5 Ways Georgia Dominated Auburn

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The Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers have been rival schools in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for decades, with a long and storied history on the gridiron. The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, as it's known, has seen its fair share of thrilling matchups over the years, but some games stand out more than others. In this article, we'll examine five ways in which the Georgia Bulldogs dominated the Auburn Tigers in their matchups.

Game-Changing Defense

One of the primary reasons for Georgia's success against Auburn has been their stifling defense. The Bulldogs have consistently boasted one of the top defensive units in the country, and their games against Auburn have been no exception. In several matchups, the Georgia defense has shut down Auburn's high-powered offense, limiting them to paltry point totals and securing crucial victories for the Bulldogs.

In one notable example, the 2017 matchup between the two teams saw Georgia's defense hold Auburn to just 10 points, despite the Tigers averaging over 30 points per game that season. This dominant defensive performance was a major factor in the Bulldogs' 28-7 win, which helped propel them to the SEC Championship game.

Key Players

The Georgia defense has been led by several standout players over the years, including linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive back Deandre Baker, and defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter. These players, along with several others, have formed the backbone of the Bulldogs' defensive unit and have been instrumental in their success against Auburn.

Explosive Offense

While Georgia's defense has been the primary reason for their dominance over Auburn, their offense has also played a significant role. The Bulldogs have boasted some of the most explosive offenses in the country, with players like quarterback Jake Fromm, running back Nick Chubb, and wide receiver Terry Godwin leading the charge.

In several matchups against Auburn, Georgia's offense has erupted for big plays and significant point totals, putting the game out of reach for the Tigers. For example, in the 2018 matchup between the two teams, Georgia's offense scored 27 points in the first half alone, en route to a 27-10 win.

Statistical Advantage

The numbers bear out Georgia's dominance over Auburn on offense. In the last five matchups between the two teams, Georgia has averaged over 33 points per game, while Auburn has averaged just 17 points per game. This significant disparity in scoring has given Georgia a decisive advantage in the series.

Coaching Edge

Another key factor in Georgia's dominance over Auburn has been their coaching edge. Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has consistently outmaneuvered his Auburn counterparts, making key adjustments and calling crucial plays that have swung the game in Georgia's favor.

Smart's experience and expertise have given Georgia an edge in terms of game planning and in-game strategy, allowing the Bulldogs to outmaneuver the Tigers and secure victories.

Comparison to Auburn Coaches

In comparison to Auburn's coaches, Smart has been significantly more successful in the series. Since taking over as Georgia's head coach in 2016, Smart has led the Bulldogs to four wins over Auburn in five matchups. In contrast, Auburn coaches have struggled to find consistency against Georgia, with the Tigers' last win in the series coming in 2017.

Recruiting Advantage

Georgia's dominance over Auburn has also been fueled by their recruiting advantage. The Bulldogs have consistently brought in top-ranked recruiting classes, with many of their signees going on to become key contributors in the series.

In contrast, Auburn has struggled to keep pace with Georgia in terms of recruiting, which has limited their ability to compete with the Bulldogs on the field.

Recruiting Rankings

According to recruiting rankings, Georgia has consistently brought in top-10 classes, while Auburn has struggled to crack the top 20. This disparity in recruiting has given Georgia a significant advantage in terms of talent and depth, which has been reflected in their on-field performance against Auburn.

Home-Field Advantage

Finally, Georgia's dominance over Auburn has been aided by their home-field advantage. The Bulldogs have played the majority of their games against Auburn at Sanford Stadium, which has proven to be a significant advantage.

In their last five home games against Auburn, Georgia has won four times, with the only loss coming in 2013. This home-field advantage has given the Bulldogs a significant edge in the series, allowing them to feed off the energy of their crowd and secure victories.

Attendance and Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Sanford Stadium has been electric in games against Auburn, with over 92,000 fans packing the stands to cheer on the Bulldogs. This energetic crowd has created a hostile environment for Auburn, which has made it difficult for the Tigers to compete.

In contrast, Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium has not proven to be as intimidating for Georgia, with the Bulldogs winning two of their last three games on the road against the Tigers.

Now that we've explored five ways in which Georgia has dominated Auburn, we invite you to share your thoughts on the series. Have the Bulldogs' recent successes marked a turning point in the rivalry, or will Auburn be able to turn the tables in the near future? Let us know in the comments!