Few matchups in college football carry the history, intensity and drama of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.
Dating to 1892, the annual clash between Auburn and Georgia has delivered generations of hard-hitting battles, bitter heartbreak and unforgettable finishes.
On Saturday, the rivals will add another chapter to their long-running feud as the Tigers travel to Athens, where tradition runs deep and the stakes extend beyond bragging rights.
FULL STORY: Auburn-Georgia rivalry: Over 130 years of history, drama and unforgettable moments
Here’s a quick primer on the rivalry, with Georgia entering as the top-ranked team in the country and Auburn looking for a signature win under first-year coach Alex Golesh:
- Kickoff details: Auburn and Georgia renew the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry on Saturday, Oct. 17, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Tigers are making the roughly 170-mile trip to Athens, where Sanford Stadium will provide the backdrop for another showdown between two of the SEC’s most storied programs.
- Series history: Few rivalries in college football boast a history as rich as Auburn-Georgia, which dates to their first meeting in 1892. Georgia holds a 66-56-8 advantage in the all-time series, but more than a century of clashes has produced a rivalry defined by regional pride, hard-fought battles and dramatic twists.
- SEC hardware: Georgia holds the edge in conference championship history, with 16 SEC titles to Auburn’s eight. The Bulldogs’ collection of trophies reflects decades of success in one of the sport’s most demanding conferences, adding another layer to a matchup in which both programs measure themselves against the SEC’s elite.
- The Uga V moment: The 100th meeting between Auburn and Georgia delivered one of the rivalry’s most bizarre and unforgettable scenes. During Georgia’s four-overtime, 56-49 victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 1996, Bulldogs mascot Uga V lunged at Auburn receiver Robert Baker after a touchdown, forcing handler Charles Seiler to hold the English bulldog back by his leash. The moment became an enduring piece of rivalry lore, capturing the emotion — and unpredictability — that have long defined this series.
- Prayer at Jordan-Hare: Few plays better capture Auburn’s knack for late-game magic than the moment that became known as the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare.” Trailing Georgia in the closing seconds in 2013, Auburn faced fourth-and-18 when quarterback Nick Marshall launched a desperation pass. After a Georgia defender tipped the ball, Ricardo Louis hauled it in and sprinted 73 yards for a touchdown with 25 seconds remaining, lifting the Tigers to a 43-38 victory in one of college football’s most remarkable finishes.
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Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.