Georgia at LSU

Recap

The Big Storyline: LSU finally broke out of the low 197s, putting up a season-high and dispelling rumors that it is are anything less than a force to be reckoned with. Georgia got a useful road score for its NQS but still failed to reach 197 for the second week in a row. 

Implications: Georgia will drop to the bottom of the SEC rankings, though the Gymdogs are not far behind Arkansas. The two teams, along with conference foe Alabama, will meet next week at the Metroplex Challenge, with Georgia competing in the afternoon and Arkansas and Alabama at night. LSU’s national ranking didn’t change, but the Tigers improved their average by over a tenth. 

Controversies: Georgia originally finished with a 196.725, but a trio of score changes on beam bumped the Gymdogs’ score by two tenths.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 17 Georgia at No. 9 LSU

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: So far, a revamped Georgia program has exceeded expectations while LSU has faced one stumbling block after another. Don’t let the rankings fool you: Both teams are 1-2 in conference and 1-4 overall. Theoretically, the Tigers have the higher scoring ceiling, but the GymDogs have averaged 197 in their last two meets, including a 196.850 on the road. The outcome is far from a foregone conclusion. 

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Somewhere in midst of its preseason chaos, Georgia transformed into a bars and beam team. You won’t want to miss either of those rotations. Also keep an eye on the LSU vault rotation: Even without individual nationals qualifier Kiya Johnson’s dynamic Yurchenko double full, this lineup remains one of the best in the country.