them and what they have to look forward to and not get caught up in all the stuff going on around this game relative to what might happen if this happens or if that happens.”
Both Georgia and LSU will be strapping up the gear for a 13th time this season, and Saban said the Tigers are tired of practicing.
“But the focus and the concentration and the effort in practice has been pretty good this week,” Saban said.
The previous game between these two teams was decided with a late fourth-quarter touchdown strike from LSU quarterback Matt Mauck to receiver Skyler Green. The game was iced when LSU cornerback Corey Webster intercepted Bulldogs’ quarterback David Greene with just seconds remaining on the clock.
Saban said in games like this, it is important for football teams to stick with what they do best.
“You certainly don’t want to get 26 outs in a [baseball] game pitching with your fastball and then you get beat in the bottom of the ninth by throwing a change up with two outs and the guy hits it out of the park,” Saban said. “I think one of the things you don’t want to do in a situation like this is not do what you do well.”
LSU (11-1) and Georgia (10-2) both have done many things well all season long, and despite its No. 3 ranking, many LSU fans do not think the Tigers are receiving the credit they deserve.
“If anybody thinks we deserve more, then maybe we should accomplish more,” Saban said. “I respect our team. I think the people we play respect our team. I’m not sure whether the national media respects our team. I don’t know that.
“I think we have a good football team. We’re going to play against a good football team. That’s what’s in front of us. I think every time we win a game against a good football team you gain a little bit more respect from people and get more and more attention.”