Auburn Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 5th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Both the University of Georgia and Auburn University are facing unfamiliar territory as they prepare for their Southeastern Conference game in Athens, Georgia on Saturday afternoon.

Georgia, with a record of 3-1 and 1-1 in the SEC, suffered their first regular season defeat since November 7, 2020, losing 41-34 to then-No. 4 ranked Alabama last weekend.

Despite making a comeback from a 28-0 deficit, Georgia ultimately lost due to a 75-yard touchdown pass from Alabama's Jalen Milroe with only 2:18 left in the game. This ended the Bulldogs' 42-game regular season winning streak, as well as their 28-game conference unbeaten streak, both of which were school and SEC records.

While the slow start to the game was disappointing for Georgia and their coach Kirby Smart, they cannot dwell on it as they prepare for the 2024 edition of the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry."

Smart stated, "I am proud of our resilience to come back, but as proud as I am of that, I am just as disappointed with our start. However, we must focus on Auburn, who is a very talented team. Their record may not reflect it, but it does not accurately represent their abilities."

Georgia is hoping for a more consistent performance from quarterback Carson Beck, who struggled in the beginning of the Alabama game but ended up passing for 439 yards and three touchdowns. However, he also threw three interceptions and lost a fumble in the fourth quarter.

Beck acknowledged, "We played terribly in the first half. We do not even need to watch the film to know that we did not play our best. It starts with me, I need to improve."

On the other side, Auburn has a record of 2-3 and 0-2 in the SEC, their worst start through five games since 2012 when they finished the season 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the SEC.

Most recently, Auburn lost 27-21 to then-No. 21 ranked Oklahoma, despite having an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and outgaining the Sooners 482-291.

The Tigers have struggled with turnovers this season, with quarterbacks Payton Thorne and Hank Brown combining for nine interceptions.

This issue was evident in their game against Oklahoma, as Thorne threw a pick-six to Kip Lewis, giving the Sooners the game-winning score with only 4:06 left in the game.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze expressed, "Saturday was painful. It hurt our players, our staff, and I am sure it hurt our amazing fans who have been incredibly supportive during our five home games this season. Our fans have done their part, and it is difficult to accept not being 5-0. We are judged by our results, and it is my responsibility to bring success to this program and restore its glory."

One positive for Auburn has been their defense, which has only allowed an average of 18.8 points per game. They will face a tough challenge against a Georgia offense that put up 519 yards against Alabama.

Freeze noted, "There are many positives to take from our performance. We have done some really good things that I hope we can carry over as we prepare for the top-ranked team in Georgia. We cannot let the pain of losing a game that we should have won linger for too long."

PREDICTION

Auburn Tigers

Georgia Bulldogs

Auburn Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs Recap OCT 5TH 2024

ATHENS, Ga. -- Carson Beck completed 23 of 29 passes for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns as No. 5 Georgia beat visiting Auburn 31-13 in Southeastern Conference play on Saturday.

Trevor Etienne rushed for a team-high 88 yards and two scores, helping the Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 SEC) bounce back from last week's loss to then-No. 4 Alabama.

Payton Thorne completed 16 of 27 passes for 200 yards, as Auburn (2-4, 0-3) dropped its third straight game and its eighth straight against Georgia. Jarquez Hunter rushed for a game-high 91 yards, adding a score on the ground. KeAndre Lambert-Smith tallied seven catched for 95 yards for the Tigers, who never led.

Trailing by 11, Auburn forced a Georgia three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half. Hunter then broke off a 38-yard touchdown run, cutting the Tigers' deficit to 14-10 with 9:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Georgia answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, which included a 27-yard pass to Colbie Young followed by Etienne's 21-yard run. The scoring drive was stamped with Etienne's 1-yard run with 3:50 left in the third quarter.

Following an Auburn turnover on downs, Georgia tacked on another score with 12:34 left in the fourth quarter, as Beck found Dillon Bell for a 3-yard passing touchdown, extending the Bulldogs lead to 28-10.

Towns McGough's 26-yard field goal trimmed the Tigers' deficit to 28-13, before Peyton Woodring's 47-yarder ended the game's scoring for Georgia with 1:50 left.

After forcing a punt on Auburn's first possession, Etienne stamped an 11-play, 75-yard Georgia scoring drive -- which was highlighted with Lawson Luckie's 33-yard catch -- with a 2-yard rushing score with 6:24 left in the first quarter.

McGough then capped the ensuing Auburn drive with a 27-yard field goal with 56 seconds left in the first.

Each team then saw their next two drives finish with a punt, before Etienne's 23-yard run advanced the Bulldogs' offense to the Auburn 17-yard line with 33 seconds left in the first half. After Etienne's 6-yard reception, Beck found Dominic Lovett for an 11-yard passing touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in the first half.

McGough lined up for a 54-yard field goal with one second remaining, but Dan Jackson blocked the attempt, and the Bulldogs led 14-3 at the half.