Second quarter blog

0:51 left in first half, Auburn ties it at 21

Georgia was looking great early in the quarter, but couldn't quite keep the pressure on Auburn, which has now tied it.

The worrisome thing for the Bulldogs is that Cameron Newton has re-discovered his downfield passing game. That could open up a lot of things for the Auburn offense in the second half, if Georgia doesn't get back to constant pressure and solid pass coverage.

The Georgia offense also stumbled on its past two drives, after making it look easy on its first three. So as the sun begins to set over Jordan-Hare, we look poised to enter halftime with a tie game.

Prior to the game, that would have seemed great for Georgia. But at this point Auburn would seem to have the momentum.

7:00 left in second quarter, Georgia still ahead

Georgia's defense, and its different looks, are giving Cam Newton fits. The powerful Auburn offense has now been stopped three times in five drives, as the Bulldogs are getting a lot of push from the outside, but also good coverage.

Newton and the Tigers also appear to have nothing in the vertical passing game. (At least yet.)

Meanwhile, as I type this Aaron Murray has just completed another long pass to A.J. Green, setting up a third-and-short. It leads me to this thought:

No matter what happens the rest of the way here, can a team with the kind of defense Auburn has be worthy of a national championship?

12:26 left in second quarter: Georgia leads 21-14

Shootout. We've got a shootout.

Cameron Newton wake up from his two-series slumber to pass and run Auburn down to the goal-line, where Onterrio McCaleb pushed it in.

Georgia's defense had some good stops on that drive, and seemingly everyone is making a contribution: Abry Jones and Darryl Gamble have made tackles behind the line.

But Newton has too much talent to be held down every drive. Still, for Georgia to hold Auburn to 14 points over four drives - with an interception to set up an offensive score - Todd Grantham will take that.

Still, it'll be incumbent on the Georgia offense to keep doing what it has been. The good news in that regard for the Bulldogs is it hasn't just been A.J. Green. They're running the ball too. A well-rounded, juggernaut offense is one that can keep rolling up the points the rest of the day.