Georgia vs Auburn Preview: Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry Renewed
by Chito Chibuye
Dawgs OTL Writer/ UGA Alumnus
Week 6 sets up to be an exciting one as our 10th ranked Georgia Bulldogs (4-1) head to Jordan-Hare for a night game against the Auburn Tigers (3-2) on the plains. We know that when it comes to rivalries, season rankings and records don’t mean anything once kickoff happens, and the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” is no exception. Obviously “Auburn Sucks”, but they have shown that they are a team to be respected as they have only lost to no.5 Texas A&M and no.6 Oklahoma on the road this season. What can the Dawgs expect from Hugh Freeze in his 3rd year as the HC of the Tigers?
(Classic Banger Auburn Sucks in link 🔥)
https://youtu.be/e9IRAgpF2f0?si=QWKbwNum1TtMsA-Q
Players to Watch: Key Matchups for Georgia vs Auburn
Cam Newton will be getting his jersey retired on Saturday night which will only add to the raucous atmosphere. He’s earned it, as the Heisman winning, National Champion, 3x Pro- Bowler, and 2015 NFL MVP had one hell of a career. Unfortunately for Auburn, he won’t be suiting up once the whistle blows. However, they are not devoid of players on either side of the ball.
Offensively, Jackson Arnold (transfer from Oklahoma) is another dual-threat QB that the Bulldogs will have to contain. He’s thrown zero interceptions so far in 2025 but that’s probably because spends most games on his back being sacked 20 times less than halfway through the schedule. WRs Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. (GT transfer) will look to cause problems for a UGA secondary that’s still trying to figure things out.
Coleman, the 6’3 200 lbs sophomore is one of the most talented WRs in the SEC and will look to take the top off this defense if the Dawgs can’t apply pressure. Singleton Jr, is a name DawgNation should recognize from the plays he made against us just last year with Tech. He’s their version of Dillon Bell and can wreck a game plan if he catches the football in space.
Defensively, DE Keldrick Faulk and LB Demarcus Riddick have transformed this run defense into one of the SEC’s best.
Keys to the Game: Georgia Bulldogs vs Auburn Tigers
1. 3rd Down Efficiency
3rd down %: This is going to be the make or break stat for both teams on Saturday. The Tigers have been ATROCIOUS when it comes to converting 3rd downs this year. During SEC play this season they have converted 3 out of 28 attempts (10.7%) and didn’t convert one 3rd down @ A&M. Georgia has to take advantage of this weakness even though they are the road team. Only the other side of the ball Auburn’s defense is top 12 in 3rd down % allowed at 26.8%. Even though UGA is converting at a steady 47.7% on offense we saw Alabama drop that number in real time.
2. Play Action Passing and Run Commitment
Play Action passing- This comes with the caveat that Georgia makes a conscious decision to commit to the run. Although Auburn has proved tough in this area, we are too good at running the ball to abandon it early in this game. This will allow us to maintain time of possession, stay out of 3rd & long, and keep the LBs honest and off balance giving us an opening for play action. RPOs will allow Gunner to manipulate and influence LBs and safeties while looking for holes with the zones Auburn will play. TE seams, RB routes, and a heavy dose of Zachariah Branch will also be effective tools to carve up zone coverage.
3. Limit Explosive Plays and Contain Jackson Arnold
Limit explosives- you can bundle this in with containing Jackson Arnold. We don’t have to get sacks but we must be able to get pressure against an O-line that has been God-awful to put it nicely. Auburn hasn’t found ways to consistently get the ball to their players downfield all season because they can’t protect long enough. Getting Arnold off of his spot in the pocket, forcing incomplete passes, PBU’s, interceptions, and 3rd & longs will be more than enough to put that offense in quicksand.
UGA’s Recent History at Jordan-Hare Stadium
I remember this team traveling to Jordan-Hare Stadium back in 2017 as the no.2 team in the country and getting our doors completely blown off. The last time we were there we needed Brock Bowers to put the team on his back just to escape. A night game at this venue will not be easy to overcome, but if UGA can manage to hit on at least 2 of the 3 keys to this game that should be enough to get the W. If not, expect a lot of toilet paper at Toomer’s corner and some tough conversations back in Athens.
GO DAWGS.
Score Prediction: Georgia wins 27-17
