Rebels Lane Kiffin Weighs In On Battle Between 2019 LSU, 2021 Georgia

Because of course Lane Kiffin as an opinion on the matter.

Lane Kiffin isn't a world-class fisherman, but he's an All-American bait sniffer and one of the best at catching it in the act. 

Earlier this week, SEC Network asked a simple question to fans who call the Southeastern Conference home: Who would win between the 2019 LSU Tigers and 2021 Georgia Bulldogs? 

Would Joe Burrow and the high-tempo offense featuring two future All-Pro receivers prevail? Could a defense that held opponents to 10.2 points per game contain a Heisman Trophy winner on a neutral site? 

Kiffin, a former quarterback-turned-head coach, knows to win in today's game, all lies with the man under center. Naturally, the fourth-year Ole Miss coach thinks the answer is obvious. 

"LSU!!!" Kiffin tweeted. "Come on man it’s Joe B!!"

Lsu!!! Come on man it’s Joe B!! https://t.co/wO6Dd28twq

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) May 18, 2023

Burrow is the starting point for any conversation, but he's not the only big-time name. LSU featured a quartet of talented pass-catchers in Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall Jr. and tight end Thaddeus Moss. 

Jefferson and Chase have become top-10 receivers with the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. Marshall, a second-round pick for the Carolina Panthers in 2021, broke on the scene late last season, totaling 28 catches for 490 yards. 

As a unit, LSU's offense was near unstoppable. The Tigers averaged 48.4 points per game to match their FBS-leading 568.4 yards per outing. Burrow, who became the face of Bengals football as the No. 1 pick the following offseason, broke the FBS' single-season touchdown record with 60 passing TDs to go along with 5,671 yards through the air. 

Georgia, led by Kiffin's former colleague at Alabama and defensive wiz Kirby Smart, made its own headlines in 2021. Not only did the Bulldogs hold opponents to record-low numbers, but the unit featured 14 future NFL draft picks — six of which heard their names called in the first round. 

The phrase "offense wins games, defense wins championships" rings true for those with stable quarterback play. Stetson Bennett IV became a Heisman finalist and was a vital part of the Bulldogs' title run in 2022, but his inaccuracies led to trouble at the time the year prior. 

Georgia's defense held teams to under 10 points nine times in 2021 but did come up short against Alabama in the SEC Championship game. Bryce Young threw for 421 yards and 3 TDs en route to a 41-24 victory in Atlanta. 

The Bulldogs got the last laugh at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis a month later with a 33-18 victory for their first national title in four decades. Conversely, LSU handled business against every opponent in 2019, with its closest win coming against Alabama in Bryant-Denny Stadium by five points. 

Both teams could field NFL rosters and likely settle this on Sundays, but Alabama's victory over the Bulldogs gives a slight edge to the Tigers, even if Kiffin were to lean with his former work buddy in Title Town. 

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