Georgia Tech vs LSU, 2008 Chick-fil-A-Bowl, Prediction

If I would have told you at the beginning of this season after the beating LSU put on Ohio State in last years BCS Championship game that the Tigers would barely be bowl eligible, I would be bound in a straight jacket in some unknown institution.  The season started out well enough for Coach Les Miles and his defending champions, carrying a 4-0 record into a showdown with Florida.  The Gators pummeled the Tigers by 30 points and LSU has been trying to stop the bleeding ever since.  These are not your 2007 Tigers even though much of the roster has returned from that championship team.

   If I were to also have told you at the beginning of this wacky NCAA Football season that Georgia would have a tough time staying ahead of its in-state rival Georgia Tech in the rankings, I would be moved in my straight jacket to an undisclosed island in the Pacific.  Georgia Tech actually pulled ahead with a very strong finish beating Georgia on the last week of the regular season.  Think back five long months ago when Georgia was ranked #1 and Georgia Tech was unranked, unheralded, and unappreciated.  My, my how times have changed.  The Yellow Jackets have one of the best rushing games in the nation with many contributing players.  The number three rushing offense in the country is fronted by Jonathan Dwyer, a crafty running back averaging seven yards per carry, Roddy Jones, averaging a weighty 9.1 yards per touch, and QB John Nesbitt, who can be elusive.

The reasons why I am picking Georgia Tech to win this game are momentum, a solid base, and no Ryan Perrilloux.  Yeah, I said it — no Ryan Perrilloux.  LSU and Perrilloux parted ways in the offseason.  The gritty Perrilloux, who I still think will play on Sundays, is the cog that has stalled the whole machine.  Nothing against Jarrett Lee.  His best days are yet to come, but don’t send the sophomore to drivers ed at a Nascar track and expect him to maintain speeds of over 200 MPH when he is just feeling the car out.  Lee will make a big play or two against Georgia Tech, but he lacks the leadership and consistency to make LSU a winner on December 31. Coach Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech over LSU this time.

2008 Chick-fil-A-Bowl (formerly known as the Peach Bowl for the older non-corporate fans)           

January 31, 2008                7:30 PM                    #14 Georgia Tech vs LSU