What UGA fans need to know about Auburn

By Tim Tucker

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• Record, ranking: 7-3 (3-3 SEC), No. 25 in coaches' poll.

• Last week: Defeated Furman 63-31 at Auburn.

• Last time played Georgia: Georgia won 17-13 at Auburn last year.

• Auburn on offense: The Tigers have improved dramatically on offense from last season. They lead the SEC in total offense at 450.3 yards per game, well-balanced between run (230 yards per game) and pass (220.3). Running back Ben Tate averages 114.2 yards rushing per game, third best in the SEC. Quarterback Chris Todd has thrown 17 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. Wide receiver Darvin Adams leads the SEC in touchdown catches with nine. Auburn has averaged 43.3 points per game in its seven victories but averaged only 15.7 per game in a mid-season stretch of three consecutive losses (to Arkansas, Kentucky and LSU).

• Auburn on defense: The Tigers rank at or near the bottom of the SEC -– yes, behind Georgia –- in most defensive categories. Auburn is 12th (last) in the SEC in scoring defense (26.6 points per game), 11th in total defense (360.9 yards per game), 10th in rushing defense (169.8 yards per game) and 9th in passing defense (191.1). Georgia, by comparison, ranks 10th in the conference in scoring defense, 7th in total defense, 4th in rushing defense and 11th in passing defense. Auburn has a huge advantage, though, in turnovers forced (19 vs. Georgia's 6).  Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman leads the SEC with 12.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks.

• Auburn on special teams: Junior Wes Byrum has made 13 of 14 field-goal attempts, including four in a 26-22 victory at Tennessee. He has 41 field goals in his Auburn career. Byrum, like Georgia kicker Blair Walsh, went to high school in Fort Lauderdale.

• What you should know about Auburn: In a series famous for road-field advantage, the Tigers have won 10 of their past 13 games in Athens, where Saturday's game will be played, and have an all-time winning record there (18-10). Georgia, conversely, has a winning record in Auburn (14-9-2).

• What you might not know about Auburn: The Tigers' current three-game losing streak to Georgia is their longest in the series since 1980-82

• Coach: Gene Chizik, 12-22 in three years as a head coach, including 7-3 at Auburn.

• More on the Web: Auburn Athletics