The bye week is coming to a close for the Auburn Tigers and Head Coach Alex Golesh as they had time to reflect and improve off of the performance in the first five weeks of the season.
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Following its first road game of the season in which it lost to the Tennessee Volunteers, Auburn now has another tough test ahead as it travels to Athens, Georgia to take on the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia is coming off an energetic 20-17 win on the road over the Alabama Crimson Tide, one in which it was trailing at the half and only held Alabama to three points in the final 30 minutes.
Bulldogs Head Coach Kirby Smart has only lost this rivalry game once since he has been in Athens, and the Tigers have not tallied a win in this series since 2017.
Auburn is currently sitting at 3-2 on the season with a 1-2 mark in SEC play. Meanwhile, Georgia is still perfect at 6-0 with a 4-0 record in conference.
With another renewal of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry on the horizon, here are some players to watch on both sides when the teams hit the field at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
Georgia Bulldogs
Nate Frazier (RB):
One of the many strengths that the Bulldogs are carrying with them this season is the depth of their running back room, and despite Frazier not playing last week, Georgia did a number with its ground attack. Frazier now returns to the field this Saturday with a head of steam, and with 211 yards and five touchdowns so far on the year, his ability to get yards on each carry will be dangerous. The junior has yet to score on the Tigers in his last two times playing them, but his twitchiness and speed will allow him to do a number when his name gets called.
Raylen Wilson (LB):
It’s simply no secret that Raylen Wilson is one of the next men up when it comes to future Bulldogs in the NFL. The senior linebacker is currently the leading tackler for Georgia, making it his goal to only get better as the season goes along. Being one of the veteran leaders of the defensive front, Wilson currently has more than 30 tackles in the first half of the season, with the majority of those coming in the last three weeks. His game IQ on the defensive side of the football truly helps elevate his game, adding to the strengths of why the Bulldogs defense is extremely talented.
Ellis Robinson IV (DB):
If you want to talk about a defensive star who is quick and has great coverage skills on the boundary, meet Ellis Robinson IV. The junior corner was highly recruited when he came out of high school and is truly beginning to show why in 2026. Through six games of the season, Robinson is already nearing his tackle total from 2025 with 13 so far, which is tied for the most by a defensive back on the roster. He has allowed just 15 receptions on 35 targets so far, elevating his stock for the NFL Draft as a potential first-round pick in 2027.
Auburn Tigers
Omar Mabson II (RB):
Among a struggling running game in the midst of a struggling Auburn offense, Omar Mabson II has the chance to be a real light in this game. That is not to say that Jeremiah Cobb will not be, by Cobb averaging 6.7 yards a carry on 32 attempts is a stat that proves his efficiency. With his small size at 5-foot-9, Mabson can squeeze through small holes and fit in tight gaps. Being able to find any sort of wrinkle in the Georgia defense and cutting things up in a gap can allow him to get yardage, ultimately putting the Tigers offense in a position to move the ball. The intriguing question is—how many carries does he get in Athens?
Keshaun Singleton (WR):
It feels like if there is any receiver that is going to need to step up in the air attack, Keshaun Singleton is going to have to be that guy. Just like he did at USF, Singleton is the leading receiver in this Byrum Brown-led offense. However, sometimes in big games, getting a few chunk plays from top receivers has been something Auburn has done in order to get the ball down the field. If Singleton can find enough open space to maneuver, he may be given a chance to do something with it. That in its own right has the chance to provide some life, which is crucial if the Tigers are to keep up with the Bulldogs.
Bryce Deas (LB):
The big story of Xavier Atkins not being with the team this week has begged the question of who will need to step up in his absence. While Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin has confidence that his linebacker room as a whole is prepared and can have anyone rise to the occasion, Bryce Deas is likely to be the main face playing with Elijah Melendez. While he only has 15 tackles on the year, the sophomore was highly touted out of St. Frances Academy for a reason. His athleticism is where his game truly shines, as he has an ability to cover ground on the field. That will need to show up in order to cover the hole that Atkins provides as an all-around enforcer in the middle of the defense.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
