Auburn (6-2) at No.21 Georgia (5-2)                  3:30 pm EST
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ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- No. 21 Georgia and Auburn renew the
oldest rivalry in the South when they meet for the 105th time
Saturday at Sanford Stadium. 

Both teams have had a week off to regroup from losses. Auburn,
which is hoping to get back to the Southeastern Conference
championship game for the second straight year, had a four-game
winning streak snapped with a 42-17 loss at Arkansas on October
27. 

The Tigers (6-2, 4-1 SEC West) are in better shape than Georgia
(5-2, 4-2 East) as they still have a one-game lead over
Mississippi in their division. Georgia's SEC hopes likely ended
with a 24-10 loss to Florida. 

Prior to the disappointing loss at Arkanas, Auburn had won its
previous four games either on a late field goal or in overtime.
The combined winning margin of the four games was 15 points. 

But defense suddenly has to be a concern for the Tigers, who
have allowed more than 40 points in their last two contests.
They struggled to get past Louisiana Tech, 48-41, in overtime on
October 20 before getting burned at Arkansas. 

Georgia hopes to have running back Musa Smith back at full
strength. After missing the Kentucky game on October 20, Smith
returned against Florida, but carried only four times for 12
yards. 

The bye week proved costly to the Bulldogs' defensive line. Bruce 
Adrine tore up a knee and is out for the year while Josh Mallard
is doubtful this week with a sprained knee.

Auburn also will have to contend with a pair of Georgia
freshmen. Quarterback David Greene already has thrown for 1,982
yards, the third-highest total for a Georgia freshman. If he
stays healthy, Greene should pass Quincy Carter's mark of 2,484
yards set in 1998. 

Greene's favorite target is fellow freshman Fred Gibson, who has
recorded three straight 100-yard receiving games, including a
school freshman-record 201 yards against Kentucky. 

Playing at home has meant little in the Auburn-Georgia rivalry
as last year marked the first time the home team won in the
series since 1991. 

Auburn posted a 29-26 overtime victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Georgia erased a 23-13 deficit in the final 12 minutes of the
fourth quarter and forced overtime on a field goal with 41
seconds left in regulation. 

The only thing that has prevented Georgia and Auburn from
playing in the last 100-plus years is a World War. Since 1898,
the schools have played every year except 1917, 1918 and 1943. 

st 11-10-01 07:28 et