First look: Top story lines, betting odds for UGA vs Auburn 2020 football game
Georgia’s season got off to an uneven, but ultimately successful start on Saturday with a 37-10 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Now the Bulldogs turn around and renew one of their oldest rivalries this week when Auburn comes to Athens. The top-10 matchup provides a steep test to Kirby Smart’s team that has plenty of questions after the season opener.
Georgia vs. Auburn game, TV info
Who: Georgia (1-0) vs. Auburn (1-0)
Where: Sanford Stadium in Athens
When: 7:30 pm Saturday
TV: ESPN
Vegas odds: Georgia-Auburn and SEC point spreads
South Carolina at Florida (-21.5), noon (ESPN)
Missouri at Tennessee (-10), noon (SEC Network)
Texas A&M at Alabama (-17.5), 3:30 pm (CBS)
Ole Miss at Kentucky (-7), 4 pm (SEC Network)
Auburn at Georgia (-7), 7:30 pm (ESPN)
Arkansas at Mississippi State (-17), 7:30 pm (SEC Network Alternate)
LSU (-19.5) at Vanderbilt, 7:30 pm (SEC Network)
Who will start at quarterback for UGA?
Saturday’s season opener provided little clarity in Georgia’s quarterback situation.
Redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis got the start, but his early struggles led to junior Stetson Bennett IV being inserted into the game. Bennett played well in relief, completing 20-of-29 passes for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Smart said the quarterback situation will be evaluated during this week of practice. That’s not ideal under normal circumstances, but especially not when a top-10 Auburn team is heading to Athens next week.
Will Bennett make his first career start? Will Mathis get another chance? Will it end up being J.T. Daniels, the talented Southern Cal transfer who was final cleared for contact after recovering from a torn ACL?
The world will find out next Saturday night.
Can the Bulldogs defense keep it up vs. Auburn?
While the offense had plenty of difficulties, Georgia’s touted defense largely lived up to the billing.
The Bulldogs nabbed three interceptions, two by senior safety Richard LeCounte and one by junior Eric Stokes that turned into a 30-yard touchdown after a return. The unit also forced eight 3-and-outs, stifling the Razorbacks offense and allowing the offense to eventually get it going.
Next week brings a steeper challenge in Auburn. The Tigers had their own struggles moving the ball against Kentucky on Saturday, but they have all the talent and schematics to make things difficult on the Georgia defense.
If the Bulldogs continue to have problems offensively, the defense will need to maintain its exceptionally high level of play to keep the team in the game against the Tigers.
Will Georgia special teams continue to be a plus?
In his first game as special teams coordinator, Scott Cochran’s group had quite the presence in Fayetteville.
Sophomore running back Kenny McIntosh averaged 46 yards per kickoff return, setting up Georgia’s first touchdown with a runback to the Bulldog 43-yard line. Redshirt sophomore receiver Kearis Jackson netted 34 yards on two punt returns and had another called back due to penalty.
Junior punter Jake Camarda averaged a shade under 50 yards on seven punts. He also pinned Arkansas inside its own 10 four times in the first half, keeping the field position tilted in Georgia’s favor.
Add to these stats a blocked punt that set up a short touchdown drive, and the Bulldog special teams were nothing short of dominant in the season opener. If they can keep making plays to benefit the rest of the team, it will be a huge point in Georgia’s favor as it looks to sort out the new offense.
Three Auburn Tigers to watch
QB Bo Nix: Nix had a solid debut to his sophomore season against Kentucky, completing 16-of-27 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. He wasn’t perfect, but he has all the talent to pose problems against the Georgia secondary.
WR Anthony Schwartz: The speed of the junior Schwartz has become legendary in the SEC. Kentucky held him relatively in check, holding him to 40 yards on three receptions, but he can definitely explode for a huge play at any time.
DB Smoke Monday: One of the leaders of the Auburn secondary, Monday finished second on the team against Kentucky with 10 tackles. Whichever Georgia quarterback gets the start will have to be aware of where he is at all times.
This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 5:00 AM.