By the numbers: Historical context for Georgia’s loss and title hopes

Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) struggles for a five yard run during the second half  UGA lost to Auburn in a NCAA college football game at Auburn 40-17.   BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) struggles for a five yard run during the second half UGA lost to Auburn in a NCAA college football game at Auburn 40-17. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Georgia fell, and fell hard, on Saturday night, 40-17 at Auburn, and many of you may not wish to re-hash any of it. That’s perfectly understandable. For those who can bear it, hopefully some of these numbers will provide some insight and perspective, both for the game, the season and what remains to be done:

LEADING NUMBERS

23

Auburn’s margin of victory over Georgia was the largest over the No. 1 ranked team in the CFB rankings since the rankings began in 2014. In fact, the previous four losses by the No. 1 team were only by a combined 21 points. (Hat tip to ESPN Stats and Info.)

14

The largest loss by a team that went on to win a national championship since the BCS and playoff era began in 1998. Ohio State lost by 14 to Virginia Tech in 2014.

1

Clemson lost by a point last year to Pitt on Nov. 12, which is also the second-latest a team has lost a game and gone on to win the national title. LSU lost on Nov. 23, 2007, and went on to win the BCS title.

28

Georgia lost 35-7 to South Carolina in 2012 and still went on to be five yards away from beating Alabama in the 2012 SEC championship.

75

Years it had been since Auburn had beaten a top-2 ranked Georgia team. Auburn beat then-No. 1 UGA 27-13 on Nov. 21, 1942.

0

Georgia wins in four games against Auburn when both teams are ranked in the top 10. The other years were 1971, 1983 and 2004. This was the first time Auburn had come in as the lower-ranked top 10 team.

258

Auburn outgained Georgia 488-230, the second-largest yardage differential in the history of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. (The largest was 268 yards by Georgia in 1969.)

20

Auburn combined points in the first and third quarters: Six in the first and 14 in the third.

23

Previous combined points for Georgia opponents in the first (17) and third quarters (6).

5

Three-and-outs for Georgia’s offense, out of 13 drives.

144

Georgia yards on its first and final drives of the game, which resulted in its two touchdowns.

86

Georgia’s yards in its other 11 drives.

326

Georgia’s previous season-low for yards this season, against Notre Dame.

83

Georgia rushing yards at Auburn even if you take out sack yardage (37).

185

Georgia’s previous season-low for yards, also against Notre Dame.

10

Georgia’s longest rush of the day, by D’Andre Swift in the fourth quarter. It was Georgia’s only double-digit rush of the game.

48

Combined rushing yards for Nick Chubb (27) and Sony Michel (21), each of which was a season-low. They came in averaging a combined 185.1 rushing yards a game, and their previous combined low was 113, vs. Mississippi State.

167

Rushing yards for Kerryon Johnson, almost by himself the most rushing yards Georgia had given up all season. (Florida had 183.)

0

Georgia forced turnovers at Auburn, after forcing 14 in the first nine games.

3

Natrez Patrick tackles in his return from the four-game suspension.

SOME POSITIVE GEORGIA STATS

4,318

Nick Chubb’s career rushing yards, fourth all-time in the SEC. He passed Auburn’s Bo Jackson in the first quarter. There was no announcement about it at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

23.1

Mecole Hardman’s average return yards, including 43 yards on three punts and 142 yards on five kickoffs. (Yes, one of those punt returns was for 0 yard and was a lost fumble.)

96

Javon Wims’ receiving yards on just three catches.

8

Tackles-for-loss for Georgia, while Auburn had five.

44.6

Cameron Nizialek’s average punt yardage, on eight attempts.

GEORGIA UPDATED NATIONAL STAT RANKINGS

Notable changes are, well, noted.

47

Total offense (424.1 ypg) – Georgia was 31st entering the weekend.

10

Rushing offense (256 ypg) – down from ninth last week.

110

Passing offense (168.1).

14

Passing efficiency (154.45) – down three spots from last week.

29

Scoring offense (34.6 ppg).

5

Total defense (277.5 ypg) – down two spots from last week.

5

Rushing defense (103.8).

11

Passing defense (173.7 ypg) – down eight spots from last week.

5

Scoring defense (14.5) ppg – down two spots from last week.

89

Fewest penalties per game: Georgia is averaging 6.7 penalties per game.

70

Penalty yards per game (55.6).

KENTUCKY NATIONAL STAT RANKINGS

100

Total offense (361 ypg)

60

Rushing offense (168.5 ypg)

92

Passing offense (192.5 ypg)

48

Passing efficiency (137.23)

70

Scoring offense (27.9 ppg)

75

Total defense (404.2 ypg)

19

Rushing defense (121.9 ypg)

120

Pass defense (282.3 ypg)

59

Scoring defense (25.7 ppg).