2017 NCAA Football SEC Championship Georgia vs Auburn: Preview and Prediction

WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000), Atlanta

RECORDS: No. 4 Auburn (10-2, 7-1), No. 6 Georgia (11-1, 7-1)

LINE: Auburn by 2 1/2

The Georgia Bulldogs get a huge do-over this Saturday against the Auburn Tigers. The Tigers took the Bulldogs to the woodshed three weeks ago with a convincing 40-17 beating. The Bulldogs were not physical enough to hang with the Tigers. Can this time be any different?

Who runs the ball better?

Georgia leads the SEC in rushing, so it was embarrassing for the Bulldogs to be held to 46 yards on 32 carries against the Tigers. Auburn countered with Kerryon Johnson, who had 32 carries and 167 of the Tigers’ 237 yards rushing. For Georgia to win the game they must have success running the ball. And really the same goes for Auburn as both teams can make it much easier on their quarterbacks with success on the ground. Maybe the most important thing with running the ball is the chance for the Bulldogs to prove that they can physically compete with the Tigers. If they can do that this game becomes a toss-up.

Kerryon Johnson injury?

Can tailback Kerryon Johnson be effective with his injured shoulder? For Auburn to be at their best Johnson has to have a good game and that probably depends on how healthy he is more than anything else.

Jarrett Stidham?

The key here will of course be the offensive line and if they dominate like last time then once again they will beat the Bulldogs. If Stidham goes off it will be a long night for the Bulldogs.

Special Teams

Auburn is the nation’s worst team among the 130 Football Bowl Subdivision programs at covering kick returns. The Tigers are allowing 28.2 yards per return, which is more than a yard worse than the 129th worst team in college football. They cannot afford a bad day on special teams. Auburn kicker Daniel Carson needs to kick the ball out of the endzone.

Prediction: I think the Bulldogs are taking this game personally and they are out to prove they are a physical team and I look for them to win a slug-fest. Remember Auburn is coming off a huge emotional win against rival Alabama.

Georgia 24  Auburn 23

 
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