No. 2 Georgia faces No. 13 LSU at Tiger Stadium on Saturday in a matchup of SEC and College Football Playoff contenders on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0 in SEC) are in control of the SEC East and are looking to defend last year's conference championship, but they'll be making their first trip to Death Valley since 2008. Kirby Smart has a balanced team led by sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm.
LSU (5-1, 2-1) is coming off a loss at Florida, and this is the first of three home games that will define Ed Orgeron's second full season as head coach. Will transfer quarterback Joe Burrow be able to match Fromm here?
WEEK 7 PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread
Here's a look at the need-to-know information about the Bulldogs and Tigers heading into Saturday's game:
How to watch Georgia-LSU
Georgia and LSU kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The game will be televised nationally on CBS.
Betting odds
Georgia opened as a seven-point favorite and that line has held so far this week. The Bulldogs are 3-3 against the spread this season, including a 1-1 mark on the road against SEC opponents.
All-time series
This is the 31st meeting between the schools and the first since 2013 — a 44-41 victory for Georgia. LSU has a 16-13-1 advantage in the series.
MORE: Week 7 Power rankings
Three things to know for Georgia-LSU
— These teams don't meet often with the new crossover schedule, and it's just the fifth meeting at Tiger Stadium since 1990. Georgia and LSU split those four meetings.
— LSU has only been a home underdog six times since 2010 — and the Tigers are 3-3 in those games. Georgia is 22-6 as an away favorite in the same stretch. That includes an 8-1 record under Kirby Smart.
— The Tigers are 2-0 as an underdog this season with victories against Miami and Auburn. This obviously is a tough challenge, but at least it's at Tiger Stadium.
Three things to watch
— Red-zone offense. Both teams have an identical .920 scoring percentage in the red zone this season, with 23 scores each in that situation. The The difference is the Bulldogs have scored 18 touchdowns and five field goals to the Tigers' 14 touchdowns and nine field goals. In games like this, the team that doesn't take advantage will be in trouble.
— Completion percentage. The difference between Fromm — who ranks second in the SEC at 72.8 percent — and Burrow — who is 13th in the conference at 53.9 — needs to be bridged for the Tigers to have a chance. Georgia's balance on offense is predicated on Fromm's efficiency and a relentless running game. It's on LSU to disrupt that.
— Nick Brossette. The Tigers need to feed the running back with at least 20 carries in this game. That worked against Miami, and he had 15 carries for 95 yards in the loss to Florida last week. LSU can't abandon the run, even if it falls behind early.
MORE: Week 7 Bowl projections
Stat that matters
Georgia ranks in the top 20 in third-down percentage on both offense (20th, .478) and defense (15th, .300) LSU, meanwhile, ranks 81st on offense (.380) and 39th on defense (.344). If the Tigers can't bridge that gap, then it's going to be a long day at home. That will be the biggest test of the Bulldogs' composure in a hostile environment.
Prediction
The Alabama shadow looms over this game. Both teams likely will have to go through the Crimson Tide, but the possibility for a one-loss SEC Playoff team still exists. That's why this game will be played in furious fashion. Expect LSU to pull out a few misdirection trick plays to give Burrow clean looks down field. In the end, however, Georgia is the more balanced team. Fromm makes a few clutch third-down throws at crucial points, and that will be ultimately be the difference.
Final score
Georgia 30, LSU 21
