DAWG BONE OFFENSE – PUSH
The Georgia offense continues to be inconsistent. Auburn’s defense was tremendous and the UGA offense was stagnant for a majority of the game. Receivers struggled to create separation, which limited Georgia’s ability to sustain drives. That being said, the Dawgs capitalized by scoring touchdowns, rather than settling for field goals. It was a war of attrition and the Dawg offense survived despite losing Lawrence Cager, Ben Cleveland, and Cade Mays. Saturday against Texas A&M, the Georgia offense must find a way to create separation for their receivers like they did against Florida in order to sustain drives. The running game appears poised for an explosive breakout game. The Texas A&M offense starts with the running game led by Isaiah Spiller and Kellen Mond. If the Aggies are able to get things going on the ground their play-action game becomes explosive. Receivers Quartney Davis, Jhamon Ausbon, and Ainias Smith are all big plays waiting to happen. Georgia and Texas A&M share this Dawg Bone because neither offense has been consistent against quality opponents this season.
DAWG BONE DEFENSE – GEORGIA
The Georgia defense is the best in the SEC – period. For that reason, Georgia wins the Dawg Bone on defense. For three quarters against Auburn, the Junkyard Dawg defense stifled the Auburn offense. The defensive line dominated at the point of attack, linebackers ran free and defensive backs covered well. Then, suddenly, in the fourth quarter, the defense struggled largely due to a loss of aggression. This defense has the potential to be the best ever to play between the hedges but to do that they must finish the drill against quality opponents. The Texas A&M defense has been solid this season. Fisher takes great pride in his teams’ physicality against the run and will emphasize that all week in practice in preparation for the Dawgs. Where the Aggies have been vulnerable is against the pass where their secondary has allowed some large windows for opposing quarterbacks.
DAWG BONE SPECIAL TEAMS – GEORGIA
The Georgia special teams played their best game of the season last week. Jake Camarda was bombing punts consistently flipping the field and pinning Auburn inside the 20. Also, several of Dominic Blaylock’s catches on difficult punts were outstanding despite tight coverage by Auburn. Meanwhile, Texas A&M has the best punter in the country in Braden Mann and Ainias Smith is an electric punt returner. However, Georgia wins the Dawg Bone on special teams because Rodrigo Blankenship is clearly the superior kicker compared to Seth Small.
DAWG BONE COACHING – PUSH
It will be a fascinating coaching matchup on Saturday between one of the best offensive minds in football against one of the best defensive minds. Jimbo Fisher is an offensive guru and one of the best play-callers in the business. He will find ways to test the Georgia defense with pro-style principles and a heavy dose of the vertical passing game. Meanwhile, Coach Smart will have the UGA defense primed and ready for a physical test. It will be very interesting to see what Coach Coley draws up to get Jake Fromm back into the rhythm we saw against Florida. Saturday will be strength versus strength from a coaching standpoint and therefore the Aggies and Dawgs share the coaching Dawg Bone.
DAWG BONE OVERALL – GEORGIA
On Saturday, Georgia is playing for everything. With all due respect to that team on North Avenue, Texas A&M is all that stands between Georgia and a matchup against LSU with a birth in The Playoffs on the line. Sanford Stadium is going to be rocking come 3:30 p.m. and the team will be locked in. For the Aggies, this is the first of a two-game gauntlet with a game at LSU looming next week. Georgia wins the overall Dawg Bone because they have everything to play for while Texas A&M is playing a game of Survivor the final two weeks.