Parallels Between Georgia and LSU 2019 Group
While no comparison between teams will ever be perfect, at first glance there are strong similarities to how Georgia looks entering the 2021 season compared to LSU in 2019.
No. 1: Former Transfer Quarterback in Second Season
While Joe Burrow played 13 games during his first year at LSU to JT Daniels' four at Georgia, the situation remains largely the same. Both transferred into a new program, won a starting job, played well enough to secure a starting spot the following season, and heading into Year 2 was holding the keys to an explosive offense.
While Daniels is somewhat more talked about by the national media heading into this year than Burrow was prior to his final college season, he still isn't regarded where he should be.
Burrow put up one of the best seasons ever seen before, and no one is saying Daniels will do that. However, Burrow outperformed expectations, won the Heisman Trophy and carried LSU to a national title with one of the best offenses in recent college football memory. None of that is off the table yet for Daniels.
No. 2: Young, Dynamic Corner
LSU was able to go as far as they did in part to the lockdown play of true freshman cornerback Derek Stingley. He totaled six interceptions and was widely regarded as the best defensive back in college football.
Georgia has three young corners this year that could fit that bill. The most obvious is redshirt freshman Kelee Ringo, the consensus No. 1 corner in the class of 2020. Then, there's both Jalen Kimber and Nyland Green who also have tremendous potential.
No. 3: Electric Receiver Tandem
In 2019, wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson teamed up to become one of the best receiver duos in recent memory. At the moment, Jefferson is becoming one of the best receivers in the NFL and Chase will likely be a top-12 pick in this year's NFL Draft.
Georgia wideouts George Pickens and Jermaine Burton could be Georgia's version of that tandem. They have the physical and athletic measurements to match up with anyone and the quarterback to get them the ball. Consider the numbers in 2018 for the LSU wide receivers (the year before their title), and the Georgia receivers this past season:
- LSU
- Justin Jefferson, sophomore: 54 catches, 875 yards, 6 touchdowns
- Ja'Marr Chase, freshman: 23 catches, 313 yards, 3 touchdowns
- Georgia
- George Pickens, sophomore: 36 catches, 513 yards, 6 touchdowns
- Jermaine Burton, freshman: 27 catches, 404 yards, 3 touchdowns
No. 4: Coming Off a Bowl Win over a Group of Five School
Georgia is fresh off an 8-2 season with a win over a Group of 5 school (Cincinnati) in a New Year's Six Bowl game, after missing out on the SEC Championship Game.
Entering the 2019 season, LSU was coming off a 10-3 season that was capped off with a win over UCF in the Fiesta Bowl.
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