Auburn Football: The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry

🏈 Good Morning, Auburn Family! The Tigers face Georgia this weekend in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. The atmosphere will be electric as Auburn hosts yet another sellout crowd for the first of two back-to-back home night stands.

We’re heading into Saturday night in Jordan-Hare with full belief—not just in one game, but in the direction of this program. Georgia is a respected opponent, but make no mistake: we’re prepared, we’re confident, and we’re ready to own this moment. Our roster has been built for challenges like this, and the work our staff and players have put in gives me conviction we can compete at the highest level in the SEC. Auburn’s not just showing up — we’re coming to make a statement.

War Eagle! — Head Coach Hugh Freeze

This week’s theme is “Frozen.” In 2 Samuel, Eleazar stood his ground beside David when everyone else fled. He fought until his hand was frozen to the sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. That’s the kind of relentless spirit we have to bring into this week. It’s about praying as if it all depends on God, but working as if it all depends on us. There are no shortcuts when you’re chasing greatness—just commitment, grit, and faith. Every rep, every snap, every inch matters. Against Georgia, we have to stand firm, fight through fatigue, and refuse to let go of our sword. Don’t let go of your purpose, your preparation, or your belief in each other. When we hold fast and finish strong, victory follows.

🟠 In A League of His Own. Keyron Crawford is now T-2nd in the SEC with 4.0 sacks and T-4th in the SEC with 6.0 tackles for loss. Crawford has recorded a TFL in four of five games this season, and is one of two Tigers (with Xavier Atkins) to have a sack, interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery this year.

🟠 One-of-one. Auburn’s Xavier Atkins is off to a sensational start this season, piling up 29 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception through five games. Last time out, he set a career high with 10 tackles and returned a deflected pass 73 yards to Texas A&M’s 2-yard line, setting up a Tigers touchdown. His INT return was the longest for Auburn since Smoke Monday’s 100-yard pick vs. Tennessee in 2020.

🟠 Game Five. Auburn hosts Georgia this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. It’s the 130th meeting between the programs, tied for the second-most played series in college football, and the first night game versus Georgia at Jordan-Hare since 2012. The matchup marks Auburn’s 18th consecutive sellout, setting a new program record.

🟠 Retiring No. 2. Auburn will honor Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton by retiring his No. 2 jersey at halftime this weekend. Newton joins Pat Sullivan (7), Bo Jackson (34), and Terry Beasley (88) as one of only four Auburn players to have a jersey retired. In 2010, Newton became the first SEC player to pass for 2,000+ yards and rush for 1,000+ yards in a single season, leading the Tigers to a BCS National Championship while earning consensus All-America honors and multiple national awards.

🟠 Setting The Standard. Auburn will open the 2026 season hosting Baylor in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 5, creating a first-of-its-kind opportunity for student-athletes to engage in name, image and likeness (NIL) activations tied directly to ticket sales, the Aflac Kickoff Game, and surrounding events.

📰 Read more about the 2026 Aflac Kickoff Game.

🟠 Auburn Made – NFL Week 5 Highlights. Former Tigers made their presence felt across the league in Week 5! Here’s the rundown:

🟠 Veteran secondary coach Wesley McGriff, “Coach Crime”, brings energy, experience, and a no-nonsense approach to the defensive backfield.

Known for developing NFL talent—including Nehemiah Pritchett, Jaylin Simpson, and D.J. James—and a 2024 Freshman All-American in Jay Crawford, McGriff has helped Auburn’s secondary force 20 interceptions over his last two seasons on the Plains.

🟠 Stacking Up Accolades. DE Keldric Faulk and TE Brandon Frazier earned national recognition over the bye week. Faulk was named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year watch list, honoring players who demonstrate exceptional leadership, courage, and integrity. Frazier was named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy, recognizing the nation’s top football scholar-athlete for excellence in academics, performance, and leadership.

🟠 Unmatched Atmosphere. Many former Tigers will return to The Plains this weekend, including National Champion and 7-year NFL veteran Chad Slade, who was part of the unforgettable “Miracle at Jordan-Hare” victory over Georgia in 2013.

Saturday, Oct. 11
🏈 vs Georgia @ 6:30 p.m. | Cam Newton's Jersey Retirement | Color: 🟠Wear Orange

Saturday, Oct. 18
🏈 vs Missouri @ Night (TBD) | Color: 🟠🔵 Power Stripe Out

🐯 Go here to view the entire Auburn Athletics Calendar

🟠 Best Fans in the Country. Every 2025 home game is officially SOLD OUT! 🔥