Auburn (3-2, 1-1) vs No. 2 Georgia (5-0, 2-0)

When: 2:30 C.T.

Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA

TV: CBS

Line: 29.5

This game will determine…

How Auburn bounces back from giving up 21 unanswered points in a 21-17 loss against LSU. The Tigers have historically played UGA closely; however, the Dawgs have won 16 of the last 21 games in the series.

Auburn has a winning record (18-16) in Athens despite not beating Georgia at Sanford Stadium since the 2005 game. This is the 126th renewal of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Georgia leads the series 62-56-8 and holds an 18-12-2 record on the Plains, including last season’s win against Auburn at Jordan-Hare.

Brian Harsin could ease the pressure on his tenure with a win. An embarrassing loss would further upset anxious Auburn fans and boosters.

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Three things to look for…

1. Is Robby Ashford ready to shine in his first road start as an Auburn quarterback? Ashford threw for 337 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s game against LSU. He guided Auburn to a 17-point lead before LSU ripped off 21 unanswered. He also fumbled four times, losing one that led to the Bayou Bengals’ first touchdown. His fourth-quarter interception clinched the game for LSU, with Auburn driving for a potential go-ahead touchdown. If Ashford can play a complete game, it’ll give the Tigers a chance at upsetting the Bulldogs.

2. Auburn center Brandon Council either called his shot or said words that will live in infamy when he told reporters that the Tigers’ offensive line could demolish the Georgia defensive line.

“If you start fast, run the ball on them,” Council said. “And keep them out of their third-down packages we could demolish them, I believe personally, up front.”

If he’s right, the Tigers will reverse a trend of struggling to run the ball. If he’s wrong, Ashford will have a tough time distributing the football to his wide receivers. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter won’t have space to run. Auburn needs to win on the line of scrimmage, and we’ll see if they can.

3. Auburn held LSU to 85 passing yards last week. Georgia is averaging 342.8 yards per game. Bulldog quarterback Stetson Bennett has five rushing touchdowns. He’s completing 69 percent of his passes this season through five games. Auburn has to mitigate Bennett.

Key matchup

Auburn’s offensive line against Georgia’s front seven is a crucial matchup in this game. Auburn has to establish the run in a way they haven’t in games against Penn State, LSU, and Missouri. Georgia allows 10.8 points per game, while Auburn scores 22.4 a contest. The Bulldogs’ run-stoppers on defense constitute a significant factor in why Georgia is so stingy on giving up points.

By the numbers

.500 – Bryan Harsin enters the game with a 9-9 record through 18 games as the Auburn head coach.

Key Injuries

Auburn- OL Nick Brahms out (retired), OL Tate Johnson out (elbow), EDGE Eku Leota out (pec), QB T.J. Finley out (shoulder), QB Zach Calzada out (shoulder)

Georgia- DL Jalen Carter out (knee), TE Arik Gilbert questionable (personal), WR Adonai Mitchell probable (knee), OL

Earnest Greene III out (Leg)

Georgia player to watch

Brock Bowers, TE: The 6′4, 230-pound tight end has 20 catches for 342 yards and had a 75-yard touchdown run against Kent State. Bowers is the only player in the country with a 75-yard receiving touchdown and a 75-yard rushing score.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.