AUBURN, Ala. – Head coach Hugh Freeze has coached in big games. He's coached in rivalry games, most notably the Egg Bowl in Mississippi. But this Saturday will mark his first time coaching in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry between Auburn and Georgia.
"It's the oldest rivalry in the South," Freeze said Monday during his weekly press conference. "I don't sense that it has the hatred that is in some other rivalries I've been a part of. Nonetheless, I think it's intense. I'll find out.
"I'm not big on hate. I'm big on that this game means so much to so many people so we should compete in a way out of love for our people. Not necessarily for hate to other people. That's kind of the way I operate. I hope we compete because we love Auburn, and it means something to the Auburn people to compete against Georgia. That will be my approach. Love is a great motivator for me."
The good new for the Tigers is that they're back at home this week.
"Thank God we're in Jordan-Hare," Freeze said. "I know it will be electric, and we're going to get the kids that are healthy enough ready to play and compete in this game."
Watch the full press conference above as Freeze previews the Georgia game.