Auburn vs. Georgia: Grading the Tigers' Loss to the Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs came into their home game against the Auburn Tigers scorching hot. There may have not of been a better team with two losses in the country.

Yet, many "experts" thought it would be a close game (Lee Corso, Desmond, Herby). Well, when the game hit triple zero's it was not a memorable game for Auburn. 

I grade the team and try to make some positive enlightenment despite the 45-7 beat down. 

Rush Defense

The Georgia Bulldogs offensive line is among the top units in all of college football, but they were still without one of their top runners in Richard Samuel IV.

Plus, Isiah Crowell was just coming back from a one game suspension. Many say Crowell got a much needed week off due to the butt whooping you take in the SEC, but the Bulldogs flat out gashed the Auburn rush defense.

There was nothing they could do, allowing 304 yards to mainly two backs. Crowell ran for 132 yards and Thomas eclipsed 100 with 127 of his own.

Even in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs were unstoppable as they physically beat down the Auburn defense.

The longest play of the day on the ground was just 27 yards by Thomas. If Auburn wants to have any shot at knocking off their much hates rivals, they better shore up that defensive front seven. 

Grade: F

Rush Offense

At least the Tigers found some room to run since the rush defense had quite the brutal game. Michael Dyer ran 13 times for 48 yards and Onterrio McCalebb found 30 yards on just five carries.

The team ran it 25 times for a combined 51 yards, and they struggled almost as much as the defense did at stopping it. It should be noted just how great this Georgia Bulldogs team is playing right now. They very well could upset LSU in the SEC Championship (UGA must beat UK and LSU needs to beat ARK).

However, the Tigers could not get any sort of push up front. They were bullied for four quarters and it was just one of those games where you have to credit the opposition.

Grade: D+

Passing Offense

The quarterback play has still been a bit disappointing, but after losing Cam Newton there had to be some sort of drop off. Clint Moseley struggled completing half of his 22 passes for just 140 yards. 

He had a no touchdowns and his lone interception was taken back to the house by Bacarri Rambo. The Tigers were really outnumbers in this one and though the expectations were a big high for this Tigers team, they can still get to a bowl game and find a way to end the season on a good note.

That may seem like pure bull, but it is tough to look at many positives when your team gets blasted for four quarters. Remaining relevant and understanding that Auburn football is still in a solid position is what the end all result is.

The team has taken its fair share of lumps this year to the likes of LSU, Arkansas and now Georgia, but there will be a silver lining in the near future.

Grade: C-

Special Teams

Auburn only forced one punt from the Bulldogs, but Steven Clark did a nice punting for the Tigers.

He averaged a 41 net per punt and who knows how much uglier it could have been had it not been for solid special teams.

The kick and punt return coverage did not have many opportunities since there were a few fair catches by both teams.

Auburn did not attempt a field goal, but something tells me they will need to make a few big kicks against the Crimson Tide in a few weeks.

Grade: B

Overall

Overall, the game was ugly but the Auburn Tigers simply ran into a better team. Who can stop this Georgia Bulldogs team may be the biggest question. They should be on a collision course with the LSU Tigers in the Atlanta Georgia Dome.

Auburn can still get to the seven win plateau going into their bowl game. In some quick notes both Auburn and Georgia forced two fumbles. However, the game-changing emphatic play was the clearly the pick six by Bacarri Rambo which gave them a 28-7 lead. 

The Tigers get a quick tune up against a different Bulldogs squad in Samford before they host the Alabama Crimson Tide in their annual Iron Bowl.

Grade: D+