The Georgia Bulldogs are gearing up for another SEC showdown under the lights, this time traveling to Jordan-Hare stadium to face Auburn. Head coach Kirby Smart, senior cornerback Daylen Everette and redshirt freshman running back Chauncey Bowens met with media Monday to discuss the Bulldogs preparation and mindset heading into the rivalry matchup.
Here are three key takeaways from what they had to say.
1. Smart emphasizes physicality and focus for a tough road test
Smart knows what’s coming. A night game at Auburn means one of the loudest, most unpredictable atmospheres in college football, and Smart made sure his players understand that challenge.
”They've got an incredible atmosphere, which is starting to be the common theme around our conference, but this place is really hard to play,” Smart shared. “They do an unbelievable job with whatever you call the game interaction, the crowd, the fans, their students. Tremendous job they do, they've got a great football team.”
Smart praised Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze’s offensive creativity, calling him “one of the first to really start using the run-pass option.” Georgia’s defense will once again need to stay disciplined and avoid giving up big plays to an offense that thrives on misdirection and tempo.
The Bulldogs are coming off a convincing 35-14 win over Kentucky, while Auburn enters the matchup fresh off a bye. Smart didn’t dwell on any potential advantage for the Tigers, though.
”You can't really look at that and try to make any excuse for it,” Smart said. So it is what it is and we've got to go play well.”
2. Daylen Everette says Georgia’s secondary must “stay locked in”
Everette is one of the defensive leaders tasked with keeping Auburn’s recievers in check. He’s been around long enough to know what kind of energy to expect from a night crowd at Jordan-Hare.
”It’s a pretty crazy environment,” Everette said. “It was a good experience just seeing their fans all out. It’s going to be a little more this week being a night game, so you just have to be ready for that.”
Everette specifically pointed to Auburn receivers Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. as players the Bulldogs must contain.
”Cam, he has the size — he’s one of those guys you can really just throw it up to,” Everette said. “Singleton, he’s a really good receiver, real shifty. You can pretty much put him anywhere.”
After a strong showing against Kentucky, Everette said Georgia’s defense remains focused on forcing turnovers and improving on third down, two areas that were lacking earlier in the season. He also gave credit to younger players like Ellis Robinson for stepping up and making an impact.
”Just seeing the way he’s been practicing the past couple of weeks,” Everette shared. He’s been working his butt off, and he handled his opportunity pretty well.”
3. Bowens continues to earn trust in Georgia’s backfield
WIth several running backs rotating through the lineup this season, redshirt freshman Chauncey Bowens has emerged as a steady contributor for Georgia. He earned his first collegiate start last week against Kentucky, rushing for 70 yards on 15 carries and helping the Bulldogs establish an early rhythm on the ground.
”It was a good feeling,” Bowens said. “It’s something I dreamed of as a kid, being able to go out there and represent this program.”
Bowens credited Georgia’s strength and conditioning staff for his development and said the depth in the running back room allows the offense to stay balanced late into games.
“We feel really strong and confident that every running back we have in the room can go out and execute at any given moment,” Bowens said. It’s about keeping us fresh.”
Bowens also said he’s looking forward to the Auburn atmosphere, having already experienced a road environment at Tennessee earlier this season.
”Just getting used to the crowd and the environment, how loud it gets,” Bowens said. “It’s a really fun experience — and one I’m looking forward to again.”
No. 10 Georgia enters Saturday’s matchup at Auburn with momentum and focus. Smart’s message remains consistent though, stay disciplined, stay physical, and play Georgia football for four quarters.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm EST at Jordan-Hare Stadium as the Bulldogs look to extend their winning ways and solidify their place atop the SEC standings.