Georgia Bulldogs vs. Auburn Tigers Prediction & Game Preview - 1/19/2022

Time: 9 p.m. ET

Venue: Auburn Arena, Auburn, AL

Where to watch: ESPNU

DraftKings: Auburn -22

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: Auburn -22

Georgia: 5-12 (0-4 SEC)

No. 2 Auburn: 16-1 (5-0 SEC)

Double-digits spreads in the 20s tend to scare me, but not when the team that’s favored is playing like the best team in college basketball. I like the Auburn Tigers returning home against the five-win Georgia Bulldogs and making easy work in this game.

Auburn has opened up at some books as 22-point favorites over the Bulldogs, which almost seems like a crime during conference season. But that just shows how good the Tigers have been vaulting up to No. 2 in the country.

Just think that Auburn has not lost since a double-overtime thriller to UConn on Nov. 24. During their 13-game winning streak, the Tigers have won by double digits nine times and have scored at least 80 points eight times.

That eighth time was Saturday against the Ole Miss Rebels, winning 80-71 despite trailing 44-38 at halftime. Walker Kessler finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, carrying the load while leading scorer Jabari Smith had just 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting.

"Kessler was dominant. We don't win without him," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "He rebounded, blocked shots and finished around the rim. It was just a great job. And we needed it tonight."

The beef of Auburn’s schedule is fairly favorable for the second half. As of now, the only ranked opponent for the next month is No. 12 Kentucky and that game will be at home. The Tigers are one of the more balanced teams in the country with a top-25 offense and allowing just under 66 points per game.

Auburn has been dominant in the books this season, going 12-3 against the spread as a favorite along with 15-0 straight up. While Auburn has gone 8-0 in all home games, the Tigers are 7-1 ATS at home and 5-0 ATS against conference opponents.

Georgia just has not been good, going 6-11 against the spread this season and are 5-18 straight up on the road over the past three seasons. The good news for the Bulldogs is they’re 12-11 ATS in their past 23 road games. But this season, the Bulldogs find themselves just 2-8 in games after failing to cover. That 22 points they’re getting would normally be reason to take the Bulldogs, but I believe in how good Auburn is. Auburn by 24

Georgia is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 following an ATS loss.

The over is 16-5-1 in Georgia's last 22 road games against a team with a winning home record.

Auburn is 4-0 ATS in its last four home games against a team with a losing road record.

Auburn is 6-0 ATS in its last six.

PG: Aaron Cook

SG: Kario Oquendo
SF: Jaxon Etter
PF: Noah Baumann
C: Braelen Bridges

PG: K.D. Johnson

SG: Zep Jasper
SF: Allen Flanigan
PF: Jabari Smith II
C: Walker Kessler