Auburn (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at No. 2 Georgia (5-0, 2-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Line: Georgia by 29 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Georgia leads 62-56.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Georgia will try to regain its momentum after trailing through most of last week’s 26-22 win at Missouri and also failing to impress in a 39-22 victory over Kent State the previous week. The Bulldogs fell from the top spot in the AP Top 25. Georgia suddenly is showing it will be difficult to match the standard it set while winning the national championship last season. Auburn, one week after escaping with an overtime win over Missouri, led by 17 points against LSU before losing 21-17 last week. Coach Bryan Harsin is 9-9 in his second season and facing pressure to prove he can compete against the nation’s top teams. The Tigers already have an ugly 41-12 loss to Penn State this season and can’t afford a similar showing in the SEC rivalry. Georgia has won the last five games in the series.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia WRs vs. Auburn secondary. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said immediately after last week’s win over Missouri it was crucial for the Bulldogs to get their wide receivers healthy. Adonai Mitchell has missed three consecutive games with an ankle injury. Arian Smith, returned from an ankle injury to have one catch last week. Quarterback Stetson Bennett needs more passing opportunities for his wide receivers to keep Auburn’s defense from focusing on stopping running backs Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Auburn: QB Robby Ashford has become Auburn’s biggest playmaker as a runner and passer since taking over the starting job after T.J. Finley’s shoulder injury. Ashford, who will be making his first road start, has thrown three interceptions and had fumbling issues.
Georgia: TE Darnell Washington. Brock Bowers has received attention as one of the nation’s top tight ends, the 6-foot-7, 270-pound Washington has 10 catches for 184 yards and is a powerful blocker. Washington is a nightmare for defensive backs when he has the ball in the open field.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Tigers have scored just six points in the second half against their three Power 5 opponents. Auburn was shut out in the second half against Missouri and LSU. … This is the latest Auburn has played its first road game since traveling to Mississippi State on Oct. 8, 2016. … Auburn kicker Anders Carlson has missed his last two field-goal attempts of 40-plus yards. … Bulldogs senior PK Jake Podlesny leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the nation with 58 points, 11.6 per game. … Bennett has passed for more than 300 yards in three of five games this season. He reached that mark in only two games last season. … Georgia leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the nation with its average of 10.8 points allowed, despite giving up 22 points in back-to-back games.
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