We are 30 minutes into the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, and Auburn’s struggles to finish drives on offense appear to have rolled over from the Ole Miss game.
On the first drive of the game, we saw a lot of the same type play as the Ole Miss game. Auburn’s offense moved the ball well, mixing passing schemes with runs in between. We saw success in the slant passes, a couple quick ones to get Bo Nix in a rhythm early on. Auburn then moved the ball into enemy territory, getting the ball inside the Georgia 30 yard-line. Unfortunately for Auburn, the drive ended with a goose egg on the scoreboard, when Carlson missed a 47-yard field goal.
Kicking has been an issue lately for Auburn, who has traditionally been known for its strong kicking game. Carlson is two for his last seven attempts, and has not made a field goal from over 40 yards since his 44-yard kick against Arkansas on Oct. 19. All of Carlson’s struggles come from beyond 40 yards out. He is a perfect 8-of-8 from under 40, but has missed the last five field goal attempts from over 40.
Auburn was in Georgia territory three times in the first half. The Tigers did not score on any of those drives, with the missed field goal, a turnover on downs, and a lost fumble being the result of the three. Through one half, Auburn has less than 150 total yards, nine first downs, and only one penalty. We’ll see what adjustment Gus Malzahn makes in the locker room, but something has to change for the Tigers to have a chance in this one.
There’s still time, but at halftime, Georgia leads Auburn 14-0.
