Five predictions: SEC Championship

Five predictions for the SEC Championship game between Georgia and LSU today at the Georgia Dome:

Tony Barnhart

Who: CBS Sports personality and co-host of “Barnhart and Durham” on 790 the Zone

Comment: Georgia absolutely can compete with LSU because it has the best quarterback in the SEC and one of the best defenses in the country. And if this was a 30-minute game instead of a 60-minute game, I might pick Georgia. But LSU wears opponents down with its superior depth and wins the game in the fourth quarter. That is why LSU will win.

John DeShazier

Who: New Orleans Times-Picayune columnist

Comment: LSU wins by three touchdowns. As impressive as Georgia has been in winning 10 straight games, it hasn’t played a team like LSU. The Tigers will score on defense and/or special teams, and the offense continues to jell. The nation’s top-ranked team will look the part.

Paul Finebaum

Who: Paul Finebaum Radio Network host

Comment: Simply put, Georgia is very lucky to be in this game. The Bulldogs didn’t beat a decent SEC team this year, and if they had played LSU, Alabama or Arkansas, Mark Richt’s team would be out raking leaves today rather than playing for the SEC title. Richt deserves credit for keeping the team focused after a disastrous start. But the fun ends [today]. ... LSU wins by 17 points.

Chris Low

Who: ESPN SEC blogger

Comment: LSU wins by double digits. Georgia has proven to be the real deal defensively under Todd Grantham this season. The only problem for the Dawgs is that LSU is even better on defense — and deeper. That depth will be the difference in the second half.

Chuck Oliver

Who: Co-host of “Chuck and Chernoff” on 680 the Fan

Comment: LSU wins, two touchdowns minimum. Georgia’s defense is legit and should make things difficult on LSU’s quarterbacks, but that’s not going to do anything to help UGA score. What’s overlooked about the blowout from this past Friday is that Arkansas is really good. Tyler Wilson is every bit as good as Murray. The Hogs’ receivers are much better and deeper than Georgia’s, and Petrino runs circles around Bobo as a play caller. And the Arkansas offense scored exactly one touchdown. This one has “BLOWOUT” spray-painted in purple and gold all over it.

Compiled by Doug Roberson