Preview of the SEC Championship Game

LSU is geauxing to Atlanta for the third time in the past five years. The last two trips have been very successful. In 2001, backup quarterback Matt Mauck ran for two scores in a 31-20 upset of then-No. 2 Tennessee. Two years later, LSU and Georgia, ranked third and fifth, met in the title game and the Tigers beat the Bulldogs 34-13.

Head coach Les Miles has answered his critics by going 10-1 in his first season in Baton Rouge and winning the west.

Head Coach Les Miles on this year's football team:

"I really feel like this team has achieved a lot considering the start of the season and the unusual nature of the state of Louisiana," said Miles, who will be facing the Bulldogs for the first time. "We feel very fortunate to be in position to achieve a great majority of our goals and to be playing for a championship."

Les Miles on playing Georgia and DJ Shockley:
"This Georgia defense will be the best that we have faced," he said. "We'll put that challenge to our offensive line and I think that they'll respond."

"He's got a rocket for an arm," Miles said of Shockley. "He's got the ability to throw it long and accurately. He's got the ability to avoid the rush, run the ball and pick up some scramble yards."

The Tigers come into this game with a 9 game winning streak. Georgia on the other hand, has pretty much stumbled its way into the Championship Game; with Florida and Tennessee both having disappointing seasons. Statistics wise, LSU and Georgia are neck and neck. The Tigers are second in both scoring offense and scoring defense, while Georgia is just one behind the Tigers at #3.

A win against Georgia on Saturday would put the Tigers in the Sugar Bowl facing Big East Champ West Virginia. A loss would probably put LSU in the Cotton Bowl facing the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Georgia:

1. Get pressure on Russell

2. Protect Shockley from LSU's fast and furious front 4

3. Establish a balanced offense to keep LSU guessing

LSU:

1. Russell must protect the ball

2. Addai and Vincent need to have big games

3. Defense needs to get to Shockley, and fast

Be sure to listen to the Geaux Show later on this week to hear our prediction on the game.