After losing to Alabama, Georgia looks to rebound as it faces rival Auburn this week at home.
The Bulldogs, now ranked No. 5 nationally, enter the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry with a 3-1 overall record and 1-1 mark in the SEC. The Tigers are 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
“As of yesterday, we got in super late on Sunday morning and then got started on Auburn,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart told the media on Monday. “They’ve got a really good football team. I’ve got a lot of respect for [head coach] Hugh [Freeze] and have gone against him for a lot of years.”
Georgia leads the all-time series with Auburn, 64-56-8, and has won the last seven games, dating back to 2017. The Bulldogs hope to extend their win streak to eight in the 129th meeting of the rivalry.
Auburn is coming off a loss to Oklahoma. The Sooners scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to win, 27-21.
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne arguably played his best game of the year, passing for 338 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception against Oklahoma. He’s progressed as a player while the season goes on.
“I think the guy is a good football player and a really good athlete. I don't respond to whatever noise or criticism they get from people because I watch what’s on tape. He played really well against us last year,” Smart said of Auburn’s dual-threat quarterback. In the three games I’ve seen him play this year, he has done a tremendous job of knowing when to go with his feet, when to make throws, and when to make decisions … When you have that combination along with the skill players they have, it becomes hard to defend.”
The Tigers have a dynamic receiving core featuring senior KeAndre Lambert-Smith, along with freshmen Cam Coleman, the nation’s No. 2 wideout, and Malcolm Simmons, a former four-star prospect in 2024.
“[They’re] fast, athletic, great size. They were phenomenal players coming out, and they have special attributes in terms of ball skills, playmaking abilities, speed, dynamic receivers, and you want to catch those guys. At the same time, they’re young,” Smart said of Auburn’s young receiving core. You want to catch them when they’re early in the season, not as they’re getting to be seasoned vets of the SEC. You can see these guys growing up on tape as they make more and more plays.”
Georgia’s defense will be tasked with stopping Thorne and his offensive weapons. The Bulldog defensive backfield let Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe pass for 374 yards and two scores last week.
Defensively, Auburn has struggled to keep offenses off the field, giving up 18.8 points per game this season. Regardless, Georgia’s offensive unit has struggled to start fast and score consistently. The Bulldogs have had slow offensive starts against Clemson, Kentucky, and Alabama.
“I think it’s very clear that we’ve got to execute and communicate better, but I also think we have the players to do it with,” Smart said. “I’m very confident in our offense and our offensive players.”
Georgia and Auburn will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Sanford Stadium on ABC.