Georgia vs. Auburn Preview: Tigers defense could keep game interesting vs. Carson Beck

The Georgia Bulldogs (3-1) will be looking to bounce back at home this week after losing 41-34 to Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Georgia will welcome the Auburn Tigers (2-3) "Between the Hedges" for the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry game dating back to 1892. The Dawgs and Tigers have met 128 times with the Dawgs currently leading the series 64–56–8.

Auburn is also coming off a narrow loss after falling 27-21 to No. 14 Oklahoma last weekend.

The Dawgs are heavy favorites by 24.5 points, leaving the Tigers as road underdogs. The over/under for his game is set at 52.5 points.

It was a tale of two halves last Saturday for Georgia and the hope is that they play like they did in the second half for all four quarters this time rather than letting their opponent get a hot start.

Georgia's Carson Beck enters the game with 1,119 yards and 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions on the season, all of his turnovers coming against Bama as he struggled against their pass rush. Now, he'll face a tough Auburn secondary that has allowed only four passing touchdowns for under a total of 200 yards. Aside from last weekend, Georgia's defense had been in lockdown mode and is currently allowing an average of 14.8 points per game. Before Week 5, the Dawgs had not allowed a single touchdown.

In Auburn, Peyton Thorne has tossed for 1,038 yards 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions in four games. Thorne was benched for redshirt freshman Hank Brown following Auburn's Week 2 loss to Cal where he threw four interceptions. He looked better last week against Oklahoma where he passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns, but threw one costly interception. Thorne will get the start against Georgia, but if things go south quickly, it's obvious that Hugh Freeze isn't afraid to switch things up at quarterback. The Dawgs will need to be prepared for both quarterbacks.

While Auburn doesn't really have it figured out on offense, their defense is the much stronger side of the ball and is giving up 18.8 points per game. Last week's 27 points versus the Sooners was the most they've allowed in five weeks. It is worth noting that they have yet to see a talented offense like Georgia's.

Many have zero faith in Auburn to come to Athens and beat the Dawgs. I wouldn't bet my money on Aurbun to win this year either. But I do think they'll keep things close. Everyone brings their A-game against Georgia, who aren't the only ones looking to rebound on Saturday.

Related: Kirby Smart's latest viral locker room speech proves Georgia Bulldogs will be just fine