Bulldogs look for better showing in 2nd straight SEC title game

Georgia's hopes in the SEC title game Saturday might rest on the shoulders of its surging defense. Georgia's defense has played inspired ball as of late, and many on the unit point to the first half of last year's SEC title game as a turning point. Georgia held SEC champion LSU to 12 total yards and zero points in the first half. Despite eventually losing 42-10, the Dawgs will use that first-half performance as a confidence booster.

"This team is way more confident and has way more swagger than last year," cornerback Damian Swann told the Athens Banner-Herald. "That’s what’s going to help us in the challenge this weekend. We’ve got to go out and play like we’re the best team on the field."

The Bulldogs are giving up 17.7 points per game on the season. That number shrinks to 8 points per game over the last three weeks.

"I think we’re the best defense in the country," cornerback Sanders Commings said. "I thought we were last year. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be a top defense. Everybody that plays on this defense thinks we are."

Georgia defenders hope the experience from last year has prepared them for victory on Saturday.

"You know what to expect and you know to try to control your emotions, linebacker Amarlo Herrera said. "Don’t let your emotions overwhelm you," We know how the atmosphere feels, we know what type of game it is, we know how much it means now."