B&S SEC Game of the Week: Big Surprise - It’s Georgia and Auburn
By: Bossman Slim
Photo: Michael Chang, Getty Images
Was it going to be any other game? We could have pulled a fast one on you and picked a sneaky good game like South Carolina and Florida, but Florida is too dang good and should slowly choke the SC chickens. Aggies and Tide fans may have something to say about our pick, but we sent their opinion to the Washington Post fact-checker and it was deemed “pants-on-fire false.” After A&M’s dismal performance in Kyle Field last week, that game lost some excitement. We expect the Tide to roll in that one - so The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry was the only place to turn. Or as we like to call it, “That Other Cocktail Party.”
We can’t wait for this matchup. It’s the first Top 10 contest of the season between two SEC bluebloods. Both looked rocky in their openers last week but were able to pull away in the second half. They weren’t the only ones though - that was par for the course. Almost every SEC team last week, aside from Alabama, sleepwalked through at least two quarters, and mosts did it for the entire game. Sloppy football was seen all over the college football landscape, which was to be expected in this nothing-is-the-same year of college football.
As it pertains to the game - we’ll likely get to see Georgia break-in a new starting quarterback in JT Daniels, who we projected would be the starter before the season. Daniels has yet to be named the starter, and Kirby is teasing a platoon, but the writing is on the wall. Kirby is head-faking Auburn, trying to make them plan for multiple possibilities at QB. Ain’t nobody buying it. Anyone who watched that game last week knows that 1) D’wan Mathis has a long way to go and isn’t likely to start again this year if Kirby can help it and 2) while Gordon Gecko’s son from his first marriage Stetson Bennett provided a spark in relief, he’s not the Dawgs long-term answer under center. Now that Daniels has been given the all-clear, will we see a crisper offensive performance from the Dawgs, or will it be another dud? The Auburn defense is a significant step up from the coffee filter system run by Razorbacks DC Barry Odom, and Georgia’s offense was only able to muster three touchdowns. They’ll have to ratchet their production up if they want to sink Aubie this week.
Georgia’s offensive line will be another key to the game to watch. The Dawgs gave up 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss and were not able to put together a consistent running game all day. UGA finished with 121 yards on 42 carries in the game for an anemic 2.9 yards per carry and one TD. Yikes. Star backs Zamir White and James Cook were held under 100 yards combined. Arkansas has recruited decently along the defensive front, but Georgia has had a top-three recruiting class every year since 2017. You’re telling me the big boys can’t move some earth against...Arkansas? The line needs to get on the same page, and fast. Auburn registered 2 sacks, 8 TFL, and 5 QB hurries - and this was against an experienced Kentucky offensive line that had two players named to the preseason all-SEC teams. They did give up 145 yards rushing, but Kentucky is built to run. Georgia is built to run too - so if Smart can get the line in order, they may have a chance to create some wedges and get Zamir White going. We’re betting Auburn’s defensive front gives the Dawgs some fits on the line and with whoever starts at QB. Expect them to be in the backfield a good part of Saturday, especially with preseason All-SEC defensive end Big Kat Bryant returning from an ankle injury.
No college football media source has put out this gif, and frankly, it’s embarrassing. Just trust us.
On the other sideline, Auburn was able to overcome a mediocre performance to put away Kentucky last week. While Auburn made the plays when they needed to and capitalized on Kentucky mistakes, it was the Wildcats shooting themselves in the foot (and a questionable called back touchdown at the end of the first half) that handed Auburn the game. Kentucky had more passing yards, more rushing yards, and controlled time of possession. But their three turnovers cost them the game, especially one inexplicable fumble by QB Terry Wilson that just seemed to come out of his hands for no good reason.
All that to say, Auburn handled the Wildcats in a solid win. Bo Nix had some bright spots and looks to have improved as a passer. If he continues this improvement...watch out, this Auburn team could make serious waves in competing for the College Football Playoff. The Tigers need to improve their rushing attack as well, gaining just 91 yards against Kentucky last week. That won’t cut it against top 5 Georgia.
Our big focus this week is in the trenches. Again, that is where this game will be won or lost. Auburn’s defensive line has dudes, and they’re getting their best player back from injury in Big Kat Bryant. Can Auburn impose their will on the Dawgs, or will Georgia’s line band together and show up? On the other side, can Auburn’s offensive line do the same?
We’ll be watching the performance of these lines all day because that’s where this game begins and ends. This will be an SEC slugfest, with some modern passing concepts thrown in.
Prediction:
Give us Auburn in a big upset. In the end, Bo Nix is too much for the Dawgs, who are trying to break in a new QB and don’t have it figured out yet on offense. We expect Big Kat Bryant and Co. to wreak some havoc on Saturday and make it a long day for Georgia.
Auburn 33
Georgia 28