The top-ranked team in the nation has suffered defeats in consecutive weeks.
Just a week after defeating No. 6 Alabama to ascend to the first position in the AP Top 25, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton committed three turnovers, allowing the Tigers to secure a field goal as time ran out for a 27-24 triumph.
Alex McPherson’s decisive kick was made possible by a fumble from Stockton. After the Georgia defense created an opportunity for the Bulldogs to clinch the game, Stockton lost possession while colliding with center Drew Bobo with 58 seconds remaining.
McPherson’s 34-yard field goal attempt was 15 yards shorter than what it could have potentially been due to Gabe Harris’ roughing the passer infraction against Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown with only 14 seconds left. This marked the third personal foul incurred by a Georgia player.
The Bulldogs ascended to the top spot following Texas’s loss to an unranked Oklahoma. On Saturday, Auburn stepped into the role of spoiler. This victory marked the Tigers’ first win in the rivalry series since 2017 and signifies the first instance since 1990 of the No. 1 team in the AP poll losing to an unranked team in consecutive weeks.
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Auburn scored 24 unanswered points to establish a 24-14 advantage on a touchdown run by Brown. While the Tigers found the end zone four times in six possessions, Georgia encountered three punts, two interceptions, and a missed field goal on their six significant drives after initially scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions.
It was a challenging game for Stockton, who had one of his best performances in Georgia’s previous victory over Alabama. Just a week earlier, Stockton completed 18 of 22 passes for 249 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception while also contributing a rushing score. In contrast, on Saturday, he completed 22 of 34 passes for 272 yards along with two passing touchdowns, alongside his three turnovers.
Auburn’s most significant victory in years
Can Auburn’s supporters begin to feel a sense of hope? The Tigers have endured a tough patch with five consecutive losing seasons since the dismissal of Gus Malzahn toward the end of a 6-5 season in 2020.
Alex Golesh was appointed after the 2025 season following Hugh Freeze’s termination with three games remaining. Freeze had taken over from Bryan Harsin, who lasted only 21 games before being let go.
Prior to Saturday’s match, Auburn hadn’t defeated a ranked team since the conclusion of the 2024 season, when they upset No. 15 Texas A&M 43-41. That victory was the team’s first over a ranked opponent since they defeated then-No. 10 Ole Miss in 2021.
Indeed, the situation has been tough on the Plains as squads like Missouri and Vanderbilt have achieved double-digit winning seasons, while Auburn has struggled.
However, signs are emerging on how Auburn can potentially ascend into the competitive middle tier of the SEC. Particularly if they can secure another victory in October. The Tigers face off against No. 22 LSU in Week 8 before welcoming No. 9 Ole Miss on Halloween.
On the other hand, Georgia has wasted the significant advantage they gained from the win over Alabama. Every SEC team now has at least one loss in conference play, with seven teams already holding two losses. Deciphering the state of the conference at the halfway mark of the season is becoming increasingly challenging. It’s turned into a true test of unpredictability.
