By Donny Karr (@donnykarr, @1788sports)

The Georgia Bulldogs are headed to Atlanta and the SEC Championship for the first time since 2012 in what could be one of the most significant games for the Dawgs in the last decade. Georgia will get a rare rematch against hated rival, Auburn, after being on the bad end of a 40-17 beatdown just 3 weeks ago.

The Dawgs fell victim to the Tigers for a number of reasons, but mistakes on Georgia’s part played a costly role in their first and only loss of the regular season.

With tomorrow’s matchup looming over them, the Bulldogs look to redeem themselves and take home the SEC title for the first time since 2005. While many college football analysts and fans are banking on another win for Auburn, Georgia fans do have some hope of enjoying sweet revenge against the Tigers.

Here are some key factors that will determine which team emerges as the 2017 SEC Champs, and a guaranteed spot in the College Football Playoffs:

Change of Venue

Georgia lost to Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium—which is developing a reputation as one of the toughest places to play in the SEC. The Tigers beat their biggest rival, Alabama, just last week in the Iron Bowl on their home turf.

During the Dawgs’ last game against Auburn, it was apparent to everyone watching that Georgia was not prepared to take on a team like Auburn in a hostile road environment. After all, Georgia hasn’t played in a tough away game all year. The Bulldog faithful flooded Notre Dame’s stadium and created an atmosphere that was much closer to a neutral site than a road game against one of the most storied programs in college football.

This time, things might be tilted in Georgia’s favor as Dawg fans have been purchasing tickets for nearly a month after the Red and Black clinched the SEC East and punched their ticket to Atlanta.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be a completely different atmosphere for both teams, and could help the Dawgs keep their composure and not be rattled by deafening crowd noise.

Kerryon Johnson’s Status

Auburn’s star running back was a huge reason for the 40-17 whipping his team put on the Bulldogs a few weeks ago. Johnson suffered what an injury at some point in the game to his shoulder, and crumpled to the ground late in the 4th quarter last week against the Tide.

Gus Malzahn’s coaching staff has been tight-lipped about the injury, noting that Johnson has been practicing, but also telling reporters that it will likely be a “game-time decision” as to whether the Tigers’ stud ball carrier will take the field on Saturday.

If Johnson is out, it could take away a key piece of Auburn’s offensive attack. The Tigers do have other talented backs, but without Johnson, more pressure will be on quarterback Jarrett Stidham to make plays and put points on the board.

The Tables Have Turned

Georgia came into their last matchup with Auburn ranked as the top team in the nation. Despite pummeling many of their opponents all season, Georgia had not faced a team as tough as Auburn.

The Dawgs enjoyed praise from fans and analysts all season, and looked like one of the most dominant teams in the country before November 11. Auburn, on the other hand, had suffered crushing losses to Clemson and LSU prior to the game, and was largely written off as no threat to Georgia or Alabama.

Simply put, Auburn had something to prove to themselves, and to the rest of the nation. They had tasted defeat, and were eager to pull themselves back into the playoff discussion with a win over the top team in the country.

Now, the tables have completely turned for both teams. Georgia is viewed by many as a team that is not capable of stopping the Tigers’ momentum.

As for us at 1788 Sports, and many Dawg fans, we could not be happier about the way things stand going into this game. Georgia has all the motivation it needs to punch Auburn in the mouth, and fight like they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It’s clear that Auburn is one of the best—if not the best—team in the country. But Georgia is no slouch either. The Dawgs have shown the capability to dominate other teams this year. If Kirby Smart’s squad plays without the mental mistakes and penalties that hurt them in their loss to the Tigers, Georgia can come out with a big win tomorrow.

For the Dawgs to come out on top in this one, they must get their ground game going with senior running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. The Bulldogs were stuffed the entire game in their last matchup with Auburn, finishing with an embarrassing 46 yards rushing.

We hope to see an improved rushing attack this time, and a much more dynamic attack on offense. Bulldog fans were justifiably upset with Jim Chaney’s play calling in the loss to Auburn. Despite facing a relentless front 7 that kept Jake Fromm on the run or on the ground, Chaney did not call one single screen (the most effective antidote to a blitzing defense) pass during the entire game.

If Georgia can move the ball on the ground, their offense will be able to strike the Tigers with the play-action pass. If not, the game will again rest on Fromm’s shoulders—more specifically on his arm.

Prediction

Few people are betting on the Dawgs to win this one, and for good reason. In their previous matchup with Auburn, they simply did not play like a team that deserved a spot in the College Football Playoff.

We know they are capable of playing better and proving the rest of the nation, and Auburn, wrong. Dawg fans should hope that Auburn expects to play against the same team that took the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 11.

We watched as the Tigers’ players danced in celebration on the field mid-way through the 4th quarter. We watched Malzahn continue to pass the ball in the final minutes of the game when victory was clearly in his grasp. And we watch Gus’ goofy grin and heard his “we beat the dog crap out of them” comment after the game was over.

Georgia has all the motivation it needs to seek sweet revenge against Auburn. Dawg fans have endured the mocking of their team for 3 weeks while their team quietly beat up on Kentucky and Georgia Tech. We hope the Bulldogs have saved up a special kind of anger against Malzahn and his arrogant War Plainsman Tigers, or whatever mascot they can’t decide on.

We hope Auburn’s heads are still in the clouds after their Iron Bowl win. We hope the Tigers are looking past the Bulldogs and instead dreaming of being ranked No. 1 and sitting atop the College Football Playoff. We hope the huge dose of humility Georgia received 3 weeks ago will help drive the Dawgs to a big win.

The Bulldogs are going into this matchup in the best way possible—as underdogs.

Final Prediction:

Georgia 21

Auburn 20