SEC East Within Dawgs Grasp This Saturday

FOOTBALL

Two days after keeping its win streak alive against a non-conference opponent, the Georgia football team began preparations on Monday for Saturday’s game in Athens against Auburn.

The Dawgs have won seven straight, including last week's victory over New Mexico State. Five of the wins have come against Southeastern Conference opponents, allowing the Dawgs to move into first place in the SEC's Eastern Division.

The 14th-ranked Dawgs (7-2, 5-1 SEC) will host No. 24 Auburn (6-3, 4-2) on Saturday. CBS will televise the game, which will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

"Everybody's in good spirits, no doubt," coach Mark Richt said following the practice. "It was a pretty night, nice and cool, and it's that time of year where you can get a little more energy. With the wins that we've had and knowing what's at stake and knowing we're finally in a position to control it, I think the guys are feeling pretty good about it.

"We've got to earn it with practice. Tuesday is going to be in full pads and we're going to have to have a practice that gets us better in the fundamentals of blocking, tackling, just learning assignments. The scout teamers have got to do their part. It takes everybody to win, and that's what we're hoping to get done tomorrow."

Richt said the captains for the Auburn game will be center Ben Jones, offensive tackle Cordy Glenn, defensive end Abry Jones and cornerback/returner Brandon Boykin.

South Carolina plays Florida Saturday in their final SEC game of the season, a win by South Carolina and a loss by the Dawgs would have the Gamecocks backing into the east championship according to coach Steve Spurrier. A loss by South Carolina and a win by the Dawgs would put the Dawgs in the championship game. If both South Carolina and the Dawgs win on Saturday, the Dawgs would need to defeat Kentucky on the 19th to claim the title.