Auburn Can't Afford Another Quiet Performance From Two Key Defenders

The Auburn Tigers defense has shown some encouraging things through the first five games of the season, but there are still a few players who haven't consistently performed at the level that many have expected.

And with a very tough battle on the road this weekend to face No. 1 Georgia without their best defensive player and Xavier Atkins, two players in particular need to step up. Those two players are Eric Winters and Jared Smith.

Winters was arguably Auburn's best defensive player in the season-opening victory over Baylor. He was constantly around the football, making tackles and creating problems for the Bears. His memorable tackle at the 1-yard line to keep Baylor from successfully picking up the two-point conversion is something many Auburn fans will remember all year. 

But we haven't seen that same level of consistency since.

That's not to say Winters has played poorly throughout the season. He's had some good moments, but Auburn needs more than occasional flashes from someone with his talent.

Especially against Georgia.

The Bulldogs have a balanced offense that can attack defenses in several different ways, and Winters will likely be asked to contribute against both the run and the pass.

Whether that's making tackles in space or helping defend Georgia's talented tight ends, Auburn needs Winters to be one of its most dependable players Saturday.

And I think the same can be said about Smith. The lack of additions this offseason at the position put potentially some unfair pressure on Smith, but it's something he has to handle. 

Smith entered the season with expectations of becoming one of Auburn's most disruptive pass rushers, and he showed why against Baylor.

But since that performance, he hasn't consistently made the kind of impact Auburn needs from its pass rush. 

That's particularly concerning considering how much the Tigers have relied on their linebackers to create pressure.

Atkins has been one of Auburn's most productive defenders when it comes to getting into opposing backfields, and his absence creates another problem for DJ Durkin.

Auburn needs someone else to make those plays.

Smith has the physical ability to become that player, but Saturday would be a pretty good time to start showing it consistently.

Auburn isn't going to beat Georgia simply by playing solid defense for a few possessions. The Tigers need negative plays, pressure on Gunner Stockton, and defenders who can prevent explosive gains.

And while it would be unfair to put all that responsibility on Winters and Smith, they're two players who have already demonstrated their potential.

Now Auburn needs that potential to translate into consistent production.

If the Tigers are going to have any chance of pulling off the upset in Athens, their most talented defensive players have to start looking like their most productive ones.