ATHENS — It will be strength-on-strength when the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” kicks off Saturday night in Sanford Stadium.
Georgia sophomore offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who might represent the offense’s best hope for first-team All-SEC postseason honors, said the Bulldogs know what to expect.
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“Eery year, their front seven is very talented, very physical,” said Thomas, who along with Jake Fromm made the FWAA Freshman All-American team last season. “We’re definitely focused on this week and focused on Auburn.”
The Tigers have allowed just three opponents to score rushing touchdowns, and they rank third in the nation with just five rushing touchdowns allowed this season.
There has been plenty of chatter about the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs (8-1, 6-1) qualifying for the SEC Championship Game with the 34-17 win at Kentucky last Saturday.
But the No. 24 Tigers (6-3, 3-3) and the 7 p.m. game at Sanford Stadium (TV: ESPN, Radio: WSB 750 AM, 95.5 FM) has stayed at the forefront in Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall.
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“Every week we have to come with the same approach,” Thomas explained, echoing the sentiment of Georgia coach Kirby Smart.
“When you become lackadaisical, that’s when you slip up, and as a team we’re going to get better, because where we want to be, we have to win out the rest of the year.”
Thomas has worked to improve even as he has battled through ankle injuries since the second game of the season against Missouri.
Smart revealed after Thomas was beat for a costly sack in the 36-16 loss at LSU that the Bulldogs’ left tackle was not completely healthy.
Thomas, still, expects the most out of himself each week, explaining how that’s his driving force.
“I put stress on myself, I want to be the best every game,” Thomas said, “so that’s how I put pressure on myself.”
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