Insights As Coach Smart Talks Big About Significance of Auburn Game

Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach Kirby Smart spoke to the media on Tuesday evening at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall in anticipation of the upcoming game against Auburn.

Although the focus in college football recently has been on Georgia’s defeat to the Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs are preparing for a home game against the struggling Auburn Tigers in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

“The historical significance of this game is very personal… The players understand what it means, and they have certainly practiced hard.”

Despite the struggles Hugh Freeze and Auburn have faced this season, it’s worth remembering their close call last year. In front of a vibrant Jordan-Hare Stadium crowd, the Bulldogs, favored by two touchdowns, needed strong performances from Brock Bowers to secure a narrow 27-20 victory. Although Georgia had the superior team and a better overall season, that game highlighted the unique intensity and mental preparation involved in rivalry matchups.

With the lingering disappointment from their loss in Tuscaloosa, it seems Coach Smart and his staff won’t have any issues motivating the team for this weekend’s game, especially since several staff members played in this rivalry during their college days.

Looking back at the history of this matchup, Georgia leads the all-time series 64-56-8. The Dawgs haven’t fallen to the Tigers since 2017, when former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn led his team to a 40-17 victory. The last time Georgia lost at home in this rivalry was in 2005.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ABC.