DawgsHQ Staff Predictions: Week 5 (Georgia vs. Auburn & others)

It’s another meeting of Georgia and Auburn on deck this week as the Bulldogs and Tigers square off for the 128th time. Kirby Smart’s crew enters as a 14.5-point favorite, but you never know what can happen when two rivals meet – especially with the home team as the underdog. Here’s how the DawgsHQ crew expects it to play out – plus our picks on some of the top games from around the country.

*** Georgia did not cover the spread last week against UAB. Wes and Jeremy predicted that they would while Reuse, Rusty, Rowe and Palmer correctly said that it’d be closer than Vegas thought. Point for those guys. This week, UGA is a 14.5-point favorite over Auburn. ***

Wes Blankenship (12-9)

Buckle up for a good, old-fashioned phone booth game. Georgia is better than Auburn on offense and defense, even with some of the injury issues through the first four games of the Dawgs’ season. Auburn is banged up as well and giving out tackles for loss like Oprah in front of a live studio audience. Welcome back, Javon Bullard & Mykel Williams. It may not always feel like Georgia will cover at Auburn, but the Dawgs will get it done eventually. (Georgia 30, Auburn 13)

Jeremy Johnson (12-9)

Georgia survives their first SEC road game against an improving Auburn team. Georgia defense makes statement. (Georgia 27, Auburn 9)

Rusty Mansell

This Georgia offense is at its best when Brock Bowers is getting his touches. I know it’s a cop out, but he’s my prediction for player of the game. He’s crazy with the ball. Expect Smael Mondon to play well on defense. They’ll have some blitz packages for him against this Auburn offense and the struggling quarterbacks. At least one sack for him on Saturday. (Georgia 31, Auburn 10)

Jake Reuse (12-9)

I think it’s possible Georgia covers in this game because the Auburn offense has really struggled to this point in the season, BUT, I’m going to need to see Georgia do it once this season before I’m going to be sold. I think they’ll have a solid outing, especially if Carson Beck is able to deliver in the first road start of his career, and getting Mykel Williams and Javon Bullard back will be a big help in shutting down the Tigers to a large degree. Still, there’s probably enough firepower in the Auburn defense to give Georgia’s up-and-down offense some frustration and make this one look closer than it will be. (Georgia 24, Auburn 10)

Jake Rowe (10-11)

I’ve gone back and forth on this one all week. As I’ve said numerous times since the South Carolina game, I think this Georgia team is going to have to grind out wins a lot more often than it has the past two years. I think this game is going to look like that early on. Auburn will come out swinging and it might land a few punches on defense. I think it takes a little time before the UGA offense gets going but when it does, I like the Bulldogs to pull away. Any success from the Tiger offense will come early and UGA will take control of the game in the third quarter. I’m picking the Dawgs to cover. (Georgia 30, Auburn 6)

Palmer Thombs (12-9)

The next time Georgia covers will be the first time Georgia covers. I think it happens this week. It won’t be pretty, but that number is favorable for the Dawgs. Carson Beck builds on the chemistry he and Mike Bobo were building last week, opening up the passing game early before the Bulldogs settle in to the run game late. Daijun Edwards had three touchdowns last year against Auburn. He has a big day to put this one away. Defensively, I’m thinking there’s a big play or two up UGA’s sleeve. This Auburn offense is not great, and this Georgia defense is talented enough to make them pay. I’m standing by my pick of Jamon Dumas-Johnson to bounce back well. (Georgia 31, Auburn 10)

National Games of the Week (Against the Spread)

No. 10 Utah @ No. 19 Oregon State / 0:00 p.m. ET (Friday), FS1
Wes: Utah
Jeremy: Utah
Reuse: Utah
Rowe: Utah
Palmer: Utah

No. 22 Florida @ Kentucky (-1) / 12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Wes: Kentucky
Jeremy: Florida
Reuse: Florida
Rowe: Kentucky
Palmer: Florida

No. 24 Kansas @ No. 3 Texas (-16.5) / 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Wes: Texas
Jeremy: Kansas
Reuse: Texas
Rowe: Kansas
Palmer: Texas

No. 13 LSU (-2.5) @ No. 20 Ole Miss / 6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Wes: Ole Miss
Jeremy: LSU
Reuse: LSU
Rowe: Ole Miss
Palmer: LSU

No. 11 Notre Dame (-6) @ No. 17 Duke / 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Wes: Notre Dame
Jeremy: Duke
Reuse: Notre Dame
Rowe: Notre Dame
Palmer: Notre Dame

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