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GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked LSU Tigers survived a scare last week, and they are prepared for what figures to be a physical SEC battle with the 18th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. These teams have met 27 times in history, and LSU owns a 14-12-1 series lead over Georgia. Still, the Bulldogs have won the last three meetings.

Les Miles' Tigers are a perfect 4-0 thus far, thanks to a hard-fought 30-26 victory over Mississippi State on the road last weekend. The Tigers are now 2-0 in the SEC, but the fact that they have beaten Vanderbilt and MSU suggests that tougher competition lies ahead. LSU will battle Florida, Auburn and Alabama, not to mention a road clash with Ole Miss.

"Any time you line up against an SEC opponent, they have talent," said Miles before the Mississippi State game. "I think all of our guys respect the team that we see on film." Still, the fact that the Bulldogs nearly won the game had to surprise Miles a bit, even if he won't admit it.

As for Georgia, it has rallied for three consecutive victories since losing the opener to Oklahoma State on the road. The Bulldogs are a perfect 2-0 in conference action, and they stepped outside of SEC play last weekend to record a 20-17 decision over Arizona State. Star wideout A.J. Green blocked a field goal as time expired to preserve that win.

"That's got to be my best play ever," Green said of his block. "That tops all the catches."

"We hate to frazzle everyone's nerves, but maybe we're just trying to get the next team overconfident," joked Georgia head coach Mark Richt after the narrow triumph. "I am super proud of our effort."

LSU starting free safety Chad Jones was named the Walter Camp Foundation National Player of the Week on Sunday for his play in his team's win over Mississippi State. Jones returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown and had two crucial plays, a pass break-up on third down and a tackle on fourth down during a last-minute goal line stand that helped preserve the victory. The Tigers were 2-of-13 on third down conversion attempts in the clash and lost the time of possession battle by almost eight minutes. They were outgained by 111 yards and finished with 30 rushing yards on 31 attempts, so the fact that they found a way to win the game is a bit surprising.

Jordan Jefferson, LSU's starting quarterback, completed 15-of-28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State, and both scores went to star wideout Brandon LaFell. Through four games, Jefferson has completed 61.4 percent of his throws for 708 yards with seven touchdowns against only one interceptions, and LaFell has five scores on 20 grabs. The Tigers are averaging only 310.0 total ypg, and the fact that the ground attack accounts for just 130.2 ypg and 3.8 yards per rushing attempt is undoubtedly surprising.

Defensively, LSU is permitting 15.2 ppg and 333.5 total ypg, and while the defense hasn't been dominant, the group has certainly played solid football. Afterall, foes have completed fewer than half of their passes against the Tigers, who are also yielding 3.5 yards per rushing attempt. Harry Coleman leads LSU with 29 total tackles, and Rahim Alem has 4.5 TFLs to his credit.

"We want to be better than good," said Miles recently, and a convincing victory over Georgia may warrant the title of great for this group of Tigers.

Georgia is scoring 30.8 ppg this season and gaining 357.2 total ypg, not bad considering the turnover at the skill positions from last year. The aforementioned Green remains, however, and he has made 25 catches for 428 yards and four touchdowns. Joe Cox has been strong under center, completing 60.9 percent of his throws for 980 yards and nine touchdowns against five interceptions. As for the ground attack, Richard Samuel has started all four games and has 281 rushing yards to his credit.

Opponents are averaging 29.8 ppg and 355.8 total ypg against a Georgia team that certainly has some room for improvement defensively. The Bulldogs are allowing 243 passing yards per contest at a clip of 13.3 yards per completion, so there are some issues in need of attention in the secondary. Of the 11 touchdowns that opposing offenses have scored against Georgia this season, 10 have been passing scores. The Bulldogs have forced only three turnovers, a low figure by any standards, and their total of five sacks isn't going to scare LSU. Rennie Curran leads Georgia with 39 total tackles, but that comes as no surprise.

In addition to his blocked field goal against Arizona State, Green hauled in a 56-yard touchdown pass from Cox and finished with eight grabs for 153 yards. Cox did throw a pair of interceptions, and those mistakes made the game closer than it probably should have been. Give a great deal of credit for the victory to the Bulldogs' defense, which held ASU to 204 total yards, including a mere 116 yards passing on 10-of-32 efficiency.

Expect a tremendous battle on Saturday, as LSU and Georgia appear to be evenly matched. Green and LaFell are two of the truly elite receivers in the nation. While the Tigers enter with the higher ranking, Georgia has the distinct advantage of playing at home and will win another nail-biter.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Georgia 30, LSU 27