But while I expect Georgia Tech to move the football and score some, I don't really think they'll rack up the giant point totals on LSU that they did on Georgia and Miami. LSU's run defense has been a little better than that this year, and the Tigers should be healthy in the front seven. It's the pathetic pass defense that has killed LSU most of the season, and this team isn't really capable of generating the wide receiver-on-a-safety mismatches that have burned the Tigers most of the year.
As such, where this game will be won or lost for LSU is at quarterback.
The Tigers should have Charles Scott healthy for the game, and the offensive linemen who staggered to the finish line with an assortment of injuries at the end of the season should all be fresh as well. So the running game for LSU ought to be in good form against a Georgia Tech run defense (116 ypg, 3.5 ypc) which is pretty good but not in the same league as, say, the Alabama unit LSU gashed for over 200 yards. But if the Tigers can't establish the pass, this season has proved that they can be stopped on the ground by almost anybody - and that is where
Jordan Jefferson comes in. Jefferson has had a month or so to work as the starting quarterback, and by all accounts he's developing nicely. He gives the Tigers a mobile quarterback and in doing so opens up the full spectrum of Gary Crowton's offense that just can't be run with Jarrett Lee in the game. If Jefferson can operate the passing game and keep from turning the ball over, the Tigers can outscore this team very easily.
Georgia Tech's pass defense isn't terrible; they posted a solid 18 interceptions this year with safety Morgan Burnett leading the way with seven. But they also give up a 59 percent completion rate, and that tells you the short pass should be available. Their cornerbacks, Mario Butler and Rashad Reid, are a sophomore and a freshman, respectively, and neither weigh more than 181 pounds - so LSU can exploit some size mismatches on the flanks with Brandon LaFell, Demetrius Byrd and Terrence Toliver if Jefferson can get them the ball. And with the game being played on turf the Tigers should be able to press a speed advantage on offense. Don't be surprised to see a healthier dose of
Trindon Holliday in the LSU offense tonight; Holliday disappeared largely because of a bad ankle he had late in the season, but he's back to 100 percent now and this is a perfect opportunity to get him involved.
Also, look for offensive coordinator Gary Crowton to pour out his bag of tricks on the Rambling Wreck since LSU is something of a blank slate at quarterback with Jefferson starting and, frankly, the fact that LSU has little to lose in this game against a ranked and favored opponent.
