Auburn will head into Saturday’s Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry with a major break in Georgia’s backfield. Chauncey Bowens has been ruled out for the Week 7 matchup in Athens, and his availability beyond that is up in the air.
On3’s Pete Nakos first reported that Bowens will not play against Auburn. Thomas Goldkamp of On3 later wrote, “Georgia running back Chauncey Bowens will miss Saturday’s game against Auburn, and his status moving forward is in doubt, sources tell On3’s Pete Nakos.
Bowens suffered a lower-body injury during the Vanderbilt game. A return timetable is unclear at this time,”
Bowens was already out for Georgia’s 20-17 win over Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium last weekend. His absence adds another hit to a running back group that has been patched together all season.
Dante Dowdell is out for the year after a freak ATV incident. Nate Frazier was a late scratch against the Crimson Tide because of bruised ribs. That leaves Dwight Phillips Jr. in position to carry more of the load against Auburn, and he said this week he’s ready for whatever comes his way.
“I feel a little beat up, but through six games I bet everyone is feeling a little bruised up,” Phillips said this week. “I’ll rely on my treatment and feel better. Anything to help my team week in and week out, I’m willing to do.”
Auburn hasn’t exactly been spared either. The Tigers’ running back room has been hit hard, and Jeremiah Cobb is the only healthy back there who has seen regular action.
USF transfer Nykahi Davenport has not played this season, with no major injury reported. Omar Mabson II, meanwhile, dealt with a leg injury against Vanderbilt but still suited up for the Tennessee game and flashed with 62 yards on nine carries. He could be in line for a bigger role.
Baylor Bryson Washington was on the field against Tennessee but did not log a snap. He had been dealing with a soft-tissue injury in the offseason.
In Other News...
Auburn's Offense Has One Clear Problem Before Georgia
Auburns offense is carrying more than a little extra scrutiny into Saturdays matchup with No. 1 Georgia, and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon made clear the Tigers know where the problems have been. He pointed to quarterback Byrum Browns interceptions, the offenses sluggish adjustments and the pre-snap penalties that have repeatedly put Auburn behind schedule, three issues that have undercut drives and made life harder on an offense already trying to find its footing.
Gordon framed the fixes as a shared responsibility, with Brown needing cleaner decision-making, the coaching staff needing to react faster and the unit as a whole needing more discipline before the ball is snapped. Against a defense like Georgias, those details tend to matter even more, and Auburns margin for error is likely to be thin unless the Tigers can clean up the self-inflicted mistakes that have become too familiar. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Signee's Eligibility Fight Could Decide If He Ever Plays
Auburns 2026-27 roster plans may end up tied to a courtroom fight involving one of its signees. Mantas Rubtaviius, a former professional basketball player, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction so he can suit up for the Tigers next season, and the case centers on new NCAA guidance that takes a harder look at players with professional experience.
Rubtaviius argues that the current approach does not line up with past eligibility rulings, while Auburn has said it supports his legal right to seek clarity on where he stands. For now, the program is waiting on an October 16 court hearing that could determine whether this remains a paperwork issue or becomes a much bigger roster question for the Tigers. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Biggest Offensive Problem Isnt Going Away Quietly
Auburns bye week has come at a useful time, because the offensive line left a mess behind in the loss to Tennessee. Pre-snap penalties were a recurring problem, with every starter except one drawing at least one flag, and that kind of self-inflicted damage has made it harder for the Tigers to get any rhythm on offense. It has also been a frustrating backdrop for right tackle Stanton Ramil, who has graded out well as a blocker even while leading the team in penalties.
Ramil said the focus this week has been on getting more physical, cutting down the mistakes and tightening up communication before Georgia comes to town. Those are the basic fixes every line talks about in November, but Auburns numbers show the issue has lingered all season, with 22 offensive penalties already on the ledger. If the Tigers are going to stabilize their offense, the answer starts up front, and this is one area that has not gone away quietly. [Read more 🡒]