The No. 5 ranked Georgia Bulldogs (3-1) are set to host the Auburn Tigers (2-3) at Sanford Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 PM EST, broadcast on ESPN. After suffering a loss to the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide last week, Georgia aims to bounce back as significant favorites by 23.5 points, according to FanDuel.
Keys to a Bulldogs Victory
Start Strong
Georgia needs to establish a solid offensive presence right from the beginning. Although a “hot start” might be overly ambitious given their lack of first-quarter touchdowns against Power 5 teams this season, it’s crucial for them to execute effectively. Auburn’s offense has struggled with ball security, but a slow start by Georgia could provide Auburn with momentum.
Limit Big Plays
Despite their turnover issues, Auburn has shown the capability to make big plays, with 34 plays of 20 yards or more, including 20 that exceed 30 yards and 12 over 40 yards. This explosiveness means Georgia’s defensive backs must excel in one-on-one matchups to prevent Auburn from quickly changing the game’s dynamics.
Open Up the Offense
While Georgia is averaging 4.3 yards per carry, their running game has been stifled as defenses load the box, not fearing Georgia’s passing game enough to pull players back. With only 4 completions out of 18 attempts on passes over 20 yards, Georgia needs to improve its downfield threats. Success in the passing game will be vital for opening up running lanes, as a consistent aerial attack can help balance their offense and create more opportunities on the ground.
In summary, Georgia must focus on starting strong, limiting Auburn’s big plays, and enhancing their offensive balance to secure a victory.
