AUBURN, Ala. – One could make the case that Georgia simply wasn’t ready for the big stage. Certainly there were signs of that with critical penalties, a muffed fair catch, a blown opportunity on a deep ball to a wide open Riley Ridley. In short, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs displayed all of the frustrating traits against Auburn Saturday that got Mark Richt fired.
But Auburn’s 40-17 victory had more to do with what the Tigers did than the Bulldogs tripping over themselves.
The Tigers won because they dominated both lines of scrimmage.
They won because running back Kerryon Johnson proved he can carry a heavy load.