Georgia has won nine straight in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, and Alex Golesh's rested Auburn team arrives in Athens trying to change that
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia just won at Alabama. Now comes the oldest rivalry in the Deep South.
No. 1 Georgia (6-0, 4-0 SEC) hosts Auburn (3-2, 1-2) at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in the 131st meeting of a series that began on Feb. 20, 1892, when Auburn won 10-0. Georgia leads 66-56-8 and has won nine straight, including 20-10 last season.
Kirby Smart, in his 11th season, has the nation's top offense by ESPN's efficiency measure. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has completed 95 of 124 passes, more than 76 percent, for 1,298 yards, with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. Georgia beat Alabama 20-17 in Tuscaloosa last week. The defense, led by Raylen Wilson, ranks 12th.
The Bulldogs are banged up, though. KJ Bolden is out, along with several receivers on the reserve list.
Auburn comes in rested after an open week. Alex Golesh, in his first season, has a quarterback who can hurt defenses two ways: Byrum Brown has thrown for 1,055 yards and run for 344 more, with four rushing touchdowns. He has also thrown seven interceptions, and that's a dangerous number against a defense this good. Keshaun Singleton leads the receivers with 29 catches. Auburn's defense, 23rd in ESPN's efficiency index, will be without sack leader Xavier Atkins. Elijah Melendez, who has 43 tackles, has to be everywhere. For the Tigers to pull off an upset, they likely need to win the turnover battle and keep Stockton off the field with long drives.
The Tigers' two losses came 44-39 to Florida and 24-14 at Tennessee, and their wins over Baylor and Vanderbilt were both one-score games.
Both programs have rich histories. Auburn claims nine national titles and three Heisman Trophy winners: Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson and Cam Newton. Georgia won national titles in 1980 under Vince Dooley and back-to-back in 2021 and 2022 under Smart. Herschel Walker won the Heisman in 1982.
Sanford Stadium seats 93,033, and it should be loud. Gusts near 27 mph could affect the passing game.
Georgia goes to Jacksonville to face Florida on Oct. 31. Auburn hosts LSU next week.
Georgia's efficient offense should be the difference, while Auburn's defense and rest keep the Tigers in it early.
Our call: Georgia 33, Auburn 14.