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ATHENS - If there was ever a game where Georgia’s defensive front should shine it’s this weekend against the Auburn Tigers.
The Dawgs have had trouble getting to the quarterback, but the Tigers can’t protect him.
Something has to give.
Through the first five games of the season Glenn Schumann’s group has just seven sacks, tied for 108th in the country. However, the Auburn Tigers are last in the country in sacks given up. Jackson Arnold has been sacked 20 times so far this season, the most among all quarterbacks in college football. Arnold was sacked by Oklahoma nine times and sacked by the Aggie defense five times a week later.
Now, it’s Georgia’s time to do the same.
A big reason for Auburn’s struggles is their undisciplined offense. They move backwards way too much and consistently put themselves into 3rd and long situations. They get behind the chains all too often and have trouble sustaining drives due to frustrating penalties and miscommunication up front.
It’s hard to be successful on 3rd and long, and the Tigers have lived in that scenario all season long.
“Protection-wise, you can't get in third-and-long constantly” Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze told reporters this week. “It's just not going to work out. The first thing we have to do is not create penalties that put us in those positions, that allow us to get the ball out quicker with the quick game and where we don't have to constantly throw the ball down the field or depend on a draw or something to try to create an explosive play in those situations.”
"So again, the pass protection, can we strain more? Sure. We're not going to win those one-on-ones all of the time in those situations when they know what you have to do. The teams that are successful on third downs are the teams that are winning first down and staying ahead of the chains. Yes, we can work on technique. Yes, we can work on our backs protecting better and using our tight ends, but the bottom line, let's don't get in those situations too much where they don't have to be where the defense has their ears pinned back, constantly coming after us."
The Auburn offense was 0/13 on 3rd down against Texas A&M. They had just 177 total yards. They ran for just 2.2 yards per rush.
That’s ugly, ugly offense. Still, they have lots of weapons on the outside, capable running backs and an athletic quarterback. But their offensive line can’t block a soul right now. Success starts up front and the Tigers simply aren’t getting it done there.
The Bulldogs have been strong against the run this season. They’ve been susceptible against the pass, but for Auburn to pull the upset, they have to establish a ground game and get early points. If they get down and have to throw their way back in the second half, look for for the Dawgs to hunt.
The Bulldogs have a big opportunity in front of them. They’re desperate for an improved pass-rush and that’s something we could see on the Plains this weekend.
