Auburn vs. Georgia: Can the Tigers Stifle the Bulldogs Hunt for a Title?

The No. 20 Auburn Tigers travel to Athens, GA to face the No. 15 Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday. The Tigers are heading into the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” with the opportunity to halt the Bulldogs championship aspirations.

The Bulldogs have battled their way back from two early season losses to become a strong contender in the SEC East. They play ferociously on defense and efficiently on offense. The Bulldogs will have every intent to avenge the loss from last season and earn a ticket to the SEC Championship game.

So what can the Tigers do to pull the upset and walk out from between the hedges with a victory? First, the Tigers must attack the Georgia offense with multiplicity in its blitz packages and mix its coverage in the secondary to create confusion.

Stopping the Bulldogs Offense

Georgia has a host of offensive playmakers in Aaron Murray, Orson Charles, Isaiah Crowell and Malcom Mitchell. The Bulldogs are likely to feed Crowell early in hopes that attacking the young defensive line will open up the play action.

Murray has been effective and efficient this season, producing 23 touchdowns through the air and tossing only eight interceptions. He has the ability to take over a game with his arm and has a surrounding cast that can assist in the takeover.

Murray is likely to lean on Orson Charles in this game to fill voids in the middle third of the Auburn defense. Auburn has been porous at times when the linebackers have to fall into coverage, setting the stage for Charles to have a big game on Saturday.

The Bulldogs will also hope that Malcom Mitchell will return from injury this week, helping the 'Dawgs stretch the field and attack the Tigers downfield. Auburn has played well in the secondary this season, but they have given up more than their share of big plays.

Auburn’s answer to the weapons that Georgia brings to the table begins with a backfield presence. The Tigers need to find their way to the quarterback early and often in this contest to halt the air attack of Georgia.

The Tigers will bring the nickel back off of the edge at times to add pressure and will use corner blitzes often as well. Keeping the Georgia offense on their heels is a must.

Auburn must also have a solid plan to meet Crowell in the gaps and not let go. Auburn’s biggest gaffes this season have been missed tackles on running backs. Crowell will make the Tigers miss often if they don’t keep their heads up and drive through their target.

If Auburn can keep their focus and not blow one on one coverage deep, they should be in great position to stop the Bulldogs offense. The Tigers quality of play has increased as the season has progressed, but whether they are at the level to stop the Bulldogs offense consistently enough to win remains to be seen.

Attacking the Bulldogs Defense

Auburn will bring its offense to Athens with hopes that the sparks will finally ignite the fire for the offense. Auburn has been very limited in its explosiveness so far, but the Tigers have the talent to make that change.

Georgia also has its fair share of able bodies to bring to the contest. Jarvis Jones has been a lightning bolt on defense this season, plowing his way to the top of the sack list in the SEC. Bacarri Rambo leads the SEC in interceptions and will be hunting in the secondary for the Bulldogs.

Auburn will be playing a tough defensive front as well, one of the better in the SEC. Auburn has had a tough time being aggressive on the line this season and any lack of tenacity this week will end with horrible results for the offense.

Auburn started Clint Moseley for the first time in his career against LSU earlier this season. Needless to say it was a tough first outing for the sophomore quarterback. He still managed to complete 60 percent of his passes but was never really a threat to take over the game.

Against Ole Miss, Moseley was more than effective completing 80 percent of his passes and throwing four touchdowns. He isn’t likely to have that great of a day against Georgia, but he has to be a part of the game plan if the Tigers want to win.

Moseley has to be careful with his throws with guys like Bacarri Rambo in the secondary. Finding crossing routes and screens will be one of the more effective ways to attack the defense. Play action should be hitting as well as Georgia will key on the rushing attack early.

Auburn will also likely use Michael Dyer to bruise the Georgia defense, but the likelihood is that Georgia will key on the sophomore back. Look for McCalebb to increase his touches this week on sweeps and screens.

McCalebb has become the second leading pass catcher for the Tigers this season and has the opportunity to be very effective in this game on the reverse sweep. Georgia has a very good defense that relies on speed and reaction to plow through opposing offenses. If Auburn can get the Bulldogs to over pursue, they will find rushing lanes on the outside with McCalebb.

Can the Tigers stop the Bulldogs' Title Run?

The Tigers walk into the game Saturday as a 13-point underdog to Georgia. The Tigers have had a tough time this season finding continuity on offense but will need to find it for this game. The Tigers face a tough test but have all the cards to pull the upset and halt Georgia's championship dreams.

The Tigers defense will also need to have a big day. They will be facing one of the more effective offenses in the conference that will take advantage of big play opportunities. Auburn has to stay with their assignments and play the right gaps proficiently to stop the Bulldogs.

This is one of the best rivalry games every year in the SEC and this year will not disappoint. This game is likely to stay close throughout the game and come down to the final seconds. Expect a great showing for the 115th meeting between the Tigers and the Bulldogs.