The Auburn Tigers meet up with the Georgia Bulldogs between the hedges at Sanford Stadium in Athens on Saturday, November 11th at 3:30 p.m. ET. The football game can be followed on the CBS Network for your viewing entertainment. As of this article, the Tigers are a -10 point favorite and the over/under is set at 48.
Last season, the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry ” went the way of the Bulldogs. In a defensive struggle that seen neither team’s offense get any sort of rhythm, Georgia’s running back Isaiah McKenzie scored two touchdowns in the second half. The back-breaker was a 53-yard go-ahead punt return in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs toppled the Tigers 20-13. Heading into this match-up, Georgia leads the all-time series 56-55-8.
#9 Auburn (7-2):
The Tigers won their sixth straight victory last week when they beat the Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan Hare Stadium in Alabama. Auburn’s rushing attack once again produced enough for the win, but an injury to Kam Pettway might keep the tail back out of this contest. Quarterback Sean White, who missed the first half against the Commodores, should be back in action for Gus Malzahn.
Sean White has been asked to take care of the football while the Tiger’s rushing attack handles the rest. The signal-caller has done pretty good at that. Nine games in, White has completed 123 passes for just over 1,600 yards with nine scores and only two interceptions. He also has rushed the ball for almost 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, behind a powerful Tiger’s offensive line, have led the charge during Auburn’s six game win streak. The duo has combined for over 1,700 yards on the ground and 16 trips to the back of the end zone. Kamryn Pettway is listed questionable but hopes to play after he pulled a muscle against Vandy.
Passing isn’t the first option for this Tiger ball club, but when they look to move the ball through the air they turn to six different receivers. All six have caught double-digit passes and four have found their way into the end zone. Kerryon Johnson leads this bunch with 24 catches for over 400 yards and three scores.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has been a godsend for a unit that struggled mightily last season. The Tigers are stout against the run, allowing only 125 yards a game (29th). They’ve also improved in the red zone, giving way to only 16 points a game (9th).
Georgia (5-4):
The Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing run with a 27-24 victory over the Wildcats in Kentucky. The last-second victory was spearheaded running back Sony Michel. Michel rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown while quarterback Jacob Eason threw for 245 yards and another score.
Quarterback Jacob Eason has proven he can perform in the clutch, almost stealing one away from Tennessee earlier on in the year. He looked comfortable again last week, when he guided the Bulldogs down for the game winning score. So far, Eason has accumulated over 1,750 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Georgia likes to run first to create manageable third downs to help out young Jacob Eason. Tail backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel have delivered, rushing for almost 1,100 yards and seven scores.
Receivers Isaiah McKenzie and Terry Godwin are Jacob Eason’s favorite targets when he throws the ball for first downs in the game. Combined, the two athletes have 56 catches for over 750 yards and six scores. Tight end Isaac Nauta has pitched-in with 20 catches for over 250 yards and another two scores.
Georgia’s defense has quietly become one of the better ones in the SEC. In fact, he Bulldogs defense held Kentucky to just 122 yards passing in the win. The secondary struggled some in 2016, but now are ranked 39th in the country. Georgia allows only 205 yards a game. Georgia ranks 20th in the country against the run but their front seven will be tested by the Tiger’s running attack.
Trends and Notes:
The Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The Bulldogs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games.
The Under is 8-2 in the Tigers last 10 conference games.
The Under is 10-1 in the Bulldogs last 11 home games.
The Favorite is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
Game Prediction:
The Tigers know if they capture this victory, it’s mano a mano against their hated rivals the Alabama Crimson Tide to finish out the year. This game is also a huge rivalry, so I don’t see Auburn overlooking the Bulldogs.
The up and down season for Georgia can culminate in bowl eligibility with a win over the Tigers at home. The Bulldog’s defense has improved and Nick Chubb and Sony Michel can control the clock for their share of the time.
Both quarterbacks will be asked to manage the game while the battle in the trenches will decide this match. Auburn is banged-up but should field the better unit on both sides of the ball. Taking all that into consideration, the Bulldogs should be able to keep this one close. Big plays might be hard to come by in this one, and a double-digit home dog is just to hard to pass up. Take Georgia and the +10 in this slobber-knocker on Saturday.
