Georgia Bulldogs vs. Auburn Tigers: What's at Stake

Georgia loses to Boise State to start the year. Tough loss, but the Dawgs will bounce back.

Georgia loses to South Carolina to fall to 0-2. This isn't looking good.

Coming into the 2011 season there were high expectations for this team. They were returning one of the most talented, young quarterbacks in the SEC. They had an experienced defense that on paper could match up with almost anyone. They had a top-five ranked recruiting class, including the No. 1 rated running back prospect. The expectations weren't unjustified.

But a slow start to the season paired with a loss to the team heavily favored to win the division, had the Bulldogs' hopes of a dream season looking bleak.

A little help from some rival schools, a couple of lucky breaks, and seven straight wins later the Dawgs have found themselves back atop the East with a chance to clinch the division on Saturday.

South Carolina will play host to the Florida Gators in what will be their last SEC game. Should the Gamecocks win, they will finish the season 6-2 in conference play, forcing Bentham to beat both Auburn and Kentucky to earn the Eastern division title.

A South Carolina win and a Georgia loss however, gives the Gamecocks the division. If both Georgia and South Carolina lose Saturday, all Georgia would have to do is beat Kentucky next week to clinch.

Sounds confusing, right?

Only one thing should be taken from all of this: Beat Auburn.

"I know that the players all understand what is at stake and that we are in a better position now and do control our destiny,” coach Richt said.

“We have been fighting like mad for that ever since the moment South Carolina beat us. The thing that has gotten us this far on a weekly basis is just trying to take care of business. That has to be our focus—for every man to do his job starting tomorrow and not waiting until Saturday. Everybody has a job to do. We have to focus on that, and focus on the process. We feel like good things will happen if we do.”

Freshman RB Isaiah Crowell leads the Bulldogs in rushing this year.

It would appear on paper that Georgia has every advantage over the Tigers in this game.

The Dawg's young rushing attack against an Auburn run defense which ranks 10th in the SEC. The much-improved Bulldog secondary against the Auburn passing attack which ranks 108th in the country, averaging just 163 yards per game. The better players at virtually every position on the field.

The list could go on and on. Auburn is simply the inferior team.

But everyone knows when it comes to rivalry games of this magnitude you throw all of that out the window. Games like these come down simply to who wants it more.

Georgia has an opportunity to head back to the SEC Championship game for the first time since 2005. They won't let Auburn come into Athens and take that away from them.

Bulldogs win, 34-21.