Returning to Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium for the first time in nearly a month, the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs face a familiar psychological test Saturday when they host the No. 22 Missouri Tigers. 

   There was hope they would get their first night game at home. But, not the case. Kickoff is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC with full coverage and streaming details available through the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.

   There was hope they would get their first night game at home. But, not the case. Kickoff is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

   Revenge and College Football Playoff survival take center stage tonight at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs slide into hostile territory to battle the No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels. The 7:30 p.m. ABC primetime blockbuster marks a pivotal chapter in a developing SEC rivalry, serves as a high-stakes rematch of last season’s Sugar Bowl quarterfinal, and carries critical post-season implications for both sides.

   The Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1 SEC) head to Oxford fresh off a grinding 27-8 victory over Florida in Atlanta for the first time ever at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the memories of their last trip to Mississippi remain vivid. Two years ago, Oxford fans stormed the field and tore down the goalposts after a decisive 28-10 Rebel victory, a rowdy atmosphere head coach Kirby Smart remembers well. “That’s a great atmosphere to play a game in,” Smart acknowledged when reflecting on his previous trip to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. “They create a tough environment to snap and run plays. You will never understand what it’s like to go play when you can’t hear anything.”

   Silencing that crowd will mean containing an explosive Ole Miss offense (6-2, 4-2 SEC) marshaled by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who torched the Bulldogs for 362 yards and two scores during the Rebels’ 39-34 Sugar Bowl triumph in January. “Pete (Golding) has done a tremendous job since taking over,” Smart said of the Rebels’ defense during his weekly press conference. “They probably have the best quarterback in the country who plays at a high level. He is extremely hard to defend and a great player.”

   To slow down Chambliss’ lethal deep ball, Georgia’s defensive front and secondary must play exceptionally disciplined assignment football. Smart emphasized that trying to out-scheme the veteran Rebel signal-caller is a fool’s errand. Smart noted that tricking a veteran quarterback is impossible, stressing that sound fundamentals—tackling, limiting after-catch yardage, forcing turnovers, and converting on third down—are the only path forward.

    On the other side of the ball, quarterback Gunner Stockton and the offense aim to spark a unit that has stayed under 30 points in three straight outings. They receive a major boost with the return of wide receiver Isiah Canion, making his first appearance since September.

   As both programs eye the playoff picture, Smart keeps his squad grounded in a week-to-week mindset. “Our guys will be excited for the challenge,” he said. “Another opportunity. Another week in the SEC, as it always is.”

   Kickoff is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

   You might call them Georgia Tech South with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner leaving the Yellow Jackets in the offseason and taking QB Aaron Philo, WR Eric Singleton, WR Bailey Stockton and TE Luke Harpring with him. But, it was a similar result as in that rivalry.

   It was a different city and a radically different atmosphere, but the script remained entirely unchanged for one of college football’s most historic rivalries. For the first time in history, the border war between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators moved under the roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium due to ongoing stadium renovations in Jacksonville.

   The change of venue did absolutely nothing to slow down head coach Kirby Smart’s program, as the No. 3 Bulldogs rode a suffocating, opportunistic defensive performance to lock up a convincing 27-8 victory over the No. 17 Gators in front of a raucous sellout crowd of 72,541.

   With the victory, UGA (7-1, 5-1 SEC) has now asserted absolute dominance over its biggest rival, winning six consecutive games in the series and nine of the last ten matchups overall.
Smart noted postgame that the win was sweet because it was an SEC victory that advanced their goals, allowing them to remain firmly in the hunt for the conference championship.

   “My Initial impression was that our defense played with tenacity, effort, flying to the ball,” he said. “The goal was to shut down the run game, confuse the quarterback. I thought we did both of those things; affected the quarterback. We
created field position and offense for our offense.”

   The suffocating Georgia defense completely stifled Florida’s high-powered offense, holding them scoreless in the first half and forcing four crucial turnovers. The defensive unit blew the game open with interceptions by Ellis Robinson IV and Demello Jones, plus a spectacular 66-yard fumble return touchdown by Chris Cole off a Quintavius Johnson strip-sack.

   Florida coach Jon Sumrall acknowledged his team’s self-inflicted mistakes, expressing frustration over the errors and emphasizing the urgent need to meet the program’s standard moving forward. “I think they’re a really good football team and I have a lot of respect for them,” Sumrall said. “They didn’t need our help tonight, but we gave it to them, too.”

   Offensively, the Bulldogs found their rhythm on the ground, churning out 217 hard-fought rushing yards. Short, physical touchdown runs from Nate Frazier and Bo Walker set the tone, while quarterback Gunner Stockton managed 101 passing yards and added 45 critical rushing yards.

   An interesting side note. Georgia has now won five straight games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons have been playing there for ten years now and their longest winning streak in the building is four.

   Smart stressed that the offense still has another level to reach as the season progresses, highlighting areas that need improvement before the final stretch of the year. The win firmly positions the Bulldogs at the top of the SEC standings as they head into November.

   It doesn’t get any easier as the Dawgs head to Oxford to take on No. 12 Ole Miss, who just manhandled Auburn 45-15. Kickoff is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

   For the first time in the history of their century-long cross-border gridiron war, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators will settle their differences inside the capital of the Peach State. Due to extensive, multi-year stadium renovations at their traditional neutral ground in Jacksonville, the SEC’s premier Halloween spectacle has shifted inland to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a monumental Top 20 collision.

   Both programs arrive refreshed following a timely bye week, yet they are burdened with contrasting momentum. Head coach Kirby Smart’s No. 3 Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) are looking to fast-track a rebound after a shocking 27-24 home loss to unranked Auburn snapped their pristine record. Conversely, first-year head coach Jon Sumrall has his No. 17 Gators (5-2, 3-2 SEC) riding a tidal wave of confidence after pulling off a gritty 27-24 upset over Texas in Austin.

   While the change of scenery from the coastal tailgate waters to a closed-roof metropolis has been the focal point of the college football world, Smart made it clear to reporters that his squad is not focused on the venue. He emphasized that the focus is on execution rather than external distractions.
Smart downplayed the venue shift during his press availability, noting that while it offers a unique fan experience at the “Benz,” the location matters little to the players on the field. He also praised Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner as one of the country’s top offensive minds, pointing out that the Gators pose a dangerous offensive threat. Faulkner is a former UGA coach who previously worked at Georgia Tech where he always gave the Dawgs fits. When he left the Jackets last season, he brought some of their best players with him including starting quarterback Aaron Philo, wide receiver Eric Singleton and Bailey Stockton. Tech has struggled since.

   As the Bulldogs prepare for this physical matchup, they face a severe injury crisis. According to the final SEC availability report, the following players will be unavailable:
   • Chauncey Bowens (RB) (lower-body)
   • Dante Dowdell (RB) (upper-body)
   • Amaris Williams (OLB) (torn ACL)
   • Tyriq Green (S) (ankle)
   • Thomas Blackshear (WR) (ruled out)

   However, All-SEC safety KJ Bolden is expected to return to the secondary despite being listed as questionable. Execution and discipline in a loud domed environment will be critical as Georgia attempts to maintain its series dominance. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. on Halloween on ABC.

  In a definitive twist to college football’s oldest deep-south rivalry, the unranked Auburn Tigers pulled off a monumental upset on Saturday, defeating the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs, 27-24, between the hedges at Sanford Stadium. The shocking outcome upended the national championship landscape, snapping Georgia’s 53-game winning streak against unranked opponents.

   UGA was one of five teams in the top seven who lost Saturday, something that had never happened before.

   For Georgia, the sting of the defeat was magnified by the absence of star safety KJ Bolden, leaving a young secondary that struggled to preserve leverage against Auburn’s physical style.

   The afternoon began exactly as the home crowd expected, with Georgia jumping out to a quick 14-0 lead. The Bulldogs’ offense operated with clinical precision early, slicing through the Tigers’ front seven. However, Auburn flipped the switch completely, answering with 24 unanswered points. Quarterback Byrum Brown orchestrated the staggering response, racking up 265 total yards and punishing a Bulldog defensive backfield that was missing Bolden’s veteran presence.

   “I just want to get this program back to where you expect to come in and win these games,” first-year Auburn head coach Alex Golesh said postgame. “That’s why we came here. That’s why we chose Auburn. We’re going to build Auburn back to where everybody wants it, one game at a time.”

   Refusing to go quietly, Georgia roared back in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs scored 10 straight points to tie the game at 24-24 and looked poised to avoid the disaster. With under two minutes remaining, Georgia had a clear chance to win it late, moving the ball into potential field goal range. But the game turned on a dime when quarterback Gunner Stockton lost a critical fumble with 58 seconds remaining at the Auburn 44-yard line. The Tigers capitalized immediately, moving into striking distance and setting up Alex McPherson, who kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired to seal the historic upset.

   “We like to say the Dawgs don’t beat the Dawgs, but they found a way to beat themselves today,” a somber Kirby Smart remarked. “Auburn played better than us today, executed better than us today, didn’t turn the ball over and hit the red area plays. We had some really, really untimely, undisciplined, uncharacteristic penalties.”

   Stockton, who committed three costly turnovers on the day, echoed his coach’s frustrations while vowing to turn the page. “It’s all about how you respond,” Stockton said. “Life ain’t supposed to be a fairy tale and pixie dust. It’s all about how you respond and get better and try to get better every day with everything you do. So you’ve got to attack it.”

   The victory marks Auburn’s first win in Athens since 2005 and its first victory over a top-ranked Georgia squad since 1942. For the Bulldogs, the loss terminates their brief stay at No. 1 and forces an immediate tactical reset before their national championship aspirations are entirely derailed.

   They get a much needed week off before taking on a motivated Florida team who just upset #7 Texas on the road. That game will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 31 at 3:30 p.m..

   Fresh off an emotional and hard-fought 20-17 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, the newly crowned No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs are wasting no time shifting their focus. On Saturday, October 17, Sanford Stadium will play host to the next chapter of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry as the dangerous Auburn Tigers roll into town.

   For head coach Kirby Smart, who grew up in Southwest Georgia, facing Auburn holds profound personal significance. “For us, it’s on to Auburn,” Smart said as he kicked off the week. “As you know, the South’s oldest rivalry. It’s an awesome rivalry. It’s one that was special to me growing up close to Auburn, and actually lived closer to there than any SEC school… I have so much respect for them.”

   The Danger of a “Humility” Week – Sitting at a perfect 6-0 and commanding the top spot in the national rankings, the Bulldogs face a classic trap game against a rested Auburn squad (3-2) coming off an open week. Historically, this rivalry has yielded unpredictable results, and Smart is acutely aware that momentum can evaporate in an instant within the Southeastern Conference.

   “It’s any given Saturday in this conference as we see every week,” Smart warned during his Monday press conference. “It’ll be an extremely physical game. They’re coming off an off week, and we’re coming off a really tough physical game. It will be really important that the mindset and the approach to the game is right because they want to make it physical the way they play.”

   Smart further emphasized that, in a league this competitive, his team is always “a week away from humility on both sides of the ball” if they lose their edge.

   “I think it gives you a gauge of where you are against obviously one of the better teams in the country, if not the best team in the country,” said new Auburn head coach Alex Golesh. “You’ll leave it and you’ll know how you stack up.” 

   Developing Roster Depth for the SEC Gauntlet – To combat the unrelenting physical toll of the SEC season, the Bulldogs have had to lean into their depth. Georgia’s ability to survive injuries and wear-and-tear hinges on the quick maturation of its youngest players.

   “We want good football players. We want high-character kids that want to be at Georgia,” Smart explained when evaluating his roster. “We look for toughness, because that’s what the conference is… We think it’s more important what you do with your players than the players you get. We all have a pool of players. I don’t think there’s a huge separation like some people do between the players. It’s what you do with them. It’s mindset training, it’s lifting, it’s concept training… It’s the culture you breed.”

   Navigating the Trap – Auburn will arrive in Athens looking to play spoiler. Ultimately, national rankings and point spreads take a backseat when these two historic programs square off. For UGA, navigating this trap game means flushing the euphoria of the Alabama win and matching the physical intensity of a well-rested rival.

   Kickoff on Saturday in Athens is 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.

    For the first time since 2007, the Georgia Bulldogs have conquered Bryant-Denny Stadium. In a heavyweight SEC clash that lived up to every ounce of its immense billing, the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (6-0, 4-0 SEC) traded body blows with No. 6 Alabama (5-1, 3-1 SEC) before escaping with a thrilling 20-17 victory. The signature win keeping Kirby Smart’s squad undefeated was a brutal testament to modern SEC football.

   Coach Smart highlighted the physical nature of the contest and praised his quarterback and staff, noting that “humility is a week away”.

   Ground and Pound – Georgia relied on a strong ground game, led by Dwight Phillips Jr. with 120 rushing yards and Bo Walker with 69 yards. The Bulldogs took an early 10-0 lead after Gunner Stockton connected with London Humphreys on a 20-yard touchdown pass. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer praised Stockton’s clutch and efficient play under center.

   The Tide Swings Back – Alabama responded before halftime with a 14-point rally to take a 14-10 lead. In the second half, Stockton tied the game with a 14-yard touchdown run, and Peyton Woodring secured the go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter. Smart also credited offensive coordinator Mike Bobo for the game plan and execution.

   Icing the Victory – The Georgia defense stood strong on Alabama’s final possession, aided by a crucial personal foul penalty on Alabama that allowed UGA to run out the clock.

   “It’s a hard place to play. I don’t judge my happiness or success on how we play Bama. I got a lot of respect for this place,” Smart said. “Nick [Saban] taught me a lot. Watching that show the other night… I have so much respect for him. We run our program a lot like that. The stuff going on in that show is going on in Athens right now… it’s what he taught me and it’s what we’re trying to do.”

   Now 6-0, the likely #1 ranked Bulldogs return home to another sold out Sanford Stadium to host Auburn. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.