For the 129th time, the Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers square off on the gridiron, renewing acquaintances in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, the one that got it all started back in 1892 at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. The Dogs have won seven straight against the Tigers, including a 27-20 thriller last year at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and 16 of the last 19 and lead the all-time series 64-56-8.
Extensive research is not required to discover that few teams in the grand history of the mighty Southeastern Conference have been charged with facing the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers on back to back weeks.
That is Georgia’s challenge.
Of course, there are no tears or violins to be heard from the loveliest village on the Plains, as the Tigers are coming off a mega showdown of their own against SEC newcomer Oklahoma, which has a pretty steeped tradition of its own. Auburn came up short 27-21 to the Sooners at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers controlled most of the game, and led 21-10 in the fourth quarter. But a costly pick-six gave the Sooners the lead, and Oklahoma held on. It was the lone turnover of the game for Auburn. In the Tigers two previous losses to California and Arkansas, Auburn had five turnovers in both of those contests.
The Tigers head to Athens with a record of 2-3 and 0-2 in the SEC.
Turnovers were a major factor in Georgia’s 41-34 loss to Alabama this past Saturday. Three interceptions and a fumble were costly, as the Bulldogs incredible 42 game regular season winning streak came to an end against the Crimson Tide.
The Bulldogs are now 3-1, and 1-1 in the SEC, winners of 49 of the last 52 games.
Both Kirby Smart and Hugh Freeze will have the focus on the turnover battle. The Bulldogs also are hungry for better offensive production in the first half. Georgia scored six against Clemson in the first half of the 34-6 season opening victory in Atlanta. In the 13-12 victory at Kentucky, the Dogs trailed 6-3 at intermission. It was 30-7 in Alabama’s favor last weekend at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Georgia has been tremendous on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium winning 26 straight games in Athens under Smart’s watch. Georgia last lost Between the Hedges to South Carolina 20-17 in double overtime in 2019, a game in which the Bulldogs had four turnovers and missed two field goals.
Make no mistake, Georgia is still clearly in the playoff picture, but facing one of the nation’s most daunting schedules, the margin for error to earn one of those 12 berths is now more narrow. A victory over the Tigers is vital to championship and postseason dreams.