AUBURN—Coming off a loss to No. 21 Oklahoma a week ago, Auburn is searching for its first win in Athens, Ga. since 2005 in the 129th edition of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry between Georgia and Auburn on Saturday.
Here are the biggest things to watch for in Saturday’s game:
How will both teams respond after last week?
Both squads are coming off emotional losses a week ago. Auburn had the game all but won until the final five minutes of play, and Georgia suffered a heartbreaking loss in Tuscaloosa in a game that came down to the wire.
Georgia came back from a 28-point deficit in the first half and could be riding the momentum they created in the second half of that contest. Auburn played its most complete game of the season and is looking to build off that performance.
Will the Tigers run into an angry Georgia squad on Saturday, or will the Tigers have an opportunity to strike an early blow to a flat Bulldogs squad?
Can Auburn rattle Carson Beck?
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck turned the ball over four times against the Tide last week and threw a game-sealing interception on the last drive. Beck finished the game with 439 yards through the air and aired it out 50 times - the most a Georgia team has thrown the ball under Kirby Smart.
Auburn’s secondary has been a glaring struggle among the defense this season and is looking thin after cornerback Champ Anthony went out with a season ending leg injury a few weeks ago. The Tigers have only forced four turnovers all season and will need to increase that number on Saturday if they want a chance at an upset.
Payton Thorne
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne is coming off an exceptional performance, despite the pick-six in the latter half of the game last week. Thorne turned in a 338-yard performance and added three touchdowns through the air.
He has developed quite the connection with transfer wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith this season, as Lambert-Smith has accounted for six of Thorne’s 10 touchdowns thus far.
Can Thorne continue to be the leader the offense needs? He will need to eliminate the costly turnovers and prove to be the game manager Hugh Freeze is looking for out of the quarterback on Saturday to give Auburn its best chance at a victory.
Coaching and play calling
Hugh Freeze left a lot to be desired on the field last Saturday in the loss to Oklahoma, and he mentioned earlier in the week that he regrets some of the decisions he made.
Auburn missed on an earlier scoring opportunity early in the game when it got down to the Oklahoma one-yard line, and Freeze called a pass play on Thorne’s pick-six, wishing he would have milked the clock and punted the Sooners back deep.
There won’t be room for any regrets in Saturday’s matchup from Freeze if he wants to upset the Bulldogs on their home turf.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and will be aired on ABC.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email logan.fowler@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning
