Georgia Football: Playoff hopes rest on critical road matchup with Auburn

Georgia football travels to “The Plains” to take on the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here’s a preview, prediction and how to watch.

The Georgia Bulldogs travel to Auburn in hopes of keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Auburn looks to cause a bit of chaos with an upset of the Bulldogs.

Few people know that this is the oldest rivalry played in the deep south. This is the 124th meeting between the Tigers and Bulldogs. Auburn’s played Georgia more times than they’ve played Alabama. This game has heavy implications that could ripple through the entire College Football Playoff.

The Bulldogs sit at No. 4 in the playoff rankings, and look to get into the top-four by running the table including winning the SEC Championship.

The Tigers look to put a lot on the committee’s mind by pulling the upset here, and against Alabama in the Iron Bowl. This one promises to be a slug-fest with both squads boasting stiffing defenses.

Here’s more information about the game:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Auburn, Ala.
Venue: Jordan-Hare Stadium
TV: CBS
Live Stream: CBS All-Access

Keys to Victory

This game comes down simply to which team can drive the ball against the opponents defense. Georgia has the best unremarkable defense in the country. They don’t have the star pass rusher, run stuffer or defensive back. They come out and say, “I dare you to drive 80 yards on 12 plays against us.” Teams usually can’t.

On the other side of the field, the Auburn defensive line might be the best in college football. Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is going to find it hard to run against that Tiger front. Just from the numbers you might think Georgia could have some offensive success against Auburn, but the Tigers have played the tougher opponents.

The battle in the trenches is worth the price of admission, but this game will be won on the arm of Auburn quarterback Bo Nix or Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm.

Prediction

First of all, the over/under is generous. This is going to be a physical, hard-hitting war. Georgia has the advantage at quarterback, but this game is in Auburn and funky things happen at Jordan-Hare. This is also “get-got” season. Auburn might not get both Alabama and Georgia, but they’ll get one; they get Georgia this weekend.

Final Score: Auburn 17, Georgia 14