It’s the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, and it’s earlier than usual on the schedule.  

Auburn (1-0) beat Kentucky 29-13 in its opener, and sophomore Bo Nix passed for three touchdowns while spreading the ball out to six different receivers. The Tigers are always unpredictable under coach Gus Malzahn, but this would be a statement game.  

MORE: Week 5 picks against the spread

Georgia (1-0) beat Arkansas 37-10 in its opener, but Kirby Smart has yet to name a starting quarterback for Week 2. D’Wan Mathis, Stetson Bennett and JT Daniels — a USC transfer who was medically cleared to play — all are options for the Bulldogs.  

This SEC crossover showdown will have College Football Playoff implications. Here’s everything you need to know about the Auburn-Georgia matchup at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.  

Auburn vs. Georgia odds   

Spread: Georgia by 6.5    Over/under: 45  Point spread odds: Auburn -102, Georgia –118  

Source: BetOnline.ag

Auburn vs. Georgia all-time series  

The Bulldogs lead a tight all-time series 60-56-8. Georgia has won the past three meetings — which included the 2017 SEC championship game — by an average of 15 points per game. This marks the sixth time both teams are ranked in the top 10. Auburn is 4-1 in those games, all regular-season victories.  

— Georgia should benefit from the home-field advantage. Auburn has lost the past six meetings at Sanford Stadium. The Tigers’ last victory at Georgia was a 31-30 shootout on Nov. 12, 2005.  

— The Bulldogs are 11-15 ATS as a home favorite under Smart since 2016, including a 2-5 record ATS in their past seven games. Georgia did cover on the road at Arkansas in Week 4.  

— Auburn, always tough to predict, is 7-7 ATS as a road underdog under Malzahn since 2013. That includes a 2-2 ATS record in the past three seasons.   

Three things to watch  

— Georgia QBs. Who will Smart roll with this in game? Mathis struggled as the starter last week before Bennett steadied the offense. Daniels is a wild card. The hitches in an abbreviated offseason showed under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, but this is a big spot for those quarterbacks. Jake Fromm was 42 of 70 and averaged 162 passing yards per game with seven TDs and one interception in the past three wins against Auburn. Smart might have to ask his quarterback to do more in this one.  

— Big-game Bo? Nix played in four games against top-10 teams last season, and he completed 71 of 150 passes (47.3 percent) with four TDs and four interceptions in those games. Nix threw 50 times in the loss to Georgia last season. Look for a more balanced attack, and if Nix can continue connecting with Seth Williams, who had six catches for 112 yards and two TDs last week, then the Tigers might be able to make Georgia uncomfortable early.  

— Pressure defense. Both defenses generated two sacks in their respective openers. Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning are working with talented defenses, but how will they come up with the big play? Those three games have been relatively turnover-free, with each team committing a total of two turnovers in those games. It might only take a few plays to make that difference.  

Stat that matters   

103.3 

Auburn has averaged just 103.3 rushing yards per game in the past three losses to Georgia. Nix will need the running game behind him to have a chance, and the Tigers will have to slow down Georgia’s rushing attack, which averaged 229.3 yards per game in those three victories. 

Prediction   

Smart and Malzhan have thrown some verbal jabs back and forth, and that adds some heat to what should be a tight matchup. Auburn took advantage of Kentucky’s turnovers in Week 1, and Georgia’s quarterbacks must protect the ball. The Bulldogs build an early lead and hold off a Nix rally in the fourth quarter to pull out a big early-season victory.  

Final score   

Georgia 27, Auburn 23