The SEC championship shouldn’t be a letdown, at least on paper.
Despite Auburn’s 40-17 thrashing of Georgia just three weeks ago, both teams should send fans home with an entertaining, high-scoring match-up.
Georgia ran away with the SEC East, sweeping the division by an average score of 41-12. This Georgia team is attempting to become the third to register a 12-win season. It will be the second time the Bulldogs rematch an SEC West opponent in the title game, previously falling to LSU twice in 2003.
Auburn had has three such rematches in the title game, winning each over Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina. The Tigers were hit with an early season loss to Clemson, but dominated with just one blemish down the stretch.
The Tigers blew a 20-0 lead, losing to LSU 27-23 on Oct. 14. But they’ve won every game by double-digits since, setting a school record with seven SEC wins and scoring 40 or more in six of those victories. The school’s 327 points is a record.
Auburn is one of four FBS programs averaging over 230 yards passing and 230 yards rushing this season, joining Louisville, South Florida and Ohio State. It’s ranked in the top 20 in scoring offense and defense.
Transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham had a rocky start but emerged into one of the better passers in the league. He leads the SEC with a .685 completion percentage and is third in passing efficiency (160).
Running back Kerryon Johnson averages 11.4 points per game, and his 1,276 yards gives Auburn one of eight 2,600-yard passer, 1,200-yard rusher duos in the nation. Johnson’s 17 scores are best in the SEC by three.
Georgia’s rushing attack was decimated against Auburn last meeting, with Sony Michel and Nick Chubb combining for just 48 yards. The pair will have to do more if the Bulldogs are going to make the playoffs – along with Georgia containing Auburn’s historically potent offense.
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