Auburn vs. Georgia: Game Grades, Analysis for Tigers and Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs evened the all-time series record with a 34-7 win over the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, but more importantly they kept their SEC Championship hopes alive.

Auburn, a team that seemed poised to compete for a conference championship not long ago, scored early but then stalled out completely on offense and had no answer for Georgia's ground attack.

Here are complete game grades for both teams as well as analysis detailing how Georgia gained such a decisive advantage on Saturday.

Position Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Passing Offense	C	C
Rushing Offense	C	D
Pass Defense	D	C+
Run Defense	C	D
Special Teams	D	B
Coaching	C	C

Auburn Tigers Grade Analysis

Passing Offense

Auburn is not known as a prolific passing offense, but the efforts of the Tigers were particularly nondescript in the first half against Georgia. Quarterback Nick Marshall was constantly under pressure and threw several high balls to open receivers while passing for just 62 yards.

In the second half, Marshall seemed sharper, but his receivers struggled to haul in passes. As a result, the passing attack was ineffective in getting Auburn back in the game.

Rushing Offense

While 96 first-half rushing yards is nothing to scoff at, it certainly was not the type of performance that is expected out of Gus Malzahn's offense.  The run was extremely effective on the Tigers' opening drive, but it flamed out as the first half wore on.

When all was said and done, Auburn finished the day with a meager 150 rushing yards.

Pass Defense

Auburn's pass defense was less stout than the statistics indicated in the first half. Georgia dropped several passes that would have resulted in big gains. In the second half, the pass defense was better, but Georgia did not seem set on establishing the pass.

Run Defense

Auburn did a nice job of containing Todd Gurley in the first half, but freshman Nick Chubb had a great opening two quarters, racking up 67 yards on just seven carries.

Auburn had very few answers against the Bulldogs' ground attack. Gurley and Chubb both finished with more than 135 rushing yards, and more than any other shortcoming, the Tigers' inability to slow them down kept them out of the game.

Special Teams

Auburn gave Georgia an extra possession and ultimately seven points by muffing a punt. It later extended a drive that yielded a field goal with a roughing the punter penalty.

Coaching

In the first half, Malzahn and his staff were out-coached by Georgia. Even with a slew of on-field mistakes, Georgia found a way to gain and maintain control.

Malzahn vowed (per the ESPN broadcast) to open the offense up in the second half, but that didn't happen. Simultaneously, his defense continued to bend and break.

Position Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Passing Offense	C-	C
Rushing Offense	B-	A
Pass Defense	B	B
Run Defense	B	B
Special Teams	C	B
Coaching	B	A

Georgia Bulldogs Grade Analysis

Passing Offense

Georgia's passing offense was stellar in the first half, but its receiving offense was atrocious. Hutson Mason threw several pretty deep balls, but Georgia targets failed to haul them in. Dropped passes kept points off the board on several occasions.

As the game progressed, the passing attack became less viable as Georgia's primary objective was to eat clock.

Rushing Offense

Gurley's return was relatively anticlimactic in the first half, but he was solid on the ground and demonstrated tremendous patience and toughness. Both he and Chubb were on pace for 100-yard days at halftime. They both comfortably eclipsed that mark and Georgia ran for a total of 289 yards on the day.

Pass Defense

Georgia's pass defense was fantastic thanks in no small party to intense pressure throughout the first half. It was also nice to see the Bulldogs prevent a Hail Mary touchdown as the first half expired.

In the second half, the pass defense gave a little more ground, but ultimately that was acceptable as Georgia remained tough against the run.

Run Defense

Georgia's defense wasn't constantly great, but it was consistently good enough to keep Auburn's offense from gaining any momentum in the first half. Auburn had some success, but Georgia remained disciplined and swarmed with fervor.

In the second half, Georgia was even more impressive against the run as Auburn desperately came up short time and time again.

Special Teams

A game-opening kickoff return was negated, but other than that, Georgia's special teams play was stellar. Kick coverage was fine, field goals and extra points were clean, and the Dawgs even recovered a muffed punt.

Coaching

Head coach Mark Richt had Georgia prepared not only to win but to control the game. Despite giving up a score on the game's opening drive, Georgia did just that in the first half.

The story for the second half was equally positive as all three phases of the game hit their stride for Georgia and the Bulldogs embarrassed a highly touted rival.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of NCAA.com.