Georgia vs Auburn: Keys to the Matchup as the Dawgs head to the Plains
The Bulldogs are set to head to the plains of Auburn, Alabama to take on the Tigers, in Jordan-Hare where the Tigers last put a twenty-three point beat down on the dawgs back in 2017.
Georgia has seen some crazy things inside of Jordan-Hare, like the famous "Tip Six" back in 2013 when Ricardo Louis caught the hail mary after Josh Harvey-Clemmons tips the ball into the air on 4th & 19 with under a 40 seconds to play.
Despite what some may believe when looking at a 59-56-8 series lead by Georgia, one would hypothesize that these games are traditionally close, but in the last ten years, there have been just two games decides by one score. So, as of late, one team dominates.
Here are the keys to the matchup:
Can the interior offensive line hold up vs Derrick Brown?
There are two players on the field in this game that are almost certain top-10 picks in April's NFL Draft, Derrick Brown & Andrew Thomas. Unfortunately, barring some type of slant or something crazy, we won't see that matchup. What we will see is countless double teams, and even some times triple teams, from the center and guards on Brown.
The other thing about Brown is, he's an absolute athletic freak at 6'5 320 lbs. On this play, Brown is running onto the field late, and Ole Miss just so happens to be running a swing pass into the boundary. Watch how natural Brown looks in space.
Great players like Brown will inevitably make a big play on Saturday, can Georgia ensure it's not a complete drive killer or turnover, as his plays so often are. Cade Mays and Solomon Kindley can absolutely hold up in my opinion, my concern would be with Trey Hill overall, and Ben Cleveland's ability to get movement on Brown in the run game.
UGA's WRs vs Man Coverage
LSU had a lot of success against Auburn on the outside with back-shoulder throws and go routes against the man to man coverage that Auburn almost exclusively runs. Lawrence Cager and George Pickens will both be primed and ready for this contest, though at this point Cager's shoulder status seems to be a play by play type of thing. Back shoulder throws and go routes are what Georgia's passing offense is predicated on. Can those two guys beat an experienced secondary group from Auburn?
QB, Bo Nix
Can Georgia's Defense Turn Bo Nix Over?
Gus Malzahn does not call offensive plays like he has a true freshman playing quarterback. I mean sure, there are a few quarterback protectors built-in there like 3rd & long drag routes to Anthony Schwartz, but for the most part on 3rd & medium, 3rd & long, Malzahn puts the ball in the hands of Bo Nix and asks him to make tight-window throws.
Under Kirby Smart, the Dawgs are 40-11. Five of those eleven losses are in games in which Georgia's defense fails to create a turnover. Nix has six interceptions on the year, and the Auburn offense has lost six fumbles on the season as well.
Will Georgia's DBs keep their eyes right?
Auburn's offense does a lot of window dressing with pre-snap motions, intricate formations, and they play with a quick-tempo as well to makes things that much harder. Along with all that disguise and camouflage, comes complex zone beaters. Georgia is typically a cover-4 team.
Auburn does a great job attacking zone defenses
The idea is to have a WR force one of the zone defenders to carry his route, while simultaneously slipping another target into the previously occupied zone held by the corner that now has to drive with the post route, as shown on the right side of the play. All while giving a heavy play-action run fake with pulling guards and the whole kit.
Will Auburn's second level defenders be able to hold up?
Auburn goes two deep on their defensive line, with 4 guys that are a shoo-in for Sunday playing time in the near future, but after that, there are typically 7 to 8 defenders on the field with strikingly similar body types. They are all about 5'11 200-220 pounds. From their freshman inside linebacker, Owen Pappoe to their Redshirt Senior corner, Javaris Davis, they are based on speed.
So, with Georgia being as committed to run-heavy looks as any team in the country, can Auburn's undersized linebackers and defensive backs shed blockers and get to the football?
