Georgia gets Auburn this Saturday with the Bulldogs carrying plenty of momentum and a long winning streak in the rivalry.
No. 1 Georgia, 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the SEC, hosts Auburn at 3:30 p.m.
ET on ESPN. The Bulldogs are coming off a 20-17 win at Alabama, while the Tigers, now 3-2 and 1-2 in the conference, had their bye last week after a 24-14 loss at Tennessee in Week 5.
Kirby Smart called it "It's an awesome rivalry. It's one that was special to me growing up close to Auburn, and actually lived closer to there than any SEC school," before adding, "That's certainly been a very traditional rivalry, both places I worked and have so much respect for them.
Coach Golesh is doing a great job coming in taking over the program, installing his belief, his offense, those things. They have a lot of talent.
They have good football players. It's any given Saturday in this conference, as we see every week."
Georgia is trying to keep the same formula rolling after surviving in Tuscaloosa. Peyton Woodring KJ Bolden sack on third down forced an Alabama punt before Gunner Stockton and company killed the final 3:10 on the clock.
Stockton delivered a strong performance in that win, completing 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also added 12 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The matchup also comes with Georgia riding a nine-game winning streak against Auburn, matching the Bulldogs’ run from 1923-31 for the longest in series history.
Smart has gone 10-1 against Auburn in his career, with the lone loss coming in a 40-17 defeat at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2017.
In Other News...
Alabama Finally Responded After Raylen Wilson Postgame Confrontation
Georgias win at Bryant-Denny Stadium was already a big postgame moment, but it quickly turned into something else when a confrontation with linebacker Raylen Wilson was caught on video and spread across social media. Alabama later identified the fan involved and took action, a response that brought some closure to an incident that never should have followed the game into the tunnel area.
Kirby Smart had already pointed to Wilsons composure in the moment, a steady response from a player who had every reason to be rattled by the exchange. Alabama also condemned the behavior as unacceptable, and the episode now stands as another reminder of how quickly emotions can spill over after a high-profile SEC matchup, especially when the cameras keep rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Gunner Stockton Faces A Bigger Test As Georgia's Backfield Thins
Gunner Stockton is one of the names getting early Heisman buzz, but the more immediate concern for Georgia is the shape of its backfield as the schedule keeps getting tougher. The Bulldogs have leaned on Stockton to steady the offense, and his upcoming matchup now comes with added importance because the people around him may not be as plentiful as before.
For Georgia, that changes the equation in a hurry. A thinner backfield can put more on the quarterbacks plate, especially when the defense knows the game plan may have to be trimmed and every possession matters. Stockton has already put himself in the national conversation, but this next stretch will say a lot about how well he can carry it when the margins get tighter. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Secondary Suddenly Has A Bigger Auburn Concern Than Fans Expected
Georgias secondary got a little more complicated heading into Auburn week when the Bulldogs released an updated injury report that pushed safety KJ Bolden to doubtful. Georgia has dealt with absences elsewhere on the roster as well, but Boldens status stands out because it comes against an Auburn team the Bulldogs will want to handle cleanly on the back end. Even with the uncertainty, Georgia does have ways to shuffle pieces around in the defensive backfield if needed.
The bigger issue now is simply waiting for the next round of availability updates as the SEC continues to release injury reports before kickoff. Georgia will have to keep preparing for multiple scenarios, especially if Bolden cannot go, since the staff may need to adjust the secondary on short notice. For a defense that wants stability entering a rivalry game, the timing is not ideal. [Read more 🡒]