Georgia owns Auburn. There is no other way to express it. For nearly a decade, the rivalry between the Georgia Bulldogs football and the Auburn Tigers football has tilted decisively in one direction. Georgia is riding a nine game winning streak over Auburn, and the imbalance stretches well beyond that recent run.
Under head coach Kirby Smart, Georgia has fallen to Auburn just once. Even that lone setback was quickly erased, as the Bulldogs got their revenge later that same season in the 2017 SEC Championship Game. Looking at the broader picture, Georgia has captured 18 of the past 21 matchups, leaving little room for debate about which program has held the upper hand in recent years.
The question, then, is simple. Why has Georgia been so dominant? Auburn has fielded several strong teams over that span, so what continues to hold the Tigers back in this rivalry?
Interestingly, part of the answer may have surfaced at the NFL Combine, thanks to former Auburn lineman Dillon Wade.
“I can tolerate Georgia… but I hate Alabama.”
Auburn will never top Georgia again with this mindset
During his press conference at the NFL Combine, Wade addressed his feelings about Auburn’s biggest rivals. It has long been understood that Alabama Crimson Tide football sits at the top of that list for the Tigers, and Wade’s comment reinforced that reality. However, his admission that he can “tolerate” Georgia raised eyebrows.
At Georgia, there is no such tolerance when it comes to Auburn. The Bulldogs approach the matchup with intensity and urgency every season, viewing it as one of the most critical games on the schedule. That edge and emphasis may be a key factor in why the rivalry has swung so dramatically in Georgia’s favor.
If Auburn’s primary emotional focus remains elsewhere, that dynamic could continue to benefit Georgia. Wade likely intended only to emphasize his dislike for Alabama, but in doing so, he may have unintentionally highlighted why Auburn has struggled to keep pace with the Bulldogs in recent years.