Through the Years: The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry

Auburn and Georgia have met 128 times dating back to 1892 in what is called “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”. Throughout their countless meetings the two historic programs have had many memorable matchups that affected the history of the two programs along with the rest of college football. Although Georgia has had their way recently, the Bulldogs and the Tigers have been evenly matched throughout the years. 

The all-time series lies at Georgia leading 64-56-8 with Georgia only pulling away recently with a seven-game win streak against the Tigers dating back to 2017. Below a few of the most memorable matchups are highlighted between Auburn and Georgia.

2017: Auburn 40-17, Georgia 28-7

Auburn and Georgia would meet twice in the 2017 season, first in their typical regular season rivalry game and second in the SEC championship game. Auburn would host the first matchup in Jordan-Hare Stadium against a No. 1 undefeated Georgia led by second year head coach Kirby Smart. The 10th ranked Tigers would stun Georgia holding their offense to just 230 total yards. Auburn on the other hand had running back Kerryon Johnson carry the ball 32 times for 172 yards in addition to Jarret Stidham’s 214 yard passing performance to help the Tigers handle the Bulldogs 40-17. 

Both teams would win out leading them to meet again in Atlanta where they would battle for not only a SEC Championship but also a spot in the college football playoff. The Tigers would open the game with a quick score early in the first but it was all Bulldogs after that as Georgia went on to returned the favor. With the help of a 238 yard rushing performance by the offense and holding Johnson to just 44 yards the Bulldogs would win 28-7.

2013: Auburn 43-38

The Tigers came into this game on a six-game win streak and ranked seventh in the nation with the opportunity of hosting No. 25 Georgia. Things were looking good for Auburn early on pulling ahead 27-7 with just one minute left in the first half. Georgia, however, would score three unanswered touchdowns in the second half to take the lead 38-37 with under two minutes remaining. It would all come down to a fourth and 18 on their own 27 with just 36 seconds left. With the game on the line and pressure coming Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall would step up in the pocket and fire a 50-yard pass to the lone down field receiver Ricardo Louis who was in double coverage. The pass was short and looked to be a sure interception but instead it was tipped up and fell right into the hands of Lewis who would run it in for the touchdown giving the Tigers the lead. Auburn would make one final sack on Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray to seal a 43-38 win.

2004: Auburn 24-6

A No. 8 Georgia squad came into Jordan-Hare to face off against Tommy Tuberville’s unbeaten and No. 3 Auburn Tigers. The Tigers led by running back Carnell Williams would go on to dominate the Bulldogs by a score of 24-6 holding the bulldogs to just 279 total yards with their only score coming with 2:23 left in the fourth quarter. This game was statement win for an Auburn team that would end up winning an SEC title and finishing undefeated at 13-0.

1983: Auburn 13-7

Former Georgia player, Pat Dye, led No. 3 Auburn into Sanford Stadium to face off against an undefeated Vince Dooley led Bulldogs team. Georgia was riding a 24-game home win streak entering the matchup. Auburn led 13-0 going into the fourth quarter but the Bulldogs would not quite as they went down and scored a touchdown with just 2:11 left to play and then recovered the following onside kick. When it looked like Georgia had all the momentum, defensive end Quency Williams sacked Georgia quarterback John Lastinger for a four-yard loss on first down which was followed by three plays in which the bulldogs couldn’t come up with a first down to move the chains. This 13-7 win would clinch at least a tie for the first SEC title for Auburn since 1957 and led to the outright title after the Tigers won the Iron Bowl the following week.

1971: Auburn 35-20

The undefeated Georgia Bulldogs under eventually 5-time SEC Coach of the Year Vince Dooley would host an undefeated Auburn squad led by a legendary coach of their own, Ralph Jordan. After an early deficit Georgia clawed their way back to a 21-20 game with Auburn only up one due to the clocked extra point by Tigers’ player Roger Mitchell. Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan would follow with two passing touchdowns giving him four total on the day not only locking in a 35-20 but also locking down the Heisman trophy. This outcome led to a matchup between undefeated Auburn and undefeated Alabama for the first time in Iron Bowl history.

1959: Georgia 14-13

After meeting in Columbus, GA for nine straight years and 28 out of the last 29 meetings a Wally Butts led Georgia and Ralph Jordan led Auburn would face off in Athens, GA. Both teams were still in the hunt for an SEC title as Auburn came in with a 6-1 record and Georgia likewise had a 7-1 record. Georgia’s team would also feature all-American offensive lineman and linebacker Pat Dye who would go onto have a historic coaching career with the Tigers. Dye would also end up recovering a fumble in the game from Auburn quarterback Bryant Harvard. With little time remaining and Georgia down 13-7 future NFL Hall of Famer and Bulldogs’ quarterback Frank Tarkenton delivered a 13-yard touchdown pass, winning the game 14-13. This cost Auburn the 1959 SEC championship.

1942: Auburn 27-13

The Bulldogs and Tigers had already met over 40 times going into this matchup which took place in Columbus, GA which had served as a neutral site for the matchup many times in the past. The Bulldogs came into the game led by historic head coach Wally Butts ranked No. 1 in the nation and undefeated at 9-0 while Auburn had struggled so far in the season sitting at 4-4-1. The Tigers would pull off the upset by a score of 27-13. This loss would be the only blemish on Georgia’s season as they went on to defeat UCLA in the Rose Bowl and claim their first national title in school history.

With Auburn and Georgia approaching their 129th matchup this weekend, it will be interesting to see if yet another historic game could take place as the No. 5 Bulldogs host the Tigers.