College Football Preview: #7 Auburn vs. #4 Georgia
Top-10 SEC matchup with early season implications.
It has the distinct title of “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” amongst college football enthusiasts and fanatics. A rivalry that dates back to 1892, the same year as Grover Cleveland being elected President of the United States. Between the two programs, there have been 124 chapters, with Georgia leading the series with a 60-56-8 record. The 125th chapter has it share of intrigue itself. Let’s preview the latest contest between Auburn and Georgia.
Auburn Analysis
Because of rival Alabama having a loaded offense, LSU being the defending national champions, two interesting coaching hires in the SEC West, and Georgia winning the transfer quarterback sweepstakes, it’s understandable why Auburn was often overlooked. Last week’s 29-13 win over Kentucky in the season opener was a close one for three and a half quarters until they took advantage of some Kentucky miscues late.
Auburn could not get their run game going as they averaged just three yards per carry as a team but sophomore quarterback Bo Nix picked up the slack with 233 yards passing and three touchdowns. His maturation this season is key for Auburn after an up-and-down freshman season in 2019 as a full time starter. It helps to have a reliable target such as Seth Williams, a 6’3 target coming off a 59-reception, eight touchdown season in 2019. Williams was huge in week one with 112 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Last year’s contest saw the Auburn defense limit Georgia to just 251 total yards and 3-for-15 on third downs. That defensive front from last season has seen considerable migration to the NFL but linebacker K.J. Britt is still the man in the middle and a lot will be counted on from veteran linemen Big Kat Bryant and Tyrone Truesdell.
Georgia Analysis
There is no question that talent is abundant on this Georgia team. But two factors will make or break how successful their season will be: quarterback play and the reliability of the coaching staff.
Thanks to some last minute magic, the Bulldogs will have an elite starter at quarterback in USC transfer J.T. Daniels. Nothing like getting your feet wet within the SEC with your first start being in one of the oldest rivalries in college football. Daniels was a former #1 overall recruit after re-classing into the 2018 recruiting phase but a torn ACL in 2019 along with internal issues within the USC program led to his transfer. Daniels inherits a stable of running backs that is insanely deep and talented. He also has an athletic receiver trio in George Pickens, Kearis Jackson, and Demetris Robertson.
A stale showing by the Bulldogs offense last week was aided considerably by a stingy defense that held Arkansas to just 280 total yards and three turnovers. Cornerback Eric Stokes turned one of those turnovers into a 30-yard pick-six late in the third quarter that seemingly slammed the door on Arkansas. Along with safety Richard LeCounte III, the Georgia is aggressive and opportunistic but a case can be made for their front seven being the nucleus of the unit. Linebackers Monty Rice and Nakobe Dean patrol the second level of the defense while Nolan Smith can establish himself as the best defender on the team at some point this season.
Prediction
Last year’s contest was a 21-14 slugfest that saw Georgia stand victorious. Even with a slew of new starters on both sides, this will likely see a similar outcome as a four-quarter fight that can very likely come down to the last possession.
Having Daniels in uniform and starting is huge for Georgia. Once he is able to get complete grip on the Georgia offensive scheme, the Bulldogs will be truly difficult to beat.
Auburn will go as far as Nix can take them. He has a reliable defensive unit but his dual threat ability opens up their offense. They also have a number of weapons that can be overwhelming. Especially with their tempo play calling rhythm.
A sloppy start on offense again this week can be detrimental for Georgia against a team like Auburn. I believe it will take Daniels a couple of games to get that rhythm down with his receiving corps which means they will need to lean on the run game early and often. However, Auburn’s defense is stout in run defense. Nix and his weapons will make this one interesting early and put some pressure on Georgia. However, the talent of Daniels will prove to be the difference as his strong arm stretches the Auburn defense late for the win.
Great stuff!!!