Tag: Auburn Football

3 key games that could impact the CFP picture in Week 14

What a loss in the final regular-season games could mean for teams like Alabama and Ohio State.

Welcome to Before The Snap, For The Win’s college football show where we’ll break down the sport’s trending storylines, examine each week’s biggest matchups and track the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy races.

For the College Football Playoff contenders, Week 14’s games are the last on their regular-season schedules. Not everyone needs to win to keep their conference championship and playoff hopes alive, but, obviously, no one wants to lose.

There are several games with playoff implications this weekend, and they’re even more fun because so many are rivalry matchups. But we’re breaking down three of the biggest and potentially most entertaining games that could impact the playoff picture.

No. 5 Alabama (10-1) at No. 15 Auburn (8-3)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn
TV channel: CBS
Spread: Alabama -3

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn closes out its brutal schedule with the Iron Bowl and is still looking to be a spoiler — and that’s what fans of other playoff bubble teams should be rooting for. With three losses, the Tigers aren’t playoff contenders at this point, but they could ruin Alabama’s shot and help keep the Crimson Tide out of the playoff for the first time since this format was implemented in 2014.

Alabama’s only loss of the season so far was to LSU earlier this month, and while that is keeping it from competing for an SEC championship, the playoff is still very much an option. But the Crimson Tide can’t afford a second loss if they want to contend for a national championship. And, with quarterback Mac Jones filling in for injured Tua Tagovailoa, they probably have to win by a solid margin to look as appealing as possible to the selection committee.

No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) at No. 13 Michigan (9-2)

When: Saturday, Noon ET
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
TV channel: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -9.5

As arguably the most balanced team in the country, Ohio State is on fire and cruising toward the College Football Playoff. And the discussion around it is more about getting the No. 1 seed over LSU, which is currently ranked No. 2, rather than whether or not it will make the playoff.

A loss for the Buckeyes actually wouldn’t mean a lot in terms of the playoff (but obviously, the rivalry is a different story). They’ve already clinched the Big Ten East and will play in the conference championship game no matter what. It would eliminate any wiggle room, should they lose the Big Ten title game, and could keep them from being one of the top-2 seeds. But Ohio State as a one-loss conference champ is getting in the playoff this year.

No. 12 Wisconsin (9-2) at No. 8 Minnesota (10-1)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV channel: ABC
Spread: Wisconsin -2.5

These two teams are fighting for a shot at the Big Ten title and a chance to try to upset Ohio State in Indianapolis next weekend. Both teams are still longshots to make the playoff and would likely have to win the conference championship game to get in, but with so much on the line, this game could get really good.

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Rivalry week: How UGA vs Georgia Tech ticket prices stack up to the rest of CFB

A look at UGA vs Georgia Tech ticket prices compared to the rest of college football this rivalry week. Plus looking the SEC Championship.

It’s the final weekend of the college football regular season. Wow…how sad is that?

Very sad is the answer to that question, but on the bright side we are in for a good day of college football.

Alabama vs Auburn and Ohio State vs Michigan headline what will be an exciting Saturday. Additionally, fans will also be able to enjoy a ranked matchup between Wisconsin and Minnesota plus Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

With the Dawgs playing LSU in the SEC Championship the following weekend, I’m looking forward to watching how the Tigers handle Texas A&M, which Georgia struggled against last weekend.

Speaking of the SEC Championship, currently, the get-in price for the conference title game is $341 and the average is now $995. The get-in price has only dropped just over 2% in the last week, but the average list price has gone down 23% over that same time frame. I’d be curious to see what would happen to those prices if LSU were to lose this weekend seeing as how it would then be a win-or-go-home battle for both teams.

Click here to view tickets to the SEC Championship.

As for this weekend, Georgia fans’ wallets will get a bit of a break if they want to see the Dawgs take on Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Currently, Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate is the weekend’s ninth most expensive game, with a get-in price of $98. For Georgia fans, that’s not too bad; for Tech fans, this is the Yellow Jackets’s most expensive game of the season.

Click here for Georgia vs Georgia Tech tickets.

Minnesota at Wisconsin claims the title of most expensive ticket this weekend with tickets starting $257, followed by the Iron Bowl at $165.

CFP Rankings: Notre Dame Done No Favors by Committee

Auburn clearly has a better win to its name than Notre Dame has as the Tigers knocked off now No. 6 Oregon way back on opening weekend.

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The latest College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night with little actual movement at the top as Nos. 1-6 all remained the exact same as a week ago.

What will perhaps anger some Notre Dame fans however is what happened to the Irish after dismantling previously No. 23 Navy:

The Irish remained at 16 with three-loss Auburn coming in a spot above them at 15.

Auburn clearly has a better win to its name than Notre Dame has as the Tigers knocked off now No. 6 Oregon way back on opening weekend.

The Irish have one win over a top-25 team, that being in mid-October over No. 23 USC. They also knocked Navy out of the top-25 last week while Virginia Tech is knocking on the door to enter the rankings.

Is it frustrating that you see three losses next to Auburn’s name and two next to Notre Dame’s yet see the Tigers ranked ahead?

Absolutely.

But the problem here isn’t an Auburn/Notre Dame problem, it’s a Notre Dame/Michigan problem.

If Notre Dame shows up for that game and simply doesn’t get routed they’re not sitting at 16 right now, they’re a couple spots higher and the path to a Cotton Bowl is much easier to figure out.

But get blown out in a game where a 45-14 was somehow worse than the score even indicated.

I wish I could work up the energy to be upset but it’s as simple as that late-October date in Ann Arbor will probably cost the Irish a New Year’s Six date, which sucks for Irish fans but is plenty deserved.

Photographer injured during Georgia football game shares pic she took just before hit

UGA student photographer Chamberlain Smith was knocked unconscious during freak accident this Saturday. See the pic she got moments before.

It was a scary moment this Saturday in Auburn, Alabama as Georgia running back Brian Herrien was pushed out of bounds, running into UGA photographer Chamberlain Smith and causing her to go unconscious.

There was about a 10 minute delay on the game as the whole stadium sat in silence praying for Smith’s wellbeing.

Obviously the incident was a freak accident with no one at blame.

Herrien, the Dawgs senior running back, showed his support and how concerned he was for Smith.

Herrien truly did show compassion in not wanting to go back to his sideline.  He cared more about Smith than he did the game.  Some things are bigger than football.

Thankfully Smith was alright, being diagnosed with a mild concussion.  Not only did Smith get out of there okay, she got one hell of a picture of the man who took her out.

Nothing but love here in Athens and thankfully Smith is alright.

UGA photographer provides positive update after scary collision

Georgia football photographer Chamberlain Smith gave an update after the injury from the UGA vs Auburn game.

An eerie silence fell across Jordan-Hare Stadium late in the second quarter of UGA’s 21-14 triumph over Auburn. It came after Georgia running back Brian Herrien was shoved out of bounds, where he collided with UGA photography intern Chamberlain Smith, knocking her unconscious for a few moments.

Smith was ultimately taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital after the scary collision.

However, it appears that things are looking hopeful for Smith, as she posted an encouraging update about her health on Twitter.

Smith revealed that she is doing okay and left the hospital with nothing more than a concussion and some bruises.

It’s a hopeful update after an incident that appeared that it could have been much, much worse than it was. Dawg Nation wishes Chamberlain Smith a speedy and healthful recovery from her injuries.

Three overlooked Georgia at Auburn plays; what they mean moving forward

Georgia Bulldogs football won 21-14 over the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium last night. D.J. Daniel made an awesome first half play.

The Georgia Bulldogs got a massive 21-14 road win over the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium last night. The Bulldogs played excellent, but let Auburn creep back into the game, much like LSU did when they defeated Auburn 23-20 in Baton Rouge.

Auburn’s defense has had similar stifling effects on Oregon, LSU, Florida, and Georgia. Auburn may have the best defensive line in the country.

In order for Georgia to win, it took numerous clutch plays down the stretch. Lots of these plays standout, but I’ve picked three that have significance moving forward.

At first glance, the D.J. Daniel pass break up isn’t too special, but you must factor in several things. Daniel is lines up against Auburn’s fastest player in Anthony Schwartz, who gains separation with his speed. Daniel keeps sound technique and a never-out-of-position mindset. He doesn’t panic and get interference. Instead, he makes an excellent well-timed play on the football:

That’s not all. What’s impressive is Daniel’s pre-snap focus. Daniel is not fooled by the look to the sideline and quick-snap that Tua Tagovailoa and Alabama used to trick LSU’s touted freshman Derek Stingley for a touchdown last week:

It’s a copy-cat sport, so don’t be surprised if this isn’t the last Georgia sees of this play. UGA defensive backs must be prepared for this, so they don’t give up a cheap touchdown moving forward.

Another play I’d like to highlight was perhaps Auburn’s last true chance to remain in the game:

Gus Malzahn called an excellent play, but Auburn quarterback Bo Nix couldn’t connect with his open receiver. This is a play that LSU’s Joe Burrow hits with ease. Georgia’s pass defense must tighten up moving forward. One way UGA can limit an elite passer like Joe Burrow is with pressure. The Dawgs must be more disruptive in a potential SEC Championship against LSU. The now healthier Tyson Campbell will continue to battle with D.J. Daniel for the second corner spot.

Punter Jake Camarda played his best game of the season yesterday. Camarda launched eleven punts(!!!) for 558 yards at Auburn. He consistently pinned Auburn’s offense against their goal-line in the first half with punts like this one:

If Camarda can continue to play at a high-level, then it will put UGA’s defense in much more favorable positions and give Georgia elite specials teams play, if the Dawgs can get down the field and cover kicks. Georgia has to limit special teams penalties moving forward to dominate the field-position battle. Georgia’s defense will need all the help it can get against LSU’s high-flying offense.

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Brian Herrien following photographer injury: ‘I prayed for her well being’

Georgia football RB Brian Herrien discussed the injury to the UGA photographer during the Auburn game and how he prayed for her.

It was a scary moment on Saturday as UGA running back Brian Herrien collided with photographer Chamberlain Smith, an intern with the Georgia Athletic Department.

Georgia was deep in Auburn territory as Herrien caught a short pass and was pushed out of bounds, where he was unable to avoid a collision with Smith.

She was knocked unconscious and the game came to a halt as medical personnel attended to her on the sideline. A few minutes later, Smith regained consciousness and was taken off the field in a stretcher.

Herrien, who is known among the Dawg Nation as one of the hardest workers on the team and a guy who’s always willing to engage with fans, was visibly shaken up after the incident. He did not want to leave the area until he knew Smith was ok.

With a bruise by her eye, Smith was later transported to East Alabama Medical Center. A few hours later, she was released by the doctors.

“[Herrien] was pretty upset in the locker room,” CBS sideline reporter Jamie Erdahl reported at halftime.

Following the game, Kirby Smart discussed Herrien’s emotions as well.

“It was really a scary moment,” Smart said. “Brian felt very sick about it. It was a tough deal, but hopefully she’s going to be OK. I think she is.”

When Herrien found out that Smith had been released from the hospital, it’s a safe bet to say that he was relieved.

“My heart goes out to her and her family I prayed for her well being as we took a knee,” tweeted Herrien, who prayed for Smith alongside Jake Fromm at halftime, reported Erdahl.

Herrien went on to score on the first play after the game resumed. On 7 carries, the senior from Douglasville tallied 24 yards and found the end zone on a reception. Georgia won the game 21-14 and clinched its spot in the the SEC Championship Game for the third year in a row.

Stats from Georgia football’s win over Auburn

Here are some stats from Georgia football’s big win over Auburn.

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On Saturday night, Georgia booked its ticket to the SEC Championship for the third year in a row after the Bulldogs took down Auburn 21-14 on the road.

It was not always pretty, but the Georgia football team did just enough to hold off the Tigers and hang on for a win.

The first three quarters of this game it was pure domination on Georgia’s end. On offense, Georgia was doing ok. Nothing special, but it did put up 21 points against one of the nation’s best defenses. But when Auburn had the ball the Georgia defense was fantastic, allowing nothing for the first three quarters.

But then came the fourth quarter. Georgia was gassed on defense and it allowed Auburn to move the ball with ease. But it was when Auburn needed yards the most where Georgia finally got it together and stopped the Tigers on 4th down to win the game.

Here are some stats from the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry;

Georgia:

QB Jake Fromm: 13/28, 110 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

RB D’Andre Swift: 17 carries, 106 yards

WR Dominick Blaylock: 2 catches, 50 yards, 1 touchdown

P Jake Camarda: 11 punts for 558 yards (50.7 yards per), 4 inside the 20, long of 67

Auburn:

QB Bo Nix: 30/50, 245 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble

RB D.J. Williams: 8 carries, 26 yards

WR Seth Williams: 13 catches, 121 yards

WR Anthony Schwartz: 7 catches, 48 yards

Team stats:

Third down:

Georgia: 3-15

Auburn: 5-18

Fourth down:

Georgia: 0-0

Auburn: 1-4

Total yards:

Georgia: 251

Auburn: 329

Penalties:

Georgia: 7 for 56 yards

Auburn: 4 for 35 yards

Takeaways:

Georgia: 1

Auburn: 0

Twitter reacts as Georgia beats Auburn, punches ticket to SEC Championship Game

Twitter reacts as Georgia football beat Auburn and punched its ticket to the third straight SEC Championship Game.

For the third year in a row, the Georgia Bulldogs are headed to the SEC Championship.

On Saturday night, No. 4 Georgia defeated No. 12 Auburn 21-14 in a game that came down to the wire, even though Georgia dominated the first three quarters.

But in the end, the Dawgs did enough to hold off the pesky Tigers in a deafening Jordan-Hare Stadium.

A few quick stats before we show you our favorite Twitter reactions:

Georgia:

QB Jake Fromm: 13/28, 110 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

RB D’Andre Swift: 17 carries, 106 yards

WR Dominick Blaylock: 2 catches, 50 yards, 1 touchdown

P Jake Camarda: 11 punts for 558 yards (50.7 yards per), 4 inside the 20, long of 67

Auburn:

QB Bo Nix: 30/50, 245 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble

RB D.J. Williams: 8 carries, 26 yards

WR Seth Williams: 13 catches, 121 yards

WR Anthony Schwartz: 7 catches, 48 yards

Favorite tweets:

 

 

Watch: D’Andre Swift hits dirty spin move, runs for first down

Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift hit an insanely dirty spin move and picked up the first down vs Auburn.

Georgia football running back D’Andre Swift is best known for his killer cuts that have broken the ankles of numerous helpless lineman and linebackers.

But today vs Auburn and the Tigers’ incredible defensive line, Swift broke out a new move.

Check out this spin move that Swift put on the Auburn defensive lineman. He then turned on the jets and picked up a first down.