Georgia vs. Auburn Preview: Deep South's Oldest Rivalry Returns to Jordan-Hare

AUBURN, AL. - October 11, 2025 - The 130th edition of the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry kicks off Saturday night as the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs (4–1, 2–1 SEC) travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face the Auburn Tigers (3–2, 0–2 SEC). The game will be televised nationally on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT, with Georgia looking to extend its eight-game winning streak over Auburn.

Context and Stakes

• Georgia enters the matchup fresh off a 35–14 win over Kentucky, rebounding from a tough loss to Alabama two weeks prior.

• Auburn had a bye last week after falling 16–10 to Texas A&M and 24–17 to Oklahoma in back-to-back road games.

• Both teams are at a crossroads: Georgia needs a win to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt, while Auburn is desperate to avoid an 0–3 start in SEC play.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Quarterback Duel: Gunner Stockton vs. Jackson Arnold

• Georgia's Gunner Stockton has thrown for 1,047 yards, 6 TDs, and 1 INT, while adding 194 rushing yards and 5 scores.

• Auburn's Jackson Arnold has been steady, completing 60% of his passes for 345 yards over the last two games, with no interceptions.

2. Defensive Fronts

• Auburn ranks third nationally in defensive success rate against the run and second in opponent EPA per rush.

• Georgia's defense has allowed 18.4 points per game and ranks 30th nationally, but has struggled against the pass, ranking 96th in dropback success rate.

3. Skill Players

• Georgia's Chauncey Bowens leads the backfield with 310 rushing yards and 3 TDs, while WR Zachariah Branch has 234 receiving yards and 2 scores.

• Auburn's Eric Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman are explosive threats, with Coleman tallying 255 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season.

Intangibles and Atmosphere

• Auburn will retire Cam Newton's No. 2 jersey during the game, adding emotional energy to an already electric rivalry atmosphere.

• Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart expects "an intense, crazy environment" and has prepared his team for crowd noise and chaos.

• Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze said the team used the bye week to "fix issues" and emphasized the need to avoid penalties and negative plays.

Betting and Predictions

• Georgia is a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under set at 46.5 points.

• Multiple models give Georgia a 58–63% chance to win, but Auburn's home-field advantage and defensive front could make this a close contest.

• Prediction: Georgia 26, Auburn 24

What They're Saying

• "Hopefully a home environment changes some things, the way we play," said Hugh Freeze, acknowledging Auburn's offensive struggles.

• "We create an environment of chaos and noise... we'll have to go out and execute," said Kirby Smart, referencing Georgia's preparation for hostile road games.