November 11 Georgia Bulldogs at Auburn
Review: AUBURN 29 Georgia 26I was in the hospital with my father during the game so I did not get to see much of the game. I was impressed that the Tigers were able to come from an early defecit (like they did against LSU) and pull this one out in overtime. I don't think that Qunicy Carter woudl have made much of a difference - their backup QB who went to the same school as Ben Leard is a good QB.
Preview: This one's big! The oldest rivalry in the south will be an important game for each team. The winner will be in line for a promotion from the Independence/Music City bowl tier to the Peach/Outback/Cotton Bowl tier. And in Auburn's case a win here along with some other games going their way puts them in Atlanta in December against the Florida/South Carolina winner.(Auburn must win the west outright or depend on a head-head tiebreaker with LSU or Ole Miss. Auburn loses head-head with Miss State and in a 3-way tie with Miss State and LSU.) I would like nothing more than to pick Auburn to win this one and prove the road-team advantage is a fluke and to believe that the team is headed in the right direction, but I can't. This team has lacked luster ever since we pummeled those hapless Commodores on a hot late September afternoon. Rudi is still getting a lot of yards behind the blocking of Heath and the O-Line and Leard still has decent passing numbers, but there's just something not completely right. Something that is needed to face a Georgia team which has seen its ups and downs all season and seems poised for an up. They also have the revenge factor on their side and Quincy Carter (who Auburn will never see again after this) is ripe for a good game. Both teams had their bye week on November 4th and should be equally rested and healthy. I am hopeful that the Arkansas game reflected a tired AU team against a rested Hog team in that the score was much too close. I fear that QC will pick apart our inconsistant secondary with some big gains and our lack of a reliable pass rush will give him plenty of time to find a good receiver. Auburn's best chance is to control the ball with Rudi runs and to try to generate a vertical passing attack to keep their defense honest. We need a beter special teams play that the week before - namely Duval is coming off his worst punting performance of the year. I look for this one to be close until the second half with Georgia breaking loose in the 3rd quarter and Auburn attempting a 4th quarter comeback stopping just short. Again, I hope I'm wrong on this one.
Prediction: Georgia 31 Auburn 21
TV: ESPN 6:30 PM CST
November 18 Auburn at Alabama Crimson Tide
Review: AUBURN 9 Alabama 0
Preview: N/A
Prediction: N/A
TV: CBS 2:30 PM CST
I did not get to do a preview or a prediction on this game because of my father's hospital stay. I did get to see the game and I thought the Tigers played well in those miserable cold and sleeting conditions. Duval kicked 3 FGs in terrible conditions and should be commended. The Tiger's running game held up just enough to win. This is Auburn's first victory as the visitor since 1988 but their third in a row in Tuscaloosa.