Jeff Dantzler with his five keys for the Georgia Bulldogs to come out on top with the win over the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.

1 – Control the Tigers Defensive Front:

Auburn’s defensive front is one of the best in college football, loaded with All-American candidates and future high draft picks, including some Peach State players that painfully got away. These guys can run and disrupt. They are big, strong, athletic and physical. And they had a week the week off to fine-tune. Georgia’s offensive line will have its toughest test of the season. Avoiding the “Wad” in the middle of the line, and throwing when you want to will be largely dictated by the battle up front.

2 – Win the Special Teams:

The last time Georgia went to Auburn, the Tigers rolled to a 40-17 win. A trio of special teams meltdowns led to Auburn’s pull-away. This will be the most difficult atmosphere the Bulldogs have played in front of all season. Jordan-Hare will be on fire, as the Tigers try and duplicate their magic from 2017. Nothing can swing the momentum like turnovers and big special teams plays. It’s a must for Georgia to win this phase.

3 – Run Defense:

The “Gus Bus” really gets rolling when that up-tempo running attack gets going. Georgia’s run defense has had some tremendous performances this year, most notably in the two most high profile wins of the season against Notre Dame and Florida. This gets back to the trenches. When Georgia puts four on the line, the defense is really tough. Can the Bulldogs get Auburn behind the chains? Auburn has a typically tough and strong offensive line. The push and penetration will largely tell the story of the Dogs’ defensive performance.

4 – Pressure Bo Nix:

Auburn’s standout freshman signal-caller Bo Nix with the first and last name. His dad Patrick had some magic moments for the Tigers, and Bo burst onto the scene with a last-second, dramatic, game-winning touchdown in the season-opening win over Oregon. Hot take here – Georgia must get to Nix and rattle the rookie. His struggles came on the road, at Florida and LSU. Those pom-poms will be shaking for him and roaring against the Bulldogs. Slow down that run, and get to Nix. Get Auburn behind those chains.

5 – Need a Long One:

How sweet it was two weeks ago in Jacksonville when Jake Fromm hit Lawrence Cager for the 52-yard touchdown to go up 22-10 (then 24-10 after the two-point pass play from Fromm to Cager) against Florida. That was the Bulldogs first long offensive touchdown against an SEC opponent/Notre Dame. That Auburn defense is so strong, it’s hard to put together a long drive. Whether it’s the offense, the defense or kicking game, it may take a long one for the Dogs to cry victory on the Plains.