Georgia Football: breaking down matchups vs no.10 Auburn
Georgia Football takes on no.10 Auburn this week in what might be the biggest game of their season so far.
It’s a top 10 showdown in Auburn this weekend between the #10 Auburn Tigers and the #1 Georgia Football team. This game is huge because both teams still have playoff hopes. This is probably the most meaningful installment of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry we’ve had in years. This will be only the 4th time these teams have met in a top 10 matchup. Auburn is 3-0 in those games so far. This game is extra personal for me because I have a bet with a huge Auburn fan. The loser must wear the opposing team’s shirt so you could say that I have a lot on the line here.
What Auburn must do to win.
We all know that Kerryon Johnson is a beast. He leads the SEC with 15 total touchdowns and has proven that he can carry the ball 35 times in a game if needed. Georgia is going to key in on him so the offensive line is going to have to play well. Clemson’s front seven is the toughest Auburn has faced and they wreaked havoc. Georgia could be just as good up front as Clemson so Auburn is going to have to adjust. For Auburn to win, Johnson is going to have to play tough and hit the holes given by his offensive line.
What Georgia must do to win.
Georgia is facing the toughest defense they’ll face all year in the regular season. The Tigers defensive line is massive and athletic. Although the Dawgs have run the ball through everyone so far, it might be different Saturday. Auburn has the talent to slow down the UGA run game, but do they have the depth? Georgia has won games by simply wearing down defenses with a strong run game. The offensive line and running backs must continue their running dominance to win this game on the road.
X-Factors
For both teams, the quarterbacks will be the X-Factors. Both running games are potent, but both will have a tough time running. This game may come down to which quarterback makes a few plays.
Jarrett Stidham is the Auburn quarterback. The former Baylor Bear has been very efficient for Auburn this season. He has a good arm and has the ability to make plays with his feet. The main problem I’ve seen with Stidham is he tends to play a little scared at times. Georgia is liable to send some heat at him early to shake him up. If Stidham can remain calm and find his targets, he could lead Auburn to a victory.
For Georgia, the coolest true freshman in the nation is Jake Fromm. Some people are going to want him to throw the ball a lot. They’ll look at Auburn’s tough front 7 and think that this is the game to unleash him in. Woah there guys, there’s no need for that. Fromm showed last week that he’s capable of throwing when needed. However for Georgia to win, they will need their running game to put up another big week.
Fromm needs to be efficient again, but if we rely too much on his arm, we’re getting away from what makes this team great. Hopefully, we see a similar performance to South Carolina. Balanced, efficient and very much in control.
Who wins?
Next: A history of UGA vs Auburn upsets
This is gonna be a war. I think Auburn is going to come out hot, but fizzle out in the second half like they are known to do. Dawg fans will have to sweat it out. But at the end of the day, my war eagle friend will be wearing a bright red UGA shirt. The Dawgs will win. Georgia 27-Auburn17