Georgia QB Stetson Bennett in line for Auburn departure, faces 3 major challenges

ATHENS – Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett is set to start at Auburn after taking the vast majority of the first team’s offensive reps this week with JT Daniels recovering from a strained lat muscle.

Bennett has started two games this season and has played four for the 2nd-seeded Bulldogs (5-0), who enter today’s rivalry game with Auburn (4-1) ranked 18th overall as that favorite of 15 points.

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Georgia coach Kirby Smart admitted he could make a “playing time decision” last week, but Smart also said training reps weighed heavily on player availability.

No matter who is under center, the UGA’s dominant defense – the country’s first in scoring defense, total defense and passing efficiency, and fourth in run defense – is what allows the Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Bulldogs fans breathe easier.

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The quarterback position has been shaky with Smart forced to switch as Daniels has only played nine of 20 quarterbacks this season.

Bennett, who secured the duties of No.2 QB with strong playing and training performances, comes off an effective effort in last Saturday’s 37-0 win over Arkansas at Sanford Stadium.

Auburn will be different, and it’s worth noting that Bennett will be working with red-shirted freshman center Sedrick Van Pran, who also didn’t deal with a hostile and loud crowd.

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The second major challenge is that the Tigers’ defensive front is more suited to stopping the run than Arkansas. That means Bennett will likely be asked to throw more shots than in last week’s game against the Razorbacks, which was underway soon after UGA built a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Arkansas played a three-way front that invited the Bulldogs to run, and that’s exactly what smart, offensive coordinator Todd Monken asked his troops to do.

Bennett had 7 for 11 passes for 72 yards and had 3 carries for 16 yards, including a nifty 9-yard first down run.

The Georgian running backs, meanwhile, split the other 53 carries and scored 257 yards between them, Zamir White leading with 16 attempts for 68. yards.

The Bulldogs will be looking to establish the race again, but Smart knows it could be more difficult.

“They can stop the run and they can run the ball offensively,” Smart said this week. “There can’t be so many bad things that can happen when you run it and stop running.”

The third major challenge is that Bennett may have to rely more on his running backs as targets to catch passes with the Bulldogs’ tight ends.

Smart said Georgia’s receiving corps was grappling with injuries and said on his show some may be forced to line up in different positions.

RELATED: Kirby Shares Three Biggest Concerns For Auburn’s Game, Top Injury List

George Pickens (knee) is expected to be out, and Arian Smith (shin), Dominick Blaylock (hamstrings), Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (ankle) and Kearis Jackson (knee) may be limited or not playing at all.

That doesn’t leave much for Bennett to work on the perimeter, and it could allow Auburn to stick together and apply more pressure.

Bennett led Georgia against Auburn last season 27-6 in his first career UGA start, completing 17 of 28 passes for 240 yards and a non-interception touchdown.