By: Robert Craft

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Georgia Bulldog’s season got off to a bummy but ultimately successful start on Saturday with a 37-1 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The Auburn Tigers took care of business by beating the Kentucky Wildcats 29-13 to open the SEC football season.

Now the Bulldogs and Tigers will renew one of the oldest rivalries in the SEC on Saturday in Athens.

The top 10 matchup provides a steep test for both teams and plenty of questions after the season opener.

Georgia opens as a 7-point favorite.

There is no question who will be the starting quarterback for Auburn.

Since he arrived on campus, as a star-studded true freshman, Bo Nix has been the starter for the Tigers.

To kick off his second season as Auburn’s leader under center, Nix completed 16-27 for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Nix will need a similarly stellar showing this Saturday at #4 Georgia if the Tigers are going to have a chance to beat the Bulldogs.

Saturday’s season opener provided little clarity in Georgia’s quarterback situation.

Redshirt freshman D’Wan Mathis got the start but he struggled early and was benched for junior Stetson Bennett IV.

Bennett played well in relief completing 20-29 passes for 211 and 2 touchdowns. Bennett showed an understanding of the offense and delivered the ball to his playmakers.

Georgia doesn’t have a quarterback controversy right now. It is more like a quarterback muddle with prize transfer JT Daniels being cleared to play this Saturday.

Daniels, a five-star transfer from USC who was granted immediate eligibility, will throw his helmet into the ring.

Once Kirby Smart made the announcement on Monday, the reaction of Georgia fans was ”We have a new starter!”

Auburn’s Offense vs Georgia’s Defense: The Tigers had their struggles moving the ball against a stout Kentucky defense on Saturday.

Auburn’s weapons on the offensive side of the ball are receivers Seth Williams, Eli Stove and Anthony Schwartz.

But Georgia has the best secondary in the country with Richard LeCounte, Eric Stokes, Lewis Cine and Tyson Campbell.

Players to watch: Anthony Schwartz vs Tyson Campbell (former high school teammates).

Georgia’s offense vs Auburn’s Defense: The Bulldogs must get the ball in the hands of George Pickens.  Pickens is the Bulldogs’ most explosive weapon on offense.

Last Saturday, he was targeted just six times with four catches and one touchdown.

Rewatching the game, Pickens had separation on a number of plays but the quarterback could not get him the ball.

My biggest concern for the Bulldogs is the players on their offensive line.

The line got little to no push against an undersized Arkansas defensive line and Trey Hill, All-SEC center, struggled with his snapping.  Auburn’s defensive line is nursing some injuries with Big Kat Bryant playing just a couple plays in the second half, Jay Hardy and Dre Butler did not dress due to injuries.

Players to watch: Whoever Georgia runs out at quarterback vs Roger McCreary.

Georgia has won the past three meetings, dating back to Auburn’s regular season win in 2017 and has won eight of the past 10 meetings.

A sold-out limited capacity crowd of some 23,000 on hand, so I can throw home field out the window.

This game comes down to quarterback play. Can Bo Nix handle the Georgia defense? Can Georgia get a full game of quality quarterback play?

Georgia will get game management quarterback play out of Bennett and the JUNKYARD DAWGS DEFENSE will smother Bo Nix! Georgia 31 Auburn 13