Auburn (6-3) @ #5 Georgia (8-1)
Stat Leaders:
Auburn
Jarrett Stidham (QB): 160/264, 1,953 passing yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs
JaTarvious Winslow (RB): 108 carries, 642 rushing yards, 4 TDs
Darius Slayton (Auburn): 29 catches, 439 receiving yards, 1 TD
Georgia
Jake Fromm (QB): 130/192, 1,762 passing yards, 17 TDs, 4 INTs
Elijah Holyfield (RB): 103 carries, 674 rushing yards, 5 TDs
Riley Ridley (WR): 30 catches, 411 receiving yards, 5 TDs
3 Things To Watch For:
1. Can Georgia’s 1-2 backfield punch find success against an elite Auburn front seven?
2. Will Jarrett Stidham be able to replicate what he did against TAMU in the second half for the whole game?
3. Which team can force the opposing QB, who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, into some turnovers?
3 Bold Predictions:
1. UGA holds Auburn to less than 100 yards rushing.
2. Georgia needs a last second Rodrigo Blankenship field goal to win.
3. Jake Fromm and Jarrett Stidham combine for over 600 yards passing.
Game Run Down:
A couple weeks ago, this would’ve seemed like an easy win for Georgia. Auburn was coming off of two straight losses to Tennessee and Mississippi State, and they couldn’t get anything going offensively. Now, even though the running game still hasn’t been necessarily efficient, Jarrett Stidham got his mojo back in the second half against Texas A&M. He led a late comeback that may end up being the turning point of Auburn’s season, though it will take a lot for the Tigers to take down UGA. The Bulldog rushing attack is just scary good right now, and revenge will be on their mind after Auburn drubbed them at Jordan-Hare last season. It should be a low-scoring game with a lot of field goals, as Auburn’s front seven will slow down the UGA rushing attack, thanks in part to the injuries on the Georgia offensive line. Anders Carlson and Rodrigo Blankenship will get a lot of work with field goals, as neither offense will find much consistent success. Ultimately, as expected, this game will likely come down which QB can make enough plays in the fourth quarter to will his team to win. And to me, Jake Fromm has flipped a switch since his dreadful performance against LSU, and the sophomore is determined to lead his Dawgs back to a national title. It will be close, but Georgia will get a late field goal from Blankenship to get a huge win.
Score Prediction: Georgia 19 | Auburn 17
Game MVP: Rodrigo Blankenship | Kicker | Georgia
