These 5 Things That Must Go Right for Auburn To Upset No. 1 Georgia

The Auburn Tigers face their toughest challenge of the season yet on Saturday, when they travel to Athens to take on the No. 1 team in the country, the Georgia Bulldogs.

And considering what we've seen from Auburn through its first five games, pulling off the upset won't be easy.

But that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Here are five things I think need to happen for Auburn to have a chance.

Auburn can't afford another slow start like we saw against Tennessee or really any team this season.

The Tigers opened that game with four consecutive three-and-outs, putting unnecessary pressure on their defense.

Against Georgia, Auburn needs to establish some offensive momentum early.

That doesn't necessarily mean scoring touchdowns on the first two possessions, but Auburn needs to move the football and keep its defense off the field.

Getting Omar Mabson involved and giving Byrum Brown some easier opportunities could help. Stopping the dumb false-start penalties will also help.

Brown has thrown seven interceptions through five games, and Auburn can't afford to give Georgia additional possessions.

But avoiding turnovers is only half the equation.

Auburn's defense needs to create some opportunities, too.

Whether that's forcing Gunner Stockton into a mistake or recovering a fumble, the Tigers need to find ways to give their offense favorable field position.

Auburn probably isn't going to win this game if it loses the turnover battle, I can almost guarentee it.

Auburn's offensive line has struggled against SEC competition, and Georgia presents another difficult matchup.

I'm not expecting the Tigers to dominate Georgia's defensive front.

But they need to hold their own.

That means protecting Brown, creating some running lanes, and avoiding the pre-snap penalties that have hurt Auburn throughout the season.

If Auburn is constantly facing third-and-long, it's going to be a long afternoon.

All eyes will be on Cole Best, who has been heavily scrutinized over the bye week, and as the leader of this offensive line, he has to prove they belong.

This might be Auburn's biggest challenge defensively.

The Tigers have struggled to contain opposing rushing attacks, particularly when teams have attacked the edges.

Florida rushed for 262 yards against Auburn, and Tennessee created similar problems.

Now Auburn faces another talented rushing attack without Xavier Atkins.

The Tigers don't necessarily need to shut Georgia's running game down completely.

But they can't allow explosive runs or consistently give up five or six yards on first down. This may be the most important factor.

And finally, Auburn probably needs a little luck.

Maybe Georgia fumbles and Auburn recovers it.

Maybe a tipped pass turns into an interception, or a punt takes a favorable bounce.

Maybe Georgia misses a field goal in a critical situation.

Those are the kinds of plays that can completely change a game.

Auburn can't rely on luck to make up for poor execution, but the Tigers need to take advantage of every opportunity they get.

Because even if Auburn plays its best game of the season, beating Georgia in Athens will be difficult.

But if these five things happen, I think the Tigers could make things considerably more interesting than most people expect.