1. Dueling defenses. Both teams rank in the nation's top five in total defense. LSU is No. 2, allowing 248 yards per game, and Georgia is No. 5, allowing 271. The units' relative strength stirred a bit of a debate this week, with Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones saying the Bulldogs' defense "is just as good as theirs, if not better" and LSU wide receiver Russell Shepard responding on Twitter: "Is this guy serious?" LSU clearly has played the tougher schedule, but defense got both teams to the Georgia Dome — and likely will drive what happens there.
2. The turnover battle. LSU and Georgia rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the SEC — Nos. 1 and 15 nationally — in turnover margin. LSU is plus-19, meaning it has gained 19 more turnovers than it has lost, and Georgia plus-10. Georgia has not lost the turnover battle during its 10-game winning streak. The Bulldogs have thrown more interceptions than LSU (10-4) and lost more fumbles (9-4). But despite LSU's vaunted secondary, Georgia has intercepted one more pass than the Tigers (17-16). The Bulldogs also have recovered one more fumble (12-11).
3. Isaiah Crowell. While LSU has four running backs it can depend on, Georgia desperately needs one to come through with a big game. But the Bulldogs' most talented tailback, the twice-suspended and often-injured freshman Crowell, once again has been a cause of concern this week. Will he start? If so, how well and how long will he play? Does Georgia have any other tailback who could step up against the LSU defense? Crowell, UGA's top rusher with 832 yards, has had only two carries in the past two games because of a sprained ankle.
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