It’s a game that is often overshadowed by the Iron Bowl and the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, but Auburn’s rivalry Georgia is one of the oldest in the country. The Tigers meet the Bulldogs for the 118th time Saturday night at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
How to watch Auburn vs. Georgia: Game guide, TV schedule, streaming, odds
It’s the 118th edition of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, as the Georgia Bulldogs host the Auburn Tigers between the hedges.
Scott Cunningham
Auburn is licking its wounds and needs to bounce back in a hurry. The Tigers were cruising along at No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and then they fell flat at home against unranked Texas A&M last week. That game proved that anything can happen on any given Saturday. Auburn fans would love to see a similar outcome to last year’s wild contest against the Dawgs.
Georgia is coming off a trouncing of Kentucky, but the Bulldogs have a head-scratching defeat in their recent memory. Their 18-point Cocktail Party loss to reeling Florida seemingly ended national title hopes for 2014, but after dispatching the Wildcats, 63-31, a week ago, Georgia seems to be back on track, at least offensively.
Oh, and it probably won’t hurt to get a fresh Todd Gurley back this week.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 7:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN (Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe)
Online streaming: WatchESPN
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The numbers
Rankings and records: Auburn enters the game 7-2 overall, 4-2 in SEC play and No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Georgia is 7-2 (5-2) and No. 15 in the Playoff rankings. The teams have been playing since 1892, aside from war years, but the Tigers hold a slim 55-54-8 lead in the series.
Vegas: Georgia opened as a two-point favorite, and that line is up slightly to 2.5 at most sportsbooks. The over/under is set at 69.5, per OddsShark.
Weather forecast: Clear skies, high of 52, low of 31.
Two things at stake
It’s big rivalry game that dates back to the 1890s. No matter the records, this matchup means a ton to both sides.
Auburn and Georgia are still holding onto SEC title hopes, and the loser is likely eliminated from the race.
One big matchup
Georgia passing game vs. Auburn passing D.
Yes, Gurley coming back is a big deal, but Auburn’s run defense is fairly solid, allowing 3.7 yards per cary. And it’s a safe bet that the Tigers will spend the game trying to stop the run and forcing Georgia QB Hutson Mason to beat them with his arm. Considering they rank 10th in the SEC in opponents’ yards per attempt and passer rating, success appears to be a real possibility for Mason.
However, Auburn has one saving grace in the secondary: The Tigers haul in a bunch of interceptions. With 14 so far this year, they rank second in the conference and eighth nationally. If Mason makes mistakes, there’s a good chance Auburn’s DBs will make him pay. But if he doesn’t, the Tigers will have a tough time getting off the field.
Further reading
For more Auburn coverage, head over to College and Magnolia. For all things Georgia, check out Dawg Sports.
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