Gus Malzahn: UGA Won’t be a Shock to Our System

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq5vaZg_nwo&feature=youtu.be 

AUBURN - Auburn coach Gus Malzahn says that the Tigers are getting ready to face "one of the most-talented teams in the country."

Gus Malzahn transcript

Opening statement…

"Okay, Georgia week. It's very exciting around here right now. You look at them -- we're playing one of the most talented teams in the entire country -- and I think the good thing for us is we've already played three top 10 teams, so it's not going to be a shock to our system, as far as that goes. And then, I think another big factor is we're playing at home, so we're very excited about that. I know our players are, too. We can't wait to get in front of our fans in this game. 

"You look at (Georgia) offensively, it starts with Jake Fromm. I really feel like he's one of the better players at any position in all of college football. You look at his career, he's been very consistent. He's a tough guy. It really starts with him. Then a very talented offensive line, very talented running backs, one of the top offenses statistically in our league. 

"You look at them defensively, they have the No. 1 defense in our league right now. You watch them on film and you can tell that. They play a lot of defensive linemen; they rotate in and out and there's really not much drop-off. They've got great depth there. Their linebackers are very active and their safeties are very experienced. They've got corners that can really run. I think they've not given up a rushing touchdown at this point; I don't think that's happened in the last 20 years. That tells you a little bit about their defense. Overall, (they're) a very talented team, but we're really looking forward to playing these guys. Our coaches and our players are extremely excited."

Limiting Jake Fromm…
"You have to make him uncomfortable. He has a very good command of his offense. He doesn't hold the ball long and knows where to go with it. He can throw the ball away and when he has to, and he can be a running threat, too. I think he is a complete guy. We have played him numerous times, playing here two years ago as a true freshman and he showed a lot of toughness. I believe he is one of the best."

This year's Georgia defense compared to others…
"They are always going to be good on defense; there is no doubt about that. Statistically, they are doing things that haven't been done in 20 years. Until you actually play someone, you have to wait to answer that question, but looking at them on film and what they have done has been very impressive to watch. I will tell you that they are pressuring you more than they have in the past. We do expect them to blitz and continue that trend."

Since Georgia hasn't allowed a rushing TD, how do you establish the run?
"I think that is a challenge for everybody that plays them. You have to be able to run the football effectively because you cannot be one-dimensional. For us to be successful, we are going to have to run the football effectively; that is how we are built. It will be a really good matchup to watch and we will see what happens."

On not getting too cute with things in a big game coming off of a bye week…
"Too cute? I will tell you this, it's a lot better to have an extra week, regardless. It gives you a chance, like I've said before from our standpoint, to heal up, which I think we're going to be pretty healthy coming into this thing, which this late into this season I think is good. It's a chance to get better on your own stuff, and then you get a chance to look at them a little bit deeper. Of course, we know them pretty well anyway, but they're a little bit different than they were last year defensively just from a pressure standpoint, especially when you've got a young quarterback. I think it even helps that much more to have an extra week. So, it's good (to have a bye week). I don't know about getting cute. We'll see how the game goes, and you can answer that for me probably after the game and see what you think." 

On winning the turnover battle…
"I think that will be a big factor. If you really look at this game, you're looking at two of the better defenses in our league and in the country. They've got a great defense -- we know that. And their quarterback is a veteran guy; he's played in big games and he doesn't turn the ball over a lot. But we've got to make him uncomfortable. The good thing is we've got a very talented defense, too, so I know they're looking for the challenge of facing this group and their offense. They've got weapons, too. At the receiver position they've got guys who can make plays. But I really think it starts with the quarterback and trying to make him uncomfortable."

Do you talk about this situation being similar to 2017?
"No, we really haven't talked about 2017. Now here is the good thing for us -- a lot of our players that will be on the field Saturday were there. The thing about it is that they played a bunch of young guys back then, too, so they have a lot of guys that have experience, too. We're playing at home and it's a rival game and we are really looking forward to it. This is a great opportunity for us and that's how we are looking. It feels different around here every time you play Georgia -- it always feels different – it's one of our rivals and happens to be one of the top teams in the country, just like they were a couple of years ago. We are probably in a similar situation as we were a couple of years ago, too, so we will see what happens." 

Is it big for the team's legacy how you finish these last two SEC games?
"It's part of being at Auburn. The way the schedule sets up, we are going to play them and our other rival here at the end. Next year that will change, but it has been that way ever since I have been here. These are the games that people remember and our players understand that. They understand how big it is, and they have been looking forward to this one for a long time. I have, too. I know our fans have, too, so we get it. But at the same time, we are excited. This is going to be a good one." 

Do these last two SEC games provide momentum?
"These are the two games you look forward to and I want to go back to this game -- this is what you look forward to, too. These are the games that people remember. They're very important to us and our fan base, and like I said, it's good."

Is last year's Georgia game, with the fake field goal, still fresh to you guys?
"It is big regardless; you don't really get into that. I know it's probably good for y'all to think about, but it's big regardless of what happened last year and all. It's a rivalry game. It's as good as it gets."

You've scored a lot of points against Georgia at home but struggled on the road. Why the difference? 
"I think one of them is that we've got a great home-field advantage with our fans and just the comfort that we have. It's kind of like we talked about Sunday, our quarterback is a young guy, he's played better at home, and I think this year that sets well for us. I mean offensively we've got a huge challenge against their defense no matter whether you're playing in the parking lot, playing out here or there, but you know we've got a great home-field advantage and I think that has a lot to do with it, not just offensively but with everything." 

Is there pressure on the offense to match the defense's performance?
"We're a team. That's the way we go into each game, and we need to play well in all three phases. I think our guys understand that."

What are the challenges of Georgia's pass defense?
"The big thing is when they're able to stop the run, then they can play a little deeper and keep everything in front of them, and they've been able to do that all year. So you've got to be effective running the football to keep them from that. Their safeties are very good tacklers. They're veteran guys, they've played a lot of football. And their corners can all really run. I think to make it really simple, you've got to be able to run the football good enough to make them play honest, and if you can't do that, that's when they can really stay back there deep, keep everything in front of them, and keep away from the big plays. When we're at our best, we're able to run the football and get explosive plays. It doesn't matter if we're playing them or somebody else, that's what we need to do. Now, that's a challenge against this group, but it's a challenge we're looking forward to."

Does the opportunity to play spoiler for Georgia's CFP hopes add anything?
"We have a lot to play for here. That's what we're worried about. We're not worried about them. We're worried about us. If things turn out good like they did a couple of years ago, we have some really good things ahead of us. That's the way we are looking at it." 
 
On the open Arkansas position...
"I love Auburn, like I've said in the past. I love my players and we've got a bright future here and nothing has changed."