The 130th edition in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry is here, and Auburn is an underdog once again.

Georgia isn’t the same team it was from 2021-2023, but the Bulldogs are still ranked No. 10 in the country, hold a 4-1 record and haven’t lost to the Tigers since 2017. Despite those factors, they’re not a heavy favorite, with the line currently favoring Georgia by 3.5 points, according to BetMGM.

Our EA Sports College Football 26 simulation wasn’t far off from that, and the game that took place in the simulation was entertaining.

With that said, here’s how the game played out in that simulation compared to predictions from AL.com Auburn beat writers Peter Rauterkus and Jerry Humphrey III.

EA Sports College Football 26 simulation

Score: Georgia 34, Auburn 31

The final score in our simulation nearly mirrored what the spread is going into this weekend’s game. How it happened lived up to the hype of what Auburn-Georgia games can be.

Auburn held a 14-6 in halftime of the simulation, but Georgia raced back in the second half, at one point leading 31-17 in the fourth quarter. The Tigers didn’t go away, tying the game at 31 with 35 seconds to go, but Georgia won on a walk-off, 37-yard field goal.

Jackson Arnold led the offensive charge for Auburn in the simulation, throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns on 27-for-35 passing. Malcolm Simmons was his top target with eight catches for 169 yards and a touchdown.

The Tigers had issues stopping Georgia’s passing attack in the simulation, though, as Gunner Stockton threw for 400 yards and a touchdown. Running back Nate Frazier was his best target with 148 receiving yards and a touchdown, with 86 of those yards coming on a screen pass that went for a touchdown.

Peter Rauterkus

Score: Georgia 24, Auburn 20

Analysis: Auburn hasn’t been good in SEC play, at least not on offense. Georgia isn’t the Georgia of a few years ago, but the Bulldogs still have a talent advantage over the Tigers.

However, this is probably the closest the talent gap has been between the two teams in a long time. Auburn was a touchdown away from flipping each of its first two results in SEC play, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t put up the same kind of fight against Georgia.

But with those two results, and many other prior near misses under Freeze in mind, it’s hard for me to believe Auburn will turn one of these close games into win, not against a team like Georgia.

Auburn’s defense should keep the game close, but I’m not confident in the offense making enough plays to win.

Jerry Humphrey III

Score: Georgia 31, Auburn 21

Analysis: Auburn’s offense has not proved enough in SEC play for me to believe they can outscore Georgia.

With Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze promising a better product on the field this week in practice, a solid performance from that side of the ball could be the difference in this year’s installment of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

Returning back to Jordan-Hare Stadium after two back-to-back games on the road should also give Auburn the edge to keep things close Saturday.

Four of the last six meetings in Jordan-Hare Stadium have been decided by one score. However, that won’t happen Saturday if Auburn’s offense plays like it did in the last two weeks.

Standings

Jerry Humphrey III: 5-0

The machine: 5-0

Peter Rauterkus: 3-2