No Auburn preview is complete without:
Tonight on the Plains, the Dawgs look to run their winning streak over Auburn to 9 games. I know people this week have been nervous about this game … it’s Jordan-Hare at night. The Dawgs are not at their best on defense. Weird stuff happens there. Auburn is due. Yada, yada, yada.
Well, let’s get to the preview.
When Georgia has the ball
Auburn’s defense hasn’t been the reason that they have 2 losses. While giving up more yards per game than Georgia, they have done a good job of limiting scoring. Today is not the day to start 3 and out or to kick field goals in the red zone. The Auburn defense is 6-16 allowing TDs in the red zone, so they have been opportunistic down there. The game against Baylor could have been very different since the Bears didn’t get score in 2 of their 5 trips into the red zone.
All of that means QB run as well as Josh McCray could be important tonight when the Dawgs get into the scoring area.
The Tigers have been good getting off the field on 3rd down as well holding both SEC opponents at or below 25%.
Staying in front of the chains especially winning on 1st down is going to be crucial to a Georgia win.
When Auburn has the ball
For all of the positives of the Auburn defense, their offense has been just the opposite. They have been solid running the ball especially if you back out sacks (which I believe it’s time for the college game to do that). Cobb is on pace for 1,000 yards, and Jackson Arnold is dangerous with his legs.
As I wrote earlier in the first look, Auburn has been awful in 3rd down in SEC games with a big donut hole against Texas A&M.
If the Dawgs defense can continue its success defending the run, I like the Dawgs chances to keep Auburn in the teens.
What will happen
I’ll take a win regardless of the score, but I do believe the Dawgs have a chance to take control of this game. Don’t turn the ball over, and the Dawgs win and may do so by a wider margin than the oddsmakers think.
Georgia has the better players and the better coaching staff.
Final score: Georgia 27, Auburn 17
I don’t care for the East Alabama Reform School. FTMF’S
Or their War Eagles, Plainsmen, or Tigers either.
Oh yeah, and fuck $cam Newton too.
I’m looking to praise Bobo and the front 7 of the D after this game. Let’s use those weapons on offense and not be predictable and inefficient. Let’s get some pressure up the middle on defense, sacks and an INT from our LBs. No slow starts, sloppiness and failure to convert or contain.
This is one of those games where very little would surprise me.
Auburn has had problems with both sides of their lines. The biggest problem is their RT getting false starts, putting their offense behind schedule. Auburn is last in the SEC in sacks allow, and it isn’t really that close to move up a position. Fortunately for Auburrn, at home the stadium maybe quiet enough to keep their OL on the same page. UGA is second to last in getting sacks.
However, the Auburn DL can get sacks at times going up against a UGA OL that is banged and has never reached potential. Auburn also gives up yards but limit points. Bobo has struggled in goal to go situations. UGA for the past ~20 year has owned Auburn and this isn’t a 2010, 2013 Auburn team.
So I could see UGA in control the entire game for a route. I could see Auburn jumping out to a 3 TD lead with UGA clawing back with enough to win or maybe not. UGA needs the offense to have success early. Allowing the D to have time to make adjustments, and keep the energy out of the stadium.
Game plan:
Punch them in the mouth, deprive them of hope, take the home crowd out, dominate, come home.
Your sentence immediately before your prediction says it all.
Gaskilldawg