UGASwoosh was born in Auburn, but turned to the “Dark Side” (UGA) and hasn’t looked back since 2007. Triple-degree Dawg who has worked in the Sport Media Industry (TNT Sports) and isn’t afraid to be objective about UGA. He still hasn’t fully acquired the ability to bark at others, but love Athens and his Dawgs. You can find him on Instagram at @UGASwoosh. This is his first time on the ‘Blogle. Not sure I can handle the Auburn to UGA move, but we’ll see.
1. What is a Georgia fan’s first thought of Auburn football at this exact moment?
First thought of Auburn…They still have a football team over there? Ok, more seriously. The game at Sanford last year was one of the quietest I’ve heard in this rivalry. Some of that was us coming off a loss to Bama, but also, I fear the game has lost its luster a bit given we’ve won 8 in a row. Auburn is squarely one of our 2 biggest rivals, but our attention has turned annually more towards beating Bama (which we can’t do apparently). Consensus from talking to fellow UGA fans is we’re more scared of Jordan-Hare Stadium at night than a Hugh Freeze coached team.
2. What does the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry mean to you and do you agree that this game shouldn’t be played this early?
I grew up my entire childhood in Auburn (as an Auburn fan) and attended UGA (I wanted to go to Law School but absolutely couldn’t go to UAT). I converted to the “Dark Side” in 2007 for the Blackout game. So, for me personally, it means the most of any UGA game each year. Completely agree the game shouldn’t be played this early. Having the game in November felt like bigger stakes and was always that “anchor” home game you looked forward to (for Auburn, when Bama and UGA were staggered home/away; for UGA, since UF is neutral nearly every year).
3. Who are your two favorite Auburn Tigers of all time and why
Frank Sanders and Jason Campbell. Frank Sanders made some of Auburn’s most iconic catches – 1) the 1993 Iron Bowl catch to lead Auburn to an undefeated season and 2) Nix to Sanders in the Swamp in 1994. Jason Campbell may not exist in today’s world. Highly talented recruit who was inconsistent early in his career, had multiple OCs, but stuck around, worked on himself, and led AU to an undefeated / robbed 2004 season.
4. Name two Dawgs that Auburn fans should look out for and why?
Zachariah Branch (WR) and Ellis Robinson (CB), for different reasons. Zachariah Branch is the explosive, home-run WR threat we lacked last year. Wherever this guy catches the ball, he has the ability to make people miss and take it to the house. Ellis Robinson was the 2nd rated player overall in the 2024 class (all positions). He’s supremely talented but he’s consistently been picked on by opposing QBs this season for deep balls. It will be interesting to see if Auburn OL can give Jackson Arnold time against a suspect UGA pass rush – and then, does Arnold attempt to go downfield and exploit a young Robinson? Has Robinson developed?
5. Which two Tigers scare you the most and why?
Jackson Arnold and Cam Coleman. Kirby Smart defenses haven’t typically performed as well against dual-threat QBs. So, if Arnold is able to extend the field passing, it will leave room for him to get yards running too. Cam Coleman is a freak athlete who’s got great size and hands. We don’t have lockdown corners thus far this season. So, if Auburn OL holds up, both could be big threats. Our defense has been the weaker side of the ball to this point, and if both can have big games (once again, dependent on AU OL), our offense will likely have to play catch-up similar to Tenn and Bama games.
6. Where will each team have an advantage over the other?
UGA has the intangibles / coaching advantage. This team is battle tested, coming from behind to steal a win at Neyland and nearly defeating Bama after spotting them 14. So, this team won’t be scared and is mentally very tough – which I attribute to coaching. I’m honestly struggling on the Auburn advantages from what I’ve seen and why I keep caveating every statement with *depends on AU OL. Two advantages come to mind: 1) AU WRs vs. UGA DBs (documented above) OR 2) AU DL vs. UGA OL (due to injuries, we haven’t had a consistent OL starting all year).
7. Which matchup will decide the game?
I think it ultimately comes down to UGA DL vs. AU OL. If UGA is able to get QB pressure without any blitz packages (something we haven’t done much thus far) – I don’t see AU having any chance. However, if we don’t create havoc with any kind of pass rush, Arnold and Coleman are good enough to keep our D on the field a long time. Of course, this is all assuming AU doesn’t have 15 penalties.
8. What is your analysis/score prediction for the game?
I’ve been to enough games at Jordan-Hare to know that blowouts don’t really happen. I guess AU did beat the “Dawg Crap” out of us the first , less meaningful Deep South iteration in 2017. To give a nod to JackTheRabbit, I think this is close for 3.5 quarters. I just trust UGA’s coaching and mental fortitude more than AU and expect us to win a close one, 28-21.
9. Where will Auburn and Georgia end up this season?
AU (6-7) and UGA (10-2).
10. What do you think about Hugh Freeze?
I think he’s the best coach ever. AU fans who think otherwise are crazy, and the thought of you getting rid of him is crazy. You guys should sign him to a long term deal. Go Dawgs!
