Auburn-Georgia: Inside the Numbers

Here's a look at how the two teams compare heading into their 112th meeting:

OFFENSE:

Georgia

22nd in Total Offense (436.8 yds/game) (#1 in SEC)

18th in Passing Offense (273.8 yds/game) (#1 in SEC)

48th in Rushing Offense (163.0 yds/game)

28th in Scoring Offense (32.6 pts/game)

Auburn

99th in Total Offense (316.2 yds/game)

99th in Passing Offense (199.3 yds/game)

61st in Rushing Offense (146.9 yds/game)

103rd in Scoring Offense (19.5 pts/game)

DEFENSE:

Georgia

28th in Total Defense (308.9 yds/game)

62nd in Pass Defense (206.3 yds/game)

13th in Rushing Defense (102.6 yds/game)

63rd in Scoring Defense (23.9 pts/game)

Despite these solid numbers, the Georgia defense is struggling right now. Their defense has allowed 38, 49, and 38 points over the last 3 games.

Auburn

26th in Total Defense (305.0 yds/game)

14th in Pass Defense (175.3 yds/game)

49th in Rushing Defense (129.7 yds/game)

13th in Scoring Defense (16.3 pts/game)

The defense has put up solid numbers, especially considering the ineptitude on offense. However, in order to help keep the pressure off this defense, the offense is going to have to score some points. I think special teams will have to be the catalyst that helps both the Auburn offense and Auburn defense. The defense needs a strong day from the Auburn punt team. Auburn ranks 1st in the SEC in net punting, and they make sure Georgia's offense consistently looks at a long field at the start of each possession. The offense needs a big day from Auburn's kick return unit. Auburn ranks 3rd in the nation in kick returns. Auburn's offense needs a short field as often as possible on Saturday.

Players to Watch:

When Georgia has the ball -

QB Matt Stafford - Stafford leads the conference in total offense (262.8 yds/game). He has a rocket for an arm, and this is both a good thing and a bad thing for the Auburn defense. Stafford will sometimes think he can thread the needle because of his arm strength, and that will lead to poor decisions and interceptions. Auburn's secondary will need to take advantage of these mistakes, either by scoring points on defense or setting up the Auburn offense with a short field.

RB Knowshon Moreno - Auburn must stop the run if they want to have any chance in this game. Moreno demolished the Tigers with 105 yards and 2 TD in 2007. Moreno has rushed for over 100 yards in 4 of his last 5 games, despite an offensive line down to just 7 healthy scholarship players.

WR A.J. Green - Green is just a true freshman, but like Alabama's Julio Jones, he has had an instant impact in Georiga's offense. Green leads the SEC in receiving yards per game (80.6). Green is also a tremendous deep threat, averaging roughly 20 yards per reception. Auburn must limit Georgia's big plays on offense, and that starts with blanket coverage of Green and Mohammed Massaquoi.

S Zac Etheridge - When your safety is the leading tackler (5.5 tackles/game), that's usually not a good sign. Etheridge will be busy again on Saturday. He must provide coverage help against Georgia's talented receivers, but he must also keep an eye on Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno (especially because middle linebacker Merrill Johnson will miss this game).

When Auburn has the ball -

Tristan Davis - Davis leads the SEC in kick returns, averaging almost 31 yards per return. If Auburn can score points on special teams, then they have a chance to pull the upset.

LB Renni Curran - Curran, only a sophomore, leads the Dawgs' defense in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks. So, Auburn might want to consider blocking this guy.

PK Wes Byrum - Byrum made 17 of 23 kicks as a freshman in 2007. This year, however, he's converted just 11 of 18 attempts. In fact, Byrum has missed at least one attempt in each of the 7 games where he has been called on to kick a field goal (Byrum did not attempt a field goal against LSU, Vanderbilt, or Ole Miss, although he did miss an extra point in the Vandy game). Byrum needs to have a perfect day against Georgia. The points are important, but the momentum lost after a missed field goal attempt would be huge to an Auburn team with a fragile psyche.

QB Kodi Burns - This needs to be Burns coming out party. Burns has accounted for 620 yards of offense the past two games (73% of Auburn's production). He has shown he can throw (319 yards vs. Ole Miss) and run (158 yards vs. UT-Martin) for big numbers. If Burns can put it all together and consitently move the chains, then Auburn has a very real chance to win this game. Auburn cannot be one-dimensional and hope to beat Georgia. Burns must spark the passing attack (despite the absence of WR Montez Billings), and the running back combo of Ben Tate and Brad Lester need to consistently grind out tough yards. Tate's production has severely dropped off in the 2nd half of the season. He has just 27 rushes in the past 4 games, averaging only 28.5 yards per game).