Which Georgia team will show up tonight in Sanford Stadium for “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”? The one that got destroyed by rivals Tennessee and Florida or the one that scored 51 at Arkansas and 42 on South Carolina in victories?
At this point, you have to wonder if even Mark Richt knows what’s going to happen with his team.
Tonight, the Dawgs will face their oldest rival when Auburn comes calling at Sanford Stadium. The Tigers come into the game 7-3 and on a two-game winning streak. Highlights for Auburn this year was beating West Virginia and Tennessee while lowlights were losing to Kentucky at home and by 21 to Arkansas.
A LOOK AT AUBURN
The Tigers’ spread attack under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn has averaged 450 yards per game and his unit is ranked first in the conference in total offense and second in scoring offense with 35 points per game.
Running back Ben Tate is third in the SEC in rushing with 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns while quarterback Chris Todd boasts a 17-3 touchdown to interception ratio.
You can expect Todd to improve on that ration tonight against a UGA defense that is ranked last in the conference in turnover margin and interceptions caused. The Georgia defense is also 11th in the conference against the pass.
Despite the gaudy offensive numbers, however, Auburn is averaging just 19.7 points on the road and 342 total yards. The Tigers lost by 21 at Arkansas, where UGA won 51-42, and at LSU 31-10, a team UGA played to a near standstill in Athens. However, the Tigers did win in Knoxville, where UGA was defeated soundly.
Auburn will roll up some yardage tonight, but can the Dawgs force field goals instead of giving up touchdowns?
On the other hand, the Tiger defense has not been its usual stout self this season. Auburn ranks 11th in the SEC in total defense and dead last in scoring defense, allowing 26.6 points per game.
While UGA can expect Auburn to get their points and yardage, the Georgia offense should be able to move the ball on the Tigers all night.
HISTORY, STATS AND OTHER NONSENSE
-Auburn leads the all-time series 53-51-7
-Georgia has won three in a row for the first time since 1980-1982. UGA has not beaten Auburn four times in a row since winning five-straight from 1944-1948.
-The Tigers traditionally have done very well in Athens, as they own a 17-9 edge in Sanford Stadium. In fact, from 1983-2001, Auburn won nine of 10 games Between the Hedges. UGA has since won two of three in Athens.
-These two squads have played 111 games against each other but are separated in the series by just 49 points. UGA leads the all-time scoring 1747-1698.
-Georgia OL coach Stacy Searels played at Auburn from 1984-1987 while DT coach Rodney Garner played on the Plains from 1984-1988.
-Blair Walsh and AU kicker Wes Byrum are tied for the SEC lead in FG percentage making 92.9% of their attempts.
-UGA punter Drew Butler continues to lead the SEC with a 49.2 yard average per punt, more than five yards ahead of his closest SEC competition.
INJURIES
-AJ Green will start today for Georgia after missing the Tenn Tech game with a bruised lung.
-DE Justin Houston is probable for UGA with an elbow injury.
-LB Adam Herring, RB Onterio McCalebb, and DB Drew Cole are Questionable for te game today for Auburn.
-UGA TE Bruce Figgins has been redshirted for the season after being suspended for the first six games of the year.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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