The Auburn Tigers gave No. 5 Georgia a game early, but the Bulldogs proved too much on Saturday in a convincing 27-10 victory between the hedges in another installation of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

Auburn slipped to 6-4 (3-4 SEC) with games remaining against Liberty and then the Iron Bowl against Alabama in the regular-season finale.

There was much more to be concerned about in regards to Saturday’s performance than were positives, though both were evident. Here are five things that need improvement from Saturday’s game, and three things I liked about it.

Things I liked

1. Early defensive stands: The Tigers defense had some teeth early, holding the Bulldogs to field goals on their initial drives, both ending in the red zone. It was significant at the time because it preserved Auburn’s 7-6 lead early in the second quarter.

2. Kept fighting: If last week proved anything it is that you never give up regardless of the score or time remaining. The Tigers did keep fighting Saturday, with Jamel Dean intercepting a pass at the Auburn 19-yard line to keep the score 20-10 and keep alive the possibility of another late surge.

3. WR Ryan Davis the go-to receiver: The reliable senior was once again Auburn’s most productive receiver. With 13 catches for 72 yards, Davis became the Tigers’ all-time career reception leader with 165. He and QB Jarrett Stidham also became the most productive pass tandem in Auburn history with 141 completions, passing Tiger legends Pat Sullivan and Terry Beasley (1969-71). Last season, Davis set the Auburn single-season record for receptions (84).

Things that need improvement

1. Stidham’s accuracy in the red zone: Stidham’s final stats were pretty impressive; 24-for-36 for 163 yards. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Stidham had a wide open receiver in the end zone that he badly overthrew. It cost the Tigers six points and they settled for a field goal. He also threw behind receivers on a couple of passes and badly missed high with a screen pass that appeared to be set up for big yardage.

2. Third- and fourth-down defense: The Tigers defense just couldn’t get off the field. Georgia converted on 5-of-8 third down plays in the first half alone, and was also successful on its lone fourth-down attempt. For the game, the Bulldogs were good on 8-of-14 third-down situations.

3. Run game: In four games this season, the Tigers failed to break 100 yards rushing. On Saturday they reached the century mark, but just barely, finishing with 102 rushing yards. For a program built on a strong running game, this is a baffling statistic and one they must improve over the final two regular-season games and a bowl.

4. TOP: Auburn didn’t have the ball enough in the first half to remain competitive. Georgia held onto it for 20:02 compared to Auburn’s 9:58, and the Dawgs led 20-10 at halftime. The Tigers closed that gap somewhat in the second half but not nearly enough to make a run at the SEC East champs. Georgia held the final edge in time of possession 38:15-21:45.

5. Run defense: Georgia came in as the SEC’s top rushing team, averaging 234 yards per game. But not since Mississippi State QB Nick Fitzgerald and company rushed for 349 yards had Auburn given up as much yardage on the ground as it did on Saturday. The Bulldogs churned out 303 rushing yards, their second consecutive 300-plus-yard game. If the Tigers can’t run the ball or stop the opposition from piling up rushing yardage, they’ll be hard pressed to see another “W” this season.