Live Updates: Kirby Smart at Georgia vs. Auburn media day

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia is ready to hit the road for the first time this season. The Bulldogs, after four straight games and four wins, are headed to Auburn this Saturday with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. It’ll be the 128th playing of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry and the Bulldogs are a 14-point road favorite.

The first meeting between Georgia and Auburn took place in 1892 and the two programs have squared off 127 times in all. Due to a great deal of recent success, UGA has taken control of the all time series with a record 63-56-8. As recently as a decade ago the all-time point differential in this series was in the single digits, but the Bulldogs have won six in a row, 10 of the last 11, and 18 of the last 21. Each of those three wins over the past 21 years, however, have come at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn’s last win over Georgia was a memorable one. The Bulldogs traveled Southwest to take on their old rival in November of 2017 as the No. 1 team in the country. Auburn owned the day, winning the game 40-17. Kirby Smart and company got revenge less than a month later when the two teams squared off in the SEC Championship game, the only such meeting between the two schools. UGA took down the Tigers 28-7 to win its first SEC title in 12 years and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Smart will get the week started on Monday with his regular media-day press conference. DawgsHQ is in attendance and we’ll be providing live updates with the notable comments from the eighth-year head coach. Use the refresh button on your browser to see the updates we post in the space below.

*** “Road SEC tests are always difficult,” Smart says. “There’s no way around it.” He mentions how the trip to Auburn is Georgia’s first one and his respect for Hugh Freeze, his success at previous spots.

*** Smart says that Carson Beck has gone up against good defenses in practice at Georgia but it is different live. Mentions how Beck has been at UGA awhile and has a great understanding of the offense but this will be the first time he is challenged on the road.

*** Smart calls AU QB Peyton Thorne a good athlete and says he doesn’t get the credit he deserves as an athlete. Then he says Robby Ashford is a completely different challenge because he brings a size/speed combo that you do not often see at that position.

*** Smart calls Jamon Dumas-Johnson a good leader and more vocal this year. Says JDJ has the pulse of the team and knows when to push and encourage. Dumas-Johnson said earlier today that he would characterize his play this season as “average.”

*** Smart says that Ladd McConkey needs to be able to practice in order to play. Says that a two-week advised shutdown is over and that he’s going to be back out there today in a non-contact capacity. Smart says that the plan is for McConkey to work up to contact later in the week.

*** Smart says he expects Javon Bullard to do more this week and they’re hoping to get him back for the Auburn game. Says that he’s not concerned with the guys behind Bullard if he can’t go and that he has confidence in Dan Jackson and David Daniel-Sisavahn.

*** Smart says that Gabe Harris is coming along and they are trying to speed up his development. He says he does not expect Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins back this week. Says that he’s hopeful to get Mykel Williams back this week and he’s over his illness.

*** Smart says that the consistency in performance hasn’t been there at Georgia. He likes how guys have flown around but the play has seemingly changed from drive to drive. Also mentions how the standard for UGA defense is incredibly high and probably higher than many from the outside understand.

*** Smart says that Andrew Paul has improved tremendously in pass pro. Says that he’s basically a true freshman and he’s getting his reps and improving with them.