Georgia and Auburn first played in 1892 and since then they’ve locked horns 114 times. How close has this rivalry been? Auburn leads the all-time series by two games but Georgia has actually scored more points. Since Mark Richt took over at Georgia, the momentum has swung slightly towards the Dawgs as Georgia has won six of the last ten and four of the last five. This year both teams come in with a lot on the line. For Georgia, it’s a shot at the SEC Championship Game and a date with Les Miles and LSU. For Auburn, it’s about pride, strengthening it’s profile for the bowls and continuing to build with it’s young team. I’ve already said my piece on this game in our Week 11 SEC Predictions column. In this rivalry we like to keep our friends close and our enemies closer so we talked with our frenemy Tom Blaz from The Recruiting Eagle to get his take on Auburn’s young team and how they match up with Georgia.
We’ve all heard this year how Auburn’s has a very young team. In what areas have you seen the most growth for this young team throughout the year?
The biggest growth has come in the defensive backfield, where back to back elite recruiting classes have populated the position with top notch talent. Early on the group was tentative, but over the course of eight games has shown a great deal of growth. The veteran of the group, senior Neiko Thorpe moved from corner to safety, so its been a learning experience for him as well.
A strength of Auburn this year has been the running game as they are second in the SEC averaging 191 yards per game. On the other side, Georgia is also very good against the run allowing just 90 yards per game. What does Auburn need to do to establish the run against Georgia?
If Auburn cannot throw the ball against Georgia, the running game will go nowhere. We saw against LSU that Auburn was unable to stretch the field, giving LSU the opportunity to play eight in the box. Auburn will have its starting receivers, Emory Blake and Trovon Reed, in the starting lineup together for the first time this season. Both have been hampered by injury, but have been practicing all week. Their presence makes all the difference in allowing offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to present a balance attack.
Which players need to step up for Auburn in order for them to win this game?
Clint Moseley will have to take another step in his role as Auburn’s starting quarterback. In just his third start, the second on the road in a hostile environment, Moseley will have to provide leadership for the young Tigers. As mentioned, having Blake and Reed to target will make things much easier. Tight End Philip Lutzenkirchen was huge a year ago in the Georgia game, with two touchdowns in the red zone. UGA is very wary of Lutzenkirchen’s penchant for finding the end zone. Why is this important? It will allow Michael Dyer running room, which is the key to the Auburn offense.
Who are the players Auburn most needs to stop for Georgia?
As in any SEC contest, the team that can stop the run has the upper hand. After a one week suspension, Georgia gets their two top runners back and will make every effort to establish the running game. With the success that Aaron Murray had last week, Auburn must force Georgia into second and eight, third and six in must pass situations. If Georgia is able to sustain a running game, and use the play action, it will be a very long afternoon for the Tigers.
In what areas do you see Auburn as having a specific advantage over Georgia in this game?
You would have never thought it possible, but as it stands, I believe Auburn has an advantage in the kicking game. Auburn sophomore kicker Cody Parkey is second in the nation in touchbacks which is crucial in the field position war. Parkey has only missed three field goals this season, all coming in excess of 40 yards. Punter Steven Clark has also been a weapon. Nominated as a candidate for the Ray Guy award, Clark has been getting hang time that an NFL punter would be proud of. Auburn also has the edge at running back with the duo off Dyer and Onterrio McCalebb. Auburn may have to throw to set up the run. The balance of Dyer inside and McCalebb outside, especially when Frazier is in the game can be explosive.
What is your confidence level in the QB position at Auburn right now?
Clint Moseley certainly is not lacking in confidence. Moseley was very upset when Barrett Trotter was named the starting quarterback out of summer practice. LSU was certainly a learning experience, but Moseley had great success in the second half against Florida and last week against Ole Miss. True Freshman Kiehl Frazier will also be an important factor in the game. Frazier has played more and more each week, and as Malzahn adds more of the passing game when he is in the lineup, we may see the explosive play that made Frazier the Gatorade National Offensive player of the year in high school.
GIve us a few keys for Auburn that need to go their way in order for them to win this game.
Like last season, Auburn has a tendency to get behind and play catch up. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof has made a living the last year and a half making adjustments allowing Auburn to play catch up. Without the fire power of last season’s offense, the Tigers are not as comfortable playing from behind. Auburn needs to control the line of scrimmage, stop the run and establish Dyer. This will allow Moseley to successfully use play action pass and keep the chains moving. Much is at stake for Georgia and I expect the crowd to be hostile. Taking the crowd out of the game, like was done at South Carolina, is of upmost importance.
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