Georgia Moneyball

Kirby Smart’s to-do list for the open week before Florida has two items, and a nap isn’t one of them.

Auburn beat No. 1 Georgia 27-24 on a field goal as time expired, and the Bulldogs gave it plenty of help.

Auburn leads Georgia 24-14 midway through the third quarter in Sanford Stadium, and the Bulldogs are throwing more than anybody planned.

No. 1 Georgia is a 19.5-point favorite over a 3-2 Auburn team without its best linebacker. The numbers like the Dawgs; the series says don’t get comfortable.

KJ Bolden is ruled out, so Georgia puts its last line of defense in new hands against an Auburn quarterback who would rather run than ask permission.

Georgia expects Nate Frazier back for Auburn, which settles the week’s biggest question in Athens and leaves the Tigers with one long shot: a fast start against a team that wins first quarters.

Georgia’s All-American safety KJ Bolden went from healthy to doubtful in a day, and the timing is bad, because Auburn is bringing a quarterback who would rather run than throw.

Sixteen stuffs on 180 designed runs. That’s the line’s best number in four seasons. On the other side, opponents have gained nearly two more yards per play over the last three games than the first three. Georgia’s numbers before Auburn comes to Athens.

Byrum Brown spent the bye week watching Georgia beat Alabama, and he came away saying Auburn has the right plan, which is what every visitor to Athens says on Thursday.

Georgia’s All-American safety KJ Bolden showed up on Wednesday night’s injury report as questionable, and nobody said why, two days before a running quarterback comes to Athens.