There are probably still people on the Plains arguing that Jackson Arnold crossed the goal line last October. And there are probably just as many Georgia fans who couldn't care less.
That's the beauty of a rivalry that has survived 134 years, countless memorable moments, and more than a few officiating controversies. One side remembers the injustice. The other remembers the scoreboard.
Auburn will arrive in Athens on Saturday, hoping to settle a year-old score. Georgia, meanwhile, has something far more historic in mind.
Ten straight wins. A record that neither program has managed in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. Grab your popcorn, folks, because this year's edition promises to be a historic one, no matter what.
Auburn hasn't forgotten what happened at Jordan-Hare
The Bulldogs' goal-line stand, forced fumble, and 20 unanswered points are still sticking in the craw of Auburn fans. The SEC suspended crew chief Ken Williamson from officiating SEC games due to controversy and complaints from the 2025 matchup, and Georgia fans will maintain that he got the call right.
Did Jackson Arnold fumble that ball before breaking the plane? We'll put it right up there with the Tootsie Pop mystery... the world may never know. In the end, Auburn didn't do enough to overcome what they perceived as a bad call and were shut out in the second half of the game.
20-10 Dawgs is all the matters. The rest is just excuses and manufactured outrage.
That outrage and revenge will be key factors in this year's matchup, and it's certain that ESPN will play that up in all the pregame talk hype. Auburn head coach Alex Golesh wasn't on the sidelines last year, but he's certainly well aware of the narrative.
That's the best Auburn can hope for this week -- get a little revenge and stop the streak. The record-tying streak of nine consecutive Georgia wins could turn into a new record this week.
Georgia is one victory away from owning a piece of rivalry history all to itself
Georgia's current nine-game streak matches its own record set from 1923–1931. Saturday brings an opportunity to break it and to own some history in this storied rivalry.
What's the history?
- The Georgia-Auburn rivalry began in 1892.
- The teams have played 130 times.
- Georgia leads the all-time series 66-56-8.
- Kirby Smart is 10-1 against Auburn, including the 2017 SEC Championship Game.
- The Tigers haven't beaten Georgia in Athens since 2005.
And with a win this Saturday, Georgi will secure the longest winning streak by either side in the rivalry, and will also become (unofficially) the Alabama State Champions, after beating the Crimson Tide the previous week.
This isn't simply a winning streak anymore. It's an entire generation of Auburn football struggling to figure out Georgia. The opportunity to establish an outright series record makes Saturday more meaningful than the rankings or betting line might suggest.
Georgia isn't just trying to beat Auburn again. It's trying to make sure this particular chapter of the rivalry belongs to the Bulldogs forever.
Auburn has revenge on its mind, and Georgia can't afford an Alabama hangover
The Bulldogs just won an emotional, physical game at Alabama. They've climbed to No. 1 in the AP Top 25, and now they're facing an Auburn team that has enjoyed an extra week to prepare.
Kirby Smart has already acknowledged the challenge, emphasizing Auburn's physicality and the need for Georgia to approach this game correctly.
"They're a really tough, physical football team on both sides of the ball. Coach [DJ] Durkin, their defensive coordinator, has been one of the best in the conference over all the years he's been in the conference. He's a great defensive football coach. We've got a lot of links, a lot of respect for him. Our guys have to get ready to go play."
The most dangerous thing Georgia can do is treat this game as a formality. This is not a win to just pencil in and look ahead. This is a potentially dangerous Auburn team, and Georgia will need to limit the mistakes that fortunately did not cost them against Alabama.
The Bulldogs can't afford to put the ball on the ground five times and expect to retain the ball each time, as they did against Alabama. Gunner Stockton can't expect that a pass that would have been an easy interception will be dropped.
Georgia can't count on luck, even at home against a rebuilding Auburn team.
Revenge is temporary, history is permanent
Auburn wants to erase the bitter memory of 2025. Georgia wants to accomplish something that will be remembered long after the controversy is forgotten.
Auburn has had a year to think about what might have been. About a goal-line fumble, a controversial ruling, and another opportunity to beat Georgia slipping away. But the Bulldogs aren't responsible for making Auburn feel better about last October.
They have a chance to do something neither program has accomplished in 134 years of football.
Auburn wants revenge. Georgia wants the record books. Auburn wants bragging rights for a year. Georgia wants to take another step towards an SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff. Auburn can afford to be petty. Georgia must be bigger than Auburn.
And when the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry kicks off Saturday, only one of them can get what it wants.
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