From 1977 through 2001, Georgia was 2-11 against Auburn in Sanford Stadium. Let that sink in. The Bulldogs wins over that stretch came in 1981, a 24-13 victory over the Tigers clinching a second straight Southeastern Conference crown for the reigning national champions, and ten years later, in 1991, Georgia held on and prevailed 37-27. There was a lot of heartache on those November Saturday’s against the ancient rival. Red and Black dreams of Southeastern Conference championships, cracks at national titles and major bowl berths, were all undone by Auburn. Some would be great seasons became merely good because the Bulldogs just flat out could not beat Auburn Between the Hedges. And my goodness, they sure did do it with a lot of players from our state. Even more salt in the “what if” football wounds.

One of Georgia’s best ever safeties, All-SEC and Academic All-American (in the prestigious Terry College of Business mind you) Kirby Paul Smart was a part of two of those losses during his playing days. In 1995, Smart’s redshirt freshman year, the Tigers beat the Bulldogs 37-31 in Athens. Soon after, a new era of Georgia football would begin. Two years later, in Jim Donnan’s second season at the Bulldog helm, and fresh off a 37-17 victory over Florida – a game in which Smart picked off a pair of Gator passes – Takeo Spikes and Auburn beat the Dogs 45-34 for the second loss of an outstanding 10-2 top ten season.

To be a championship team, you have to win at home. There were too many years where the Dogs lost too many Between the Hedges. Lots of heartbreakers. Well, Coach King Kirby Smart has turned the tables and Georgia has been downright dominant Between the Hedges. And the Bulldogs have been successful against Auburn dating back to Mark Richt’s tenure in Athens.

There are some very impressive streaks that the Bulldogs desperately want to and need to keep rolling Saturday on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.

Georgia has won a school record 26 consecutive home games. It’s the longest active home winning streak in the country. Georgia’s previous mark for successive victories Between the Hedges was 24. It began in the 1980 national championship season, and it ended in a mega showdown top five matchup in 1983 when 8-1 Auburn topped 8-0-1 Georgia, 13-7. The year before, it should be noted, was my favorite ever Bulldog win over Auburn. Larry Munson was at his magnificent best. I was ten, making loops through our den, living room and foyer, living and dying with every breath uttered by the mighty Munson. My dad counted the laps, it was over a hundred on Forest Pines Drive, Statesboro, GA.

“Hunker Down You Guys. I know I’m asking a lot you guys, but Hunker Down One More Time. The Dawgs broke it up. They broke it up. Ronnie Harris and Jeff Sanchez. Oh Look at the Sugar Falling out of the Sky.”

The final that day at Jordan-Hare, Georgia-19, Auburn-14 to make it 10-0 and three straight Southeastern Conference crowns. Later that afternoon, I tasted my first dark liquor drink. We were at the home of our family friends, the Bentley’s, watching LSU – Mississippi State, and I was so gleeful over Georgia’s heart-racing triumph. I grabbed what I thought was my dad’s straight Coca-Cola, and it had a nice dose of 93 octane gasoline known as Wild Turkey. My dad didn’t need to tell me, but he reminded me anyway to “ask before sipping someone else’s drink.” Message received.

Back to the streaks.

The Bulldogs, starting with the 28-7 2017 SEC Championship Game victory over the Tigers, which vaulted Georgia to the College Football Playoff and Rose Bowl, have beaten Auburn seven consecutive times. This is part of an astounding run of success against the Tigers. Dating back to underdog Georgia’s 37-15 upset of once-beaten Auburn in 2006, a year after a piercing 31-30 gut punch Between the Hedges, the Bulldogs have won 16 of the past 19 games against Auburn.

To put into perspective, after that sad night in 2005, Auburn led the all-time series 53-48-8.

Georgia now leads the all-time series with the Tigers 64-56-8.

Incredible.

That’s one, as I’ve said many times, if you would have told me back in the late 80’s – back when I was really into Georgia football – when Auburn beat my beloved Bulldogs seven times in eight years from 1983 – 1990 (Glory Glory to the 20-16 upset triumph between the hoses in 1986 when Steve Boswell was the hero), I have a hard time imagining such a run against the Tigers.

And how about this one. For the school that could not seem to beat this arch rival at home, dating back to the famed 45-20 Blackout victory in 2007, Georgia has won eight consecutive games against Auburn on the hallowed grounds of Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.

But eight straight, that’s quite a change from 2-11. A lot more happy walks up Baxter and Lumpkin hills.

But as Georgia’s future Hall of Fame coach is always quick to remind, “humility is just a week away.” You know the Dogs will get Auburn’s best shot. Georgia got it last year in a 27-20 comeback win.

Auburn would love to come into Athens, flip the script and begin a new streak of success, energizing the Tigers season while deflating the Bulldogs roadmap to further greatness in 2024.

If the Bulldogs can prevail, those streaks get a boost and all of this season’s dreams are still very much alive.