Auburn Player Sends Bold Message Ahead of Georgia Clash, Says Tigers Confident and Ready to Challenge Bulldogs’ SEC Dominance
Auburn and Georgia. It’s one of the South’s oldest rivalries, steeped in tradition, intensity, and regional pride. And while recent history has favored the Bulldogs, the Tigers are making it clear they’re not backing down. With the 2025 season fast approaching, one Auburn football player has confidently voiced what many in the Tigers’ locker room are feeling: they are looking forward to the challenge of facing Georgia, and this time, they believe the result could be different.
In a recent interview, Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante didn’t mince words when discussing the Tigers’ upcoming SEC schedule. “We’re looking forward to that Georgia game. We know what kind of team they are, but we’re not intimidated,” Asante said. “This is Auburn. We’re not here to bow down to anyone.”
That kind of confidence might raise some eyebrows given the Bulldogs’ dominance in recent years. Georgia has won seven straight matchups against Auburn, most of them by double digits. Under head coach Kirby Smart, Georgia has evolved into a juggernaut — a perennial College Football Playoff contender, loaded with five-star talent and an unrelenting defense. Auburn, meanwhile, has been in transition, with coaching changes, quarterback instability, and inconsistent play defining the last few seasons.
But 2025 feels different for the Tigers. Hugh Freeze is entering his second year at the helm, and for the first time in a while, there’s a sense of direction and purpose emanating from Auburn’s program. The roster is deeper. The recruiting is heating up. The culture is changing. And for players like Asante, the message is simple: why not us?
The renewed belief inside Auburn’s locker room isn’t built on fantasy. It’s the result of tangible progress. Freeze and his staff have worked hard to instill discipline and accountability while reshaping the roster to fit their vision. That includes upgrading the offensive line, adding playmakers at receiver, and securing a more stable quarterback situation. Most importantly, Freeze has emphasized mental toughness — something that’s been missing when Auburn has faced Georgia in recent years.
Asante’s statement wasn’t just about bravado. It reflected the kind of mentality Auburn will need if it hopes to finally take down the Bulldogs. “You have to respect them — they’ve earned that,” Asante continued. “But you can’t fear them. If you walk into that game scared, you’ve already lost. We’re not scared.”
The Tigers will get their shot at Georgia early in the season when the Bulldogs visit Jordan-Hare Stadium. Unlike the raucous Sanford Stadium environment, Jordan-Hare has historically been one of the most hostile settings for visiting teams. Auburn fans still talk about the infamous 2013 “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” miracle win over Georgia, and while the Tigers haven’t replicated that magic in recent years, they believe home-field advantage could be a key factor in 2025.
The game will also be a litmus test for Freeze’s rebuilding project. While he has been given time and patience by much of the Auburn fanbase, beating Georgia — or at least pushing them to the limit — would represent a major step forward. It’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about showing Auburn can once again compete with the elite of the SEC.
That’s no small task. Georgia enters the season with one of the nation’s best defenses yet again, and quarterback Gunner Stockton is poised for a breakout year under center. Their offensive line is deep, and their stable of running backs remains among the best in college football. The Bulldogs are loaded — again.
Still, there are reasons to believe Auburn could at least make it a game. Defensively, the Tigers are more experienced, with veterans like Asante, Kayin Lee, and Jalen McLeod providing leadership and physicality. Auburn’s defensive coordinator Ron Roberts has had a full year to implement his scheme, and early reports from spring practice suggest the defense has taken a noticeable step forward in speed and aggression.
On the offensive side, Freeze is counting on growth from new quarterback Hank Brown, a promising sophomore who showed poise during spring ball. Brown’s connection with receivers like Cam Coleman and Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis gives Auburn an explosive element they lacked last year. And with Jarquez Hunter returning in the backfield, Auburn has the kind of offensive balance that can keep Georgia’s defense honest — if the offensive line can hold up.
That’s where the game could be won or lost. Georgia’s defensive front is relentless, with All-American caliber talent at nearly every position. If Auburn’s line can’t protect Brown or open lanes for Hunter, the offense could sputter quickly. But the Tigers believe their upgrades in the trenches — including the additions of USC transfer Elijah Paige and former four-star lineman Bradyn Joiner — will give them a fighting chance.
It’s not just about physical matchups either. Freeze will need to be at his best as a play-caller. Known for his creativity and aggressive approach, Freeze has never been one to shy away from taking risks. He may have to empty the playbook against Georgia, mixing tempo, formations, and misdirection to keep the Bulldogs off balance. The element of surprise could be Auburn’s biggest weapon.
Beyond strategy, it’s the psychological barrier that Auburn must overcome. Georgia’s dominance has created a mental edge — one that’s hard to shake. For Asante and the rest of the team, changing that mindset has been a point of emphasis. “Every week we talk about competing, not just playing,” Asante said. “We’re not stepping on the field just to participate. We’re coming to win. That’s the difference this year.”
That confidence is infectious, and Freeze has welcomed it. “I want our guys to believe,” Freeze said in a recent press conference. “You can’t accomplish anything meaningful in this league without belief. Georgia is the standard right now, and that’s who we’re trying to catch. But you don’t catch them by playing scared or making excuses.”
The message is clear: Auburn isn’t afraid of Georgia anymore. Whether that belief turns into results remains to be seen, but it’s a notable shift in tone. In past years, the Tigers have entered the Georgia game hoping for an upset. In 2025, they’re preparing for a fight.
The rivalry has always been personal. Dubbed the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry,” Auburn vs. Georgia dates back to 1892. The two programs have battled nearly every year since, with national championship implications often hanging in the balance. While Georgia has owned the recent stretch, the series remains closely contested historically, with only a few wins separating the two teams over more than a century of football.
For Freeze, this year’s matchup offers a golden opportunity. Beating Georgia — or even pushing them to the brink — could shift the narrative around Auburn football. It could prove that the Tigers are no longer rebuilding, but rising. It could ignite recruiting, energize the fanbase, and silence skeptics who question whether Auburn can truly compete with the SEC’s elite.
It could also send a message to the rest of the conference: Auburn is back.
But to do that, they’ll have to beat the best. And Georgia, for now, is still the gold standard. The Tigers know that. But for the first time in years, they don’t seem daunted by it.
“We respect them,” Asante said. “But we’re not scared of anybody.”
That mindset may not guarantee a win, but it guarantees a fight. And in a rivalry as deep-rooted and fierce as this one, that’s where it always starts. Auburn is ready. Georgia is coming. And the Tigers, for once, aren’t just bracing for it — they’re looking forward to it.
