ATHENS -- Georgia's Isaiah Crowell almost looked like his old self as he ran around in practice on Tuesday.
The freshman tailback, out since the first offensive series of the Nov. 19 Kentucky game with a left ankle injury, showed mobility at the Bulldogs' full-contact workout, and Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, for one, was pleased with what he saw.
"I think he moved around well," Bobo said. "I think he's excited to be back 100-percent healthy. Hopefully that thing will feel 100 percent on Saturday because that has a lot to do with how he feels mentally. Right now he feels pretty good."
Crowell was unavailable for comment; Georgia is withholding its tailbacks from interviews this week.
The question then becomes how will Crowell hold up against No. 1-ranked LSU and its tailback-grinding defense? Backfield depth has been an issue for the Bulldogs all season and it hasn't gotten better this week.
Georgia had held out hope that Crowell's primary backup, junior Richard Samuel, might be able to make it back this week. But the 6-foot-2, 235-pound back, who had ankle surgery on Nov. 1, remained on crutches on Tuesday. Samuel said "probably not" when asked if he'd be able to go on Saturday.
That leaves the Bulldogs with 6-foot, 226-pound freshman Ken Malcome, who got his first start this past Saturday against Georgia Tech, and Carlton Thomas and Brandon Harton to run at the Tigers.
"It's a concern," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "I'm concerned with how our guys will play at the tailback position, but we'll see. We've found a way so far having to mix and match a little bit."
Lack of respect
The fact that Georgia has been generally dismissed in this game and in the BCS bowl discussion is starting to grate on the Bulldogs.
Georgia's drop from No. 13 to 14 in the latest BCS rankings did not escape the attention of junior noseguard John Jenkins.
"I feel like people just continually doubt us," Jenkins said. "They don't believe in us. The only people who believe in us are the ones that are playing. We're playing for each other."
Las Vegas oddsmakers have listed the Bulldogs (10-2, 7-1 SEC) as a nearly two-touchdown underdog against No. 1 LSU (12-0, 8-0).
“I actually love being in that role," wide receiver Chris Conley said. "It’s a role that I feel like we were in at the beginning of the season. I feel like we thrive in that role."
Lee back to practice
Georgia had an unexpected extra player among its offensive linemen on Tuesday. Sophomore guard Dallas Lee, a seven-game starter until he broke his leg against Florida, practiced with the Bulldogs and could possibly play on Saturday, according to his position coach.
"He actually moved around and did some things pretty good," offensive line coach Will Friend said. "There's a chance he could go."
Lee was thought to be out at least until a bowl game. But, as Friend said, "It's a championship game. Everybody's trying to play."
Injury report
UGA defensive line coach Rodney Garner said there's a "good chance" starting defensive end DeAngelo Tyson will be able to play Saturday. The 6-2, 306-pound senior left the Tech game after the second defensive play with an ankle injury.
"I'd say he's probably moreso than not," Garner said.
Wide receiver Chris Conley and fullback Zander Ogletree were in green, non-contact jerseys on Tuesday but Bobo said they each had minor ailments and would play Saturday.
Mettenberger no factor
Richt said the presence of former UGA player Zach Mettenberger on LSU's roster does not compromise the Bulldogs' offensive scheme.
"They might be picking his brain, I don’t know," Richt said. "But there is so much that you can get on film nowadays, I don’t know how much more he could add to it. We have also gone to a no-huddle since Zach has gone, and we have code names and hand signals that he has no idea about. I don’t think it will be a factor, but it could be.”
Mettenberger, a Watkinsville native, was dismissed from Georgia by Richt in the spring last year after pleading guilty to sexual battery charges. After a year at junior college, he's now LSU's third-string quarterback.
Etc.
Georgia practiced for more than two hours Tuesday night in cold and damp conditions. "It was cold, but I thought the guys did a good job," Richt said. ... LSU is the home team for Saturday's SEC Championship game but has chosen to wear its white jerseys. As a result, Georgia will be able to don its home red for the contest. ... Comcast will offer to its cable TV subscribers "A Tribute to Larry Munson," a roast and homage to Munson that first aired in 2006. Munson, the Bulldogs' legendary play-by-play announcer, passed away at 89 on Nov. 20.
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