AUBURN, Ala. – This Auburn football team has seen some good atmospheres this season. They played at Penn State for their White Out game. They played a night game in Death Valley, handing LSU a 24-19 loss last week. But nothing compares to Jordan-Hare Stadium, and the crowd is expected to be rocking Saturday for No. 2 Georgia.
Next Game:
Georgia
Oct. 9, 2021
2:30 p.m. CT
TV: CBS
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
It will be the first SEC game with full capacity since Alabama in 2019.
"We did have great experiences up at Penn State and at LSU," Auburn quarterback Bo Nix said. "We've played in some great atmosphere in the past as well. But it's really fun to have a game like this, a rivalry game, in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
"I remember the first year when we played Georgia – there in the second half it got super loud. And then obviously the Alabama game was one of the loudest. So I think Auburn definitely compares and goes up against those other teams, the traditional and historical ones that are known for being loud. I think Auburn is right there with them."
In 2017, cornerback Roger McCreary attended the Auburn-Georgia game as a recruit. After seeing the Tigers win and that environment, he knew where he wanted to go.
"That game really made me want to come to Auburn," McCreary said. "It was just the fans, the atmosphere. I saw how it was, and now I finally get to play in the game. It just makes me more excited to play on Saturday."
Auburn (4-1, 1-0) and Georgia (5-0, 3-0) will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday from Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS with Noah Eagle, Rick Neuheisel, Aaron Murray and Jenny Dell on the call. You can also listen to Andy Burcham, Stan White and Ronnie Brown who will have the radio call on 93.9 Tiger FM and online at AuburnTigers.com.
Fans are encouraged to wear navy blue to Saturday's game.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH … CB ROGER MCCREARY
Q: What does it mean to make the latest watch list for the Bednarik Award, honoring the best defensive player in college football?
A: It was a surprise because I didn't know I was on it, but I feel like it was one of my greatest accomplishments. All my hard work is finally paying off. That just makes me want to grind more and keep grinding to be the best.
Q: How much have you grown as a player from your first year to now?
A: When I first started out, I was in a shell. I wasn't really that confident then. My sophomore year, that's when I really started coming out. Like I can really do this. It just plays over to now. I'm as confident as ever to go on the field and play like I'm the best. You can see it on the field. I know there are some things I still have to work on, so I don't let that get to my head. I know there's always more room for improvement. But if I keep working hard, I'll get to where I want to be.
Q: What was it like watching Bo Nix do this thing against LSU last week?
A: Bo always does that. Every time he did a play like that, I was like 'There goes Circus Bo.' It's always a surprise with Bo, especially in a game like that – you can tell he really wanted to win that game so much. I can just tell from the sideline it was going to be a good game. I knew it wasn't going to be the only time he's going to play like that. He's going to continue to play like that. I'm confident.
INSIDE THE SERIES: GEORGIA
Auburn trails Georgia, 56-61-8, in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. The Auburn-Georgia series (125 games) is older than the Georgia-Georgia Tech series (113 games) and the Auburn-Alabama series (85 games). Auburn and Georgia first met in 1892 at Atlanta's Piedmont Park while each team first played its in-state rival in 1893.
The two teams did not play in 1943, because Auburn did not field a team due to World War II. They did not play in 1917 and 1918 because of WWI and the subsequent influenza outbreak. With those exceptions, Auburn and Georgia have played continuously since 1898.
This is only the seventh time the matchup has been played in October. Prior to last season, the
last October meeting was in 1936 (Oct. 24).
Series: Georgia, 61-56-8
At Auburn: Georgia, 17-12-2
At Georgia: Auburn, 18-16
At Neutral Sites: Georgia, 28-26-6
First Meeting: 1892 (Auburn, 10-0)
Most AU points: 49 (1996 and 2010)
Current Streak: Georgia, W3
BY THE NUMBERS
247: Quarterback Bo Nix, who has started every game since he's been at Auburn, has currently thrown 247 consecutive passes without and interception dating back to last year's Iron Bowl. The junior has three streaks of at least 100 passes without an interception in his career, including a school record 250 consecutive passes without a pick from 2019-20.
85.4: Auburn is ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense at 85.4 yards allowed per game. Four of the first five opponents have been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing, including LSU last week who finished with just 33 yards on the ground.
102: Tight end John Samuel Shenker caught five passes for 102 yards in Auburn's win at LSU last week. Shenker's 102-yard receiving total was the first 100-yard game by and Auburn tight end since 1994 when Andy Fuller had 115 yards in a 36-33 victory over Florida.
125: At 125 games, the Auburn-Georgia series is tied with North Carolina-Virginia for the second-most played current FBS series entering the season. Only Minnesota and Wisconsin have met more times (130).