The Daily Reveille sports staff shares their thoughts following LSU’s 36-16 upset of then-No. 2 Georgia.
Is it time to consider LSU a playoff contender? | Kennedi Landry
After decisively dominating the No. 2 ranked team in the nation Saturday, LSU has a resume that is arguably better that any team. A team that was only picked to go 6-6 already has six wins.
At the time of play, LSU had beaten No. 8 Miami, No. 7 Auburn and No. 2 Georgia. Even with a bump in the road at then-No. 23 Florida, LSU is back in the national conversation.
In its 36-16 win over Georgia, LSU put together its most complete game of the season and showed the nation that it can compete with any team, even Alabama in two weeks time. If the Tigers play like they did against Georgia through the end of the season, there’s no reason this isn’t a 10- or 11-win team. And with Alabama’s remaining schedule, LSU seems to be the only team capable of knocking off the Tide.
With only four undefeated teams left after seven weeks on competition, LSU clearly has a shot at making the College Football Playoffs.
After the win, junior linebacker Devin White said, “We’re not going to let up.” LSU is in the conversation for now, but to remain there, the Tigers must keep going in the right direction. 
Ed Orgeron and LSU get their marquee win, for now | Brandon Adam
Former LSU Athletic Director and legendary baseball coach Skip Bertman said during the week that Saturday’s game against No. 2 Georgia could be Ed Orgeron’s signature win that firmly establishes him as LSU’s coach. Bertman referenced Nick Saban’s win against Georgia in 2003 and Les Miles’ win against Florida in 2007 as similar games that helped cultivate their legacies.
On Saturday, Orgeron got his. He’s never going to bask in his own success and always uses his line, “it’s not about me. It’s about our players.” Well, when you’re the head coach of LSU, it is somewhat about you.
The coach whose hire was praised by some and lamented by others may have finally vindicated current athletic director Joe Alleva with the win against the Bulldogs. But it may all be for nothing if LSU stumbles against No. 22 Mississippi State in the upcoming week or if No. 1 Alabama continues its seven-game win streak against LSU.
Flexible coaching staff | Chris Caldarera
Throughout the season, LSU coach Ed Orgeron has shown that he’s not beholden to one particular scheme or style of play. If he thinks there’s something new that will help the Tigers secure a victory, he’ll try it. Against Georgia, that something was an up-tempo offense.
The pre-snap motions and deliberate pace that LSU used against Florida was nowhere to be found against Georgia. The Tiger offense moved quickly, and the Bulldogs were forced to burn a few timeouts in order to correctly align their defense.
A fast offensive pace wasn’t the only area that LSU changed between Florida and Georgia, though. The Tiger coaching staff was more aggressive against the Bulldogs than they have been all season. LSU was a perfect four-for-four on fourth down attempts, and the Tigers didn’t allow their opponent to hang around late in the game. LSU outscored Georgia 17-7 in the fourth quarter to secure victory and cap off a 20-point win against the No. 2 team in the country. The Tigers played like a brand new team, and a huge reason for that is a coaching staff that rolls with the punches and isn’t afraid to make mid-season adjustments.
O-Line saves the day | Glen West
If there’s one position group that has been maligned over the entire season, it’d be the offensive line. After a less than stellar performance against the Florida Gators, the o-linemen were particularly hard on themselves in practice leading up to Georgia.
The group won the battle up front against the Bulldogs, including on 4th and short where the Tigers converted on all four attempts. Sophomore tackle Austin Deculus said after the game, those plays helped ensure a confidence in the group as a whole.
“When it comes down to it, the offensive line trusts Coach O and vice versa,” Deculus said. “We kept driving our feet, and put the person in front of us on their back.”
Orgeron added it was the best performance he’s seen from the o-line all season. With two tough matchups in No. 22 Mississippi State and No. 1 Alabama on the horizon, LSU must now hope this is only the start of an offensive line that is finally starting to click.