The Red and Black sports editor Nick Fouriezos answers five questions regarding this week’s matchup against the Bulldogs
Who are Georgia’s key defensive players this weekend?
Pick your poison. Jarvis Jones is the obvious bet for a big game, but I’m going to go for one of the team’s less heralded players, sophomore cornerback Damian Swann. Swann, who has forced three fumbles, had two interceptions and two sacks in the last two games, has been much better than senior corner Branden Smith this season, despite his youth.
Key offensive players?
Todd Gurley will be essential to Georgia’s success. When the running game is running smoothly, the offense doesn’t force things and is able to control the clock. While quarterback Aaron Murray has proven he can win games with his arm, throwing for almost 400 yards last week and three touchdowns, the key to an Auburn upset would be to force some turnovers. If the Bulldogs are running well, there won’t be a desire to push the ball through the air, making ball security much easier.
Other than that, it will be interesting to see how sophomore wide receiver Chris Conley fares, as he is likely to replace the injured senior Marlon Brown. Brown was a physical specimen and highly touted, but never lived up to the hype. Meanwhile, people forget Conley had a very solid freshman year playing in a loaded receiving corps. With Michael Bennett gone as well, Conley will have a chance to show what he has to offer.
What does Georgia have to do to secure its second consecutive win against Auburn?
Get Murray going early. Murray is the epitome of the rhythm passer, so if you can get him warmed up on some smaller stuff to begin the game, then he should continue finding success throughout it. But if he throws a pick early, watch out — when it rains, it really pours for the Bulldog signal-caller.
What would a victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium mean for the Bulldogs?
A spot in the SEC Championship game. This isn’t just any other game — the Georgia-Auburn series is one of the most competitive and longstanding rivalries in college football, and the Bulldogs are only one game behind overall. But that being said, Auburn is clearly down this year. Losing to a team that doesn’t have a single SEC win this year would be a travesty, but it’s also highly unlikely. Auburn will come in to play the spoiler. But Georgia will come in as the heavy favorite, and I don’t see this game being a problem for them.
Georgia has at least two underwhelming performances this season. What are the chances the Bulldogs have another one this weekend?
Not likely. The stakes are high and, unlike the South Carolina game, the opponent isn’t nearly as talented. Games like this are won by coaching and by depth, two things which the Tigers are lacking at the moment. It will be close for the first quarter, maybe the first half. But Georgia just handled a strong Ole Miss offense, while ringing up 37 points. It would take a major collapse for the Bulldogs to even keep Auburn in this game.
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