The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is known for its dramatic and memorable plays, historical players, coaches switching sides, and its liking of trucks. In this, the 125th meeting of the series, Georgia has the advantage 60-56-8 over Auburn. The 60 wins is the second most against any opponent (Georgia Tech – 68). The Bulldogs have a three-game win streak in the series, and the last time Georgia had four straight wins against Auburn was 2006 to 2009. Georgia’s longest win streak in the series is nine, from 1923 to 1931. This is just the second time when these two schools have faced each other in the Georgia’s second game of the season. The first time was the first-ever meeting in 1892 (Auburn won 10-0).

This meeting will make the 14th different decade when Georgia and Auburn have squared off. Here's a breakdown decade-by-decade in this prestigious series.

This is a strange series in which both teams have an advantage record-wise in each other’s home stadium. Lately, however, the Dawgs have had their way no matter where the game has been played.

Turning back to the Arkansas game, Stetson Bennett did a great job coming on in relief of D’Wan Mathis. Bennett almost mimicked his 2019 stats. In 2019 and 2020, he has completed exactly 20 passes, with two touchdowns (attempts and yards were close as well). Coming in relief is nothing new for a quarterback under Kirby Smart in a season opener.

Georgia spread the ball around, as seven different Bulldogs had at least one rushing attempt, while 12 Dawgs had at least one reception. Zamir White led the way with 13 rushing attempts for 71 yards and a score. As for receivers, Kearis Jackson led with receptions with six (he had five total in 2019). George Pickens had four receptions, but one was for a 19-yard touchdown.

Pickens had one of the top seasons by a Bulldog receiver last season. I decided to see how he compares to some of Georgia’s best receivers all-time, through their first 15 games of their collegiate career.

I consider Brice Hunter very notable, but he had just three catches his freshman season before setting a Georgia record with 76 during his sophomore season in the early 1990s.

The other touchdown reception belonged to tight end John FitzPatrick. The seven-yard touchdown was his first of his career. Here's a breakdown on who received the ball in Georgia’s first game of the season.

After a slow start, the number one defense from a season ago stepped up. Last season, Georgia allowed a first-quarter touchdown to just two SEC teams and this season, Arkansas scored on its second possession. From then on, the defense held its ground. The Razorbacks were held to three more points and had 280 yards total (91 yards on the scoring drive). The Dawgs even recorded a safety on a failed Hogs’ trick play. It was the first safety for Georgia since the opening game against North Carolina in 2016.

Georgia’s safety Richard LeCounte picked off two of Feleipe Franks passes. They were his sixth and seventh career interceptions. It was also the second straight game (2020 Sugar Bowl) in which he had two picks. He is the only active SEC player to have multiple interceptions in more than one game of his career. Here are the last eight times that a Bulldog has had more than one interception in a game.

The last time a Georgia player had three interceptions in a game was Tra Battle in 2006 against Auburn. One of those interceptions was a 30-yard pick-six for a score. Speaking of 30-yard pick-sixes, that's just what Eric Stokes did for the Dawgs late in the third quarter last Saturday. It was Stokes’ first career interception.

Scott Cochran had a pretty good first game as Georgia’s Special Teams’ Coordinator.

Georgia needs to lower its number of penalties. The Bulldogs had 12 penalties for 108 yards in the game (8-for-73 in the first quarter alone). It was the sixth time under Kirby Smart the Dawgs had double-digit penalties in a game. The good news for Georgia is that the Dawgs won all six of those games.

The most penalties that Georgia ever had in a game was 18 vs. Middle Tennessee State in 2003 (they won that game, too).

(Cover Photo courtesy of Gunnar Rathbun and Georgia Sports Communications)