Behind Enemy Lines: A look at the matchup from a Georgia Bulldogs expert

The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry hasn't been friendly to Auburn lately.

Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers will do everything to change that this Saturday when the Georgia Bulldogs come to Jordan Hare Stadium.

Auburn is coming off of a tough loss to Texas A&M and are trying to find that first SEC win of the Freeze era on the Plains.

We spoke with Ben Wolk of Dawgs247. Wolk covered Auburn recruiting for several years before finding himself on the Georgia beat. So if anyone can speak on this rivalry and matchup from the Georgia side of things, it's Wolk.

Let's get to his answers.

What is the feeling around this matchup from the Georgia side of things?

The biggest question is: How does Georgia respond in its first road test of the season? Results haven’t been perfect at times in the new Mike Bobo-Carson Beck era, so I think this week is viewed as an opportunity to find out what this team actually is.

Georgia’s offense has started slow this season. How big of a factor is that for Saturday’s matchup?

It only becomes a factor if the defense also starts slow. This Georgia offense has plenty of explosiveness — more than last year, in my opinion — so it’s a matter of not letting a slow offensive start keep the Jordan-Hare faithful hanging around. I personally think Georgia’s so-called slow starts have been a little bit exaggerated because of the unrealistic expectation of perfection.

Who is a Georgia player that Auburn fans should know that may be flying under the radar?

The obvious name is Mekhi Mews because he’s a walk-on who will probably make a play or two in the return game. Aside from him, I’d say Mississippi State transfer WR Rara Thomas who’s seen his role increase the last two weeks or defensive back Tykee Smith who has three INTs through four weeks in a defensive backfield where you might hear other names more often.

If Auburn were to pull the upset, what do you think happens?

Anytime Georgia has played close games in the Kirby Smart era, two things have been present. One, Georgia has turned the ball over. Two, Georgia’s defense has given up touchdowns in uncharacteristic situations. We don’t know what to expect from Carson Beck in his first road start, so if Auburn were to pull this off, I think Beck had a really tough go of things — which isn’t how I expect the game to unfold.

Who wins?

Georgia wins 30-14

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