In this case, a trip to the finals of the national championship.
Tyrann Mathieu has made an MVP performance when the No. 1 Tigers need him the most. He returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown, set up another score with a fumble recovery and, finally, finished No. 12 Georgia with his best play yet - a whirling dervish of a return that leads to decisive TD in a 42-10 victory in the title of the Conference of the Southeast Saturday's game.
LSU (13-0) advanced to a spot in the BCS championship game in New Orleans, only 75 miles from its campus in Baton Rouge. The Tigers opponent will be announced Sunday night, but the SEC West rival and No. 2 Alabama - already beaten by the Tigers 9-6 in overtime a month ago - had the inside track but did not win his division.
The Crimson Tide will face a second year without the fear that the best nickname of the country, and is an even better player.
"Last night I dreamed with three touchdowns," said Mathieu. "I think I came close to that. It's me trying to do what I can for my team. "
His nickname comes from a funny video on YouTube showing the world supposedly ferocious animal ("Honey Badger is not serious, he just wants what he wants," says the narrator). Defensive coordinator John Chavis has shown the five feet 9 inches and 175 pounds player clips on the way back from a victory in West Virginia, believing that fits Mathieu.
No argument there.
"My teammates love the name, and I think it represents me on the ground," said Mathieu. "I just go with it. My teammates do a great job with my back. Anything I can do to help these children, cheer, I will. I think the honey badgers do sometimes. "
The Bulldogs (10-3) raced to a lead of 10-0 could have been even greater had he not dropped a pair of touchdown passes in the first quarter of potential. LSU looked very ugly on offense, going three and seven of his property before the break.
The Tigers did not even have a first attempt, ending the half with only 12 total yards.
But thanks to Mathieu, the deficit was only 10.7 when the teams in the locker room. He sent a punt at his 38 years, found an opening and went - in the end zone for his punt return for a touchdown in the second last week, as many. He had a 92-meter off a win against Arkansas.
Well, almost to the end zone. The replays showed the ball to Matthew shot an officer just before it crossed the goal line, but nobody in the area caught the error.
"I have to remind myself not to do that next time," he said with a smile.
It has long been forgotten by the time it was done. On the first possession of Georgia in the second half, quarterback Aaron Murray has tried to run for a first, but he hit the loose ball just before he hit the turf.
Mathieu was going to fall on it at the Bulldogs 26 for his fifth fumble recovery this season.
LSU quickly got his first big role. The Tigers finally got a first test, the first rookie Kenny Hilliard broke a run of 15 yards for the first of his three touchdowns. Normally, it would be more than enough to win the MVP trophy match. Not even close yet.
Tyrann Mathieu has made an MVP performance when the No. 1 Tigers need him the most. He returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown, set up another score with a fumble recovery and, finally, finished No. 12 Georgia with his best play yet - a whirling dervish of a return that leads to decisive TD in a 42-10 victory in the title of the Conference of the Southeast Saturday's game.
LSU (13-0) advanced to a spot in the BCS championship game in New Orleans, only 75 miles from its campus in Baton Rouge. The Tigers opponent will be announced Sunday night, but the SEC West rival and No. 2 Alabama - already beaten by the Tigers 9-6 in overtime a month ago - had the inside track but did not win his division.
The Crimson Tide will face a second year without the fear that the best nickname of the country, and is an even better player.
"Last night I dreamed with three touchdowns," said Mathieu. "I think I came close to that. It's me trying to do what I can for my team. "
His nickname comes from a funny video on YouTube showing the world supposedly ferocious animal ("Honey Badger is not serious, he just wants what he wants," says the narrator). Defensive coordinator John Chavis has shown the five feet 9 inches and 175 pounds player clips on the way back from a victory in West Virginia, believing that fits Mathieu.
No argument there.
"My teammates love the name, and I think it represents me on the ground," said Mathieu. "I just go with it. My teammates do a great job with my back. Anything I can do to help these children, cheer, I will. I think the honey badgers do sometimes. "
The Bulldogs (10-3) raced to a lead of 10-0 could have been even greater had he not dropped a pair of touchdown passes in the first quarter of potential. LSU looked very ugly on offense, going three and seven of his property before the break.
The Tigers did not even have a first attempt, ending the half with only 12 total yards.
But thanks to Mathieu, the deficit was only 10.7 when the teams in the locker room. He sent a punt at his 38 years, found an opening and went - in the end zone for his punt return for a touchdown in the second last week, as many. He had a 92-meter off a win against Arkansas.
Well, almost to the end zone. The replays showed the ball to Matthew shot an officer just before it crossed the goal line, but nobody in the area caught the error.
"I have to remind myself not to do that next time," he said with a smile.
It has long been forgotten by the time it was done. On the first possession of Georgia in the second half, quarterback Aaron Murray has tried to run for a first, but he hit the loose ball just before he hit the turf.
Mathieu was going to fall on it at the Bulldogs 26 for his fifth fumble recovery this season.
LSU quickly got his first big role. The Tigers finally got a first test, the first rookie Kenny Hilliard broke a run of 15 yards for the first of his three touchdowns. Normally, it would be more than enough to win the MVP trophy match. Not even close yet.
