Here are the three things that I’m NOT worried about Saturday:
1. Daniel Carlson. He might the best kicker in college football, or dang close to it. He’s tied for 2nd in the FBS with 2.2 FG/game, he’s a Lou Groza award finalist, unanimous all SEC, 97 straight PATs, 16 straight FGs, 20-22 FGs this season, punted and kicked for Auburn his freshman year, and he’s 6’4” and 218 lbs.
But he’s not Rodrigo RecSpecs.
2. The 4th Quarter. It’s hard to believe, but Georgia’s best scoring quarter has been the 4th. Comebacks against Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky have a lot to do with that, and it just seems we get warmed up right when the clock starts winding down. The good news is that Auburn’s lowest scoring quarter is, you guessed it… the 4th.
3. The backup Auburn Running Back. I’ll worry about SEC leading rusher Kamryn Pettaway in a bit, but I want to talk about my favorite Tiger, #21. The official roster says he hails from Madison, Alabama, though I personally think Kerryon “My Wayward” Johnson is actually a native of Kansas. I wish the Auburn SID would right this wrong, and give him peace when he is done. This charade is the event of the season.
Here are the three things that I AM worried about Saturday:
1. Streaking. No, not that thing Mr. Sanchez does after seeing Derek Ogbeide throw down tomahawks Dominique-style. I’m talking about a period of repeated success. Or failure.
Auburn comes to town riding a 6 game winning streak. After losing the first two of three, they escaped Baton Rouge with a W and have been riding high ever since. I don’t care for this streak.
Then there is our home winning streak versus Auburn. The Whatevs from the Plains haven’t defeated Georgia in Sanford Stadium since 2005. I like trucks, and I like this streak.
With a vaunted pass rush against a “challenged” Georgia offensive front 5, I have serious concern the former may survive the latter.
2. The first 15 minutes. Auburn has feasted in the opening quarter, scoring 90 points in their 9 contests to date (especially considering they are not a quick-strike offense). Say what you will, but the Bus has the script down pat and the Eagle (?) offense executes at lightning speed during the first few drives. At one point against Vanderbilt, Auburn averaged only 10 seconds of clock burn between downs. That is fast, my friends.
My main concern is attempting any sort of preparation against that kind of tempo. We’ve played up-tempo teams all season, but I am worried about withstanding that barrage coming out of the gates. The Georgia defense has made strides this season and will be sorely tested in conditioning and focus well before sunset against this HUNH.
3. Homecoming. There are 36 players on the Auburn roster who hail from the state of Georgia. I won’t get into specifics, but Malzahn Inc. does very well on the eastern side of the Chattahoochee. (Surprisingly not that many players from the Columbus area.) Many of these boys grew up watching Mark Richt call plays for Matthew Stafford. And though they might have cashed the Auburn check signed the scholarship paperwork for the University of Auburn (snicker), they did not forget where they came from. Those Tigers born in the State of Georgia should be plenty amped up to play Between The Hedges and show up for family and friends.
Oh, and then there’s Tray Matthews in his first return to Athens since 2013. Is it surprising that he only has two passes broken up, and zero interceptions? Sadly no, it is not.
What are the things that worry you about the Plainsmen? Put them in the comments below, and as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!!