By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Breaking down the Southern Pigskin Game of the Week: Auburn vs Georgia.

Game: Auburn vs Georgia

Overview — The national spotlight follows Georgia into every game as the Bulldogs have clearly established themselves as one of college football’s two frontrunners. Auburn’s dramatic win at LSU sets the stage as a top 20 matchup. There remains some uncertainty at the quarterback position for Georgia as starter J.T. Daniels battles injury. Reports are that Stetson Bennett, who threw for 240 yards and a touchdown in helping the Bulldogs to a 27-6 win over the Tigers last season, will get the start. He has been very effective as a veteran reserve and has already played in four games this fall. The big question is whether or not Auburn will be able to move the football against a Georgia defense that ranks number one in the country in scoring and total defense, pass defense and redzone touchdown percentage. The Bulldogs have won seven of eight in the series overall, the 2017 SEC Championship Game included, where they avenged their lone loss in that span.

Why to Watch — Dating back to 1892, the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” has had some incredible moments and has often comes with a few surprises. Within the last 25 years alone, this series produced the first SEC overtime game ever in 1996, David Greene’s game-winning 4th-and-15 touchdown pass to Michael Johnson in 2002 and Ricardo Louis’ famed “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” in 2013. This season’s showdown will be yet another showcase for Georgia, ranked second in the national polls. Saturday presents a true, trying road test for the Bulldogs, who have looked the part of a leading contender every week. Both defenses are are aggressive, attacking units that play fast and fluid. Georgia is, without question, college football’s current defensive standard. Auburn, meanwhile, leads the Power Five with 46 tackles for loss. There are also multiple standout running backs on both sides, with the Bulldogs and Tigers both laying claim to the “RBU” distinction. Three of the last four contests played at Jordan-Hare Stadium have been one score games.

Keys for Auburn
1. Offensive Unpredictability — Facing one of college football’s most dominant defenses in a generation, Auburn will have to keep Georgia guessing. From passing on running downs and running on passing downs to utilizing the full length and width of the field, the Tigers must keep the Bulldogs off balance. This will even be a day for a trick play or two. Highlight-reel plays will be needed. Given that Georgia is currently allowing 180.6 yards and 4.6 points per game, Auburn should go through every page in the playbook. The good news is that the Tigers have multiple talented runners, a dozen players with at least three catches and four with at least 14. Look for Auburn to move tight end John Samuel Shenker, fresh off a career game, around in an attempt to create favorable matchups downfield. Expect various alignments, looks and shifts to get the Bulldogs out of position. Georgia-transfer Demetris Robertson is a talented and versatile receiver who can find seams out of the slot. Running backs Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter should get more than their 15 combined carries a week ago. The mobility of Bo Nix may be the x-factor here. His running ability, either by design or by scrambling, as was on display in the victory at LSU, gives the Bulldogs another element to account for.

2. Force Third and Long — Georgia wants to be in 3rd-and-manageable situations. It’s there, with seemingly-countless options at running back, receiver and tight end, where Stetson Bennett and the Bulldogs can be especially-effective. Georgia is currently converting 50% of all third down tries this season. Long down-and-distance situations also play directly into the strength of Auburn’s defense, which is attacking the line of scrimmage. The Tigers rank third nationally in tackles for loss, with edge defenders T.D. Moultry, Eku Leota, Derick Hall and Colby Wooden each having at least five TFLs. If playmaking linebacker Owen Pappoe is healthy and can go, that would be a huge boost. Should Auburn win on early downs, success that will have to start with the defensive front, the potential for capitalizing on mistakes only increases. With a heavy rush pressuring an offense then needing a downfield conversion, the Tigers’ talented defensive backs would have opportunities to make plays in coverage.

3. Special on Special Teams — It’s simply unlikely that Auburn, or any team, will drive the length of the field against Georgia with any consistency. Field position will be absolutely critical. Any edge the Tigers can get via the kicking or punting game will come with considerable momentum. Big upsets often come down to special teams and it’s there where Auburn has to make a play. So far, that third aspect of the game has been a priority on the Plains. The Tigers lead the SEC in punt return average, rank third in kick return average and are tied for second nationally with three blocked kicks, having returned one for a touchdown. Demetris Robertson is averaging 18 yards per punt return. A short field is a major help against a defense like Georgia’s. Especially at home, Auburn has the potential to change the dynamic of this game on special teams.

Keys for Georgia
1. More of the Same Defensively — Georgia has completely overwhelmed opponents to a generational extent to date. If that continues, the Bulldogs will keep comfortably winning games by multiple scores. So much of what Georgia does starts from controlling games right from the trenches. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Travon Walker and Devonte Wyatt consistently and completely dominate at the point of attack, which gives coordinator Dan Lanning countless schematic options. Edge defenders Adam Anderson and Nolan Smith have already combined for eleven quarterback hurries; along with linebacker Nakobe Dean, their pursuit of Bo Nix, who will likely be used as a runner regularly, will be crucial. Whether or not the Bulldogs can get to the Auburn quarterback will be the game-within-the-game to watch as the Tigers have only allowed three sacks and 16 tackles for loss this season, both ranking in the top ten nationally. Look for defensive backs Latavious Brini, Lewis Cine, Chris Smith and perhaps Tykee Smith, to play close to the line of scrimmage to slow down Auburn’s ground game. Georgia will attack the Tigers from every position.

2. Make Auburn Win Downfield — By almost every statistical measure, Georgia has the nation’s top pass defense, a distinction held by a wide margin in many categories. While Bo Nix is coming off an impressive performance in Baton Rouge, he still slots just 9th in the SEC in passer rating, is averaging only 6.7 yards per attempt and completing merely 58.5% of his throws. Auburn, ranking second in the country with 6.81 team yards per carry, roughly the same team rate at which the Tigers run, will want to establish some productivity rushing the football. After nine carries last weekend, this may be an afternoon where Tank Bigsby becomes more of an offensive focal point once again. Then there is Jarquez Hunter, who leads college football with a remarkable 10.64 yards per carry. The spotlight will be on linebacker Nakobe Dean and company to prevent Bigsby and Hunter from getting to the open field. If Georgia can make Auburn one-dimensional, even modest gains will likely be few and far between. Make the Tigers adjust and move the football consistently through the air, which plays right into the Bulldogs’ strengths of downfield coverage and rushing the passer.

3. Protect the Passer — Not only is starting quarterback J.T. Daniels still not fully healthy, Stetson Bennett has been dealing with a minor injury as well. Georgia can limit the number of hits he takes with both good play and good play-calling. Expect to see Bennett make quick reads and quick throws often; tight end Brock Bowers, who already has 18 receptions for 272 yards and four touchdowns, will likely be a top option in the middle of the field. Also look for Georgia to establish the ground game early, especially coming off a game where the Bulldogs ran a season-high 56 times for a season-high 273 yards against Arkansas. The offense has eight rushing touchdowns the past two games. Georgia’s talented offensive line has been exceptional so far, most specially in pass protection, having allowed just two sacks through five games. Given the injury situation, it will be imperative to keep defenders off of Bennett, Daniels or both.

Players to Watch
Auburn: Tank Bigsby, RB — After he rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games to open the season, Bigsby has run for just 87 total yards the past two weeks. Expect Auburn to turn to Bigsby early and often in a game of this magnitude. Any chance the Tigers have of consistent offensive production is going to have to start with their best player leading the way. A matchup with Georgia’s defense awaits as a major challenge and opportunity alike for Bigsby.

Georgia: Jordan Davis, DT — Davis has very much been one of the best players in the game. He is the tone-setter for all that the Bulldogs do defensively. At 6’6”, 340 pounds with great mobility, he demands so much much attention at the line of scrimmage. Beyond just occupying multiple blockers, Davis makes plays; he has ten total tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries.

Summary
This Game Will Come Down to … whether or not Auburn can convert a few home run plays, getting the chunk gains and home momentum swings that will be absolutely necessary to stay within reach against heavily-favored Georgia, which has one of the best defenses in recent college football history.

Prediction: Georgia 30, Auburn 16