The Pregame Blogle: Auburn at Georgia

The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, which is actually the South’s Oldest Rivalry, but the coastal elites wanted to give North Carolina-Virginia something to make themselves feel good, is played too early. It’s too hot. Move the game back to November, Greg Sankey.

😐 HOW I’M FEELING

Eh, sure. Like almost every time any team goes to Georgia, it’s going to take the best performance of the season so far. There will need to be some turnovers in Auburn’s direction. Something weird will have to happen. But that’s almost how it always is and will be.

🤷 WHAT WE ACTUALLY KNOW

We know that Georgia has played one good team all season and needed help — hilarious help — to win that one. We know that Auburn has shown flashes of good things and has played in a big, loud stadium on the road. We know Kirby Smart loves to beat Auburn, but respects the Tigers despite what @JoeBlow69 says on Twitter. We know it’s going to take a great performance to leave Athens with a win.

👀 WHAT I WANT TO SEE

I want to see a fast start for once. I want to see Auburn go down and score a touchdown on the first drive. I want to see the defense stop the run for the majority of the game and not falter in crunch time. I want to see the opposing team punt and it not be caught inside the 10-yard line.

🥱 THE STORYLINE I’M ALREADY TIRED OF

AWBREN AIN’T WUN IN ATHINS SEENCE 2005! Yeah, I was there. Saw it. But like the same people love to say, past games and past trips don’t matter to this season. It’s Alex Golesh and 94% of this team’s first time going to Georgia. Let’s see what happens.

🦅 RANDOM OPPONENT THING

I’ve already given you a few quirky Georgia things, but here’s a free one:

They Started With a Goat: Georgia’s original mascot in 1892 was a goat wearing a blanket and a hat with red and black ribbons. They eventually switched to a bulldog, somehow finding an animal that’s even less athletic.

📈 BLOGLE CONFIDENCE METER

9.4 out of 10 — Yeah, I mean. Yeah. Tough.

🔒 ONE THING I GUARANTEE

I don’t see color, but a white guy will score a touchdown for Georgia.

Repeated Bonus until it happens: Alex Golesh will say a funny cuss word to whoever interviews him postgame.

🎯 THE PICK

Auburn 20, Georgia 17

I wouldn’t be your favorite Auburn homer if I didn’t pick Auburn to win. Because, like I said on this week’s podcast, I think Auburn should and could win every game, every year.