The #2 Georgia Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 SEC) host the Auburn Tigers (3-2, 1-1 SEC) in an SEC clash between East and West rivals on national television. Georgia, the defending national champions, are off to another hot start, while the Tigers head on the road for the first time this season.
Saturday’s kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. EST inside Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs are a 30-point favorite, and the over/under total is set at 49.0 points.
What to Know – Auburn Tigers
Auburn continues to try and find its identity under second-year head coach Bryan Harsin. Harsin has the Tigers sitting in a tie for fourth in a competitive SEC West division.
Bo Nix transferred to Oregon in the offseason, leaving a void at the quarterback position for the Tigers. T.J. Finley began the season as the starter, but a poor start allowed for Robby Ashford to take over. Ashford entered the game midway through the third week and took over the starting role.
On the ground, the starting role belongs to junior running back Tank Bigsby. Bigsby has carried the ball 69 times for 326 yards and four touchdowns. Backup rusher Jarquez Hunter has 34 rushes for 139 yards and four scores.
Five players have double-digit receptions, led by wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson with 16 receptions for 305 yards and a touchdown. LSU transfer Koy Moore is second on the team, grabbing ten receptions for 155 yards. Tight end John Samuel Shenker is a target in the Red Zone with 12 catches, including one touchdown.
What to Know – #2 Georgia Bulldogs
The pre-season No. 1 team in America survived a scare last week in Columbia with a comeback victory over the Tigers, 26-22. Georgia opened up the year with three-straight dominating victories but haven’t looked the same the last two weeks.
Stetson Bennett has done what he’s needed too as quarterback of the Bulldogs, completing nearly 70% of his passes. The former walk-on has five touchdown passes to only one interception and rushed four scores.
Three Georgia running backs are averaging 4.5 yards per carry or better through five weeks of action. Starting rusher Kendall Milton leads the way, averaging 6.5 yards per touch for 271 yards. Backups Daijun Edwards (5.5 yds) and Kenny McIntosh (4.5 yds) are two running backs that would be starters on just about any other college football team in America.
Sophomore tight end Brock Bowers has picked up right where he left off after a sensational freshman season, leading the Bulldogs in receiving. Bowers has caught 20 passes for 342 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey is right behind the tight end, securing twenty passes for 266 yards and a touchdown.
The Pick is In
You can never take a week off in the SEC, and this one pins two of college football’s bluebloods against each other. The Tigers can’t match the talent level of Georgia, but Auburn might have found something at the quarterback position. Georgia wins this one comfortably, but the Tigers keep it within four scores.
The Pick: Auburn Tigers +30
