Much like the Georgia players, Auburn’s collective roster has been waiting for this moment for quite a while.
But after a tough 27-23 loss to LSU on Oct. 14, chances looked slim that the Tigers could make their first trip to the SEC Championship game since 2013 with Texas A&M, Georgia, and Alabama still looming on their schedule.
Sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham said a team meeting after the LSU loss turned things around.
“After that game we got together as a team and just discussed that everything was still in front of us,” Stidham said Monday. “You could see after that there was a little more focus. We’ve done a good job of bouncing back.”
And then some. Auburn has reeled off five straight wins, including taking down Georgia and Alabama when both were ranked No. 1 at the time.
The Tigers (10-2) now will face the Bulldogs (11-1) again in Saturday's SEC Championship game at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a rematch of Auburn’s 40-17 drubbing of Georgia less than three weeks ago at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“We’re excited. This is something we’ve been looking forward to for a few years,” senior linebacker Tre’ Williams said. “It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Junior running back Kerryon Johnson couldn’t hold back when asked what it meant to him.
“This is a huge for me,” said Johnson, who comes into the contest second in the SEC in rushing with 1,276 yards, trailing only Kentucky’s Benny Snell. “This is why you go to the big-time schools.”
Yet Johnson left last week’s 26-14 win over Alabama several times with a shoulder injury, the final time in the third quarter and did not return. His status as of Tuesday is uncertain for the title game. And his absence could loom large. He ran over and through the Bulldogs defense for 167 yards in the first matchup.
“I’m working this week to get back to as healthy as I can be,” Johnson said. “We’ve been working for this game for a long time, so I’m doing everything I can to get back out there on the field. It’s football. This is week whatever it is, everyone’s banged up. But the goal is to get back out on the field.”
Williams, however, had little doubt.
“Kerryon is really tough, man. I have no doubt that he’ll be out there (to start the game),” Williams said.
Stidham, who kept things balanced in the first meeting with 214 yards and three touchdowns passing, felt the Tigers’ chances are better with Johnson than without.
“He’s carried us all season,” Stidham said of Johnson. “We need him, but if he can’t go we have other guys that are talented and can get the job done. But obviously you’d rather have your No. 1 guy out there if possible.”
All three, however, were quick to point out that they know the Bulldogs will come in looking for a measure of revenge as both teams are still alive for a top four berth in the College Football Playoff.
“Georgia has a very good team. They’re going to bring their ‘A-game’ I’m sure,” Williams said.
“Georgia’s defense is really, really good. I think we may have played our best game of the season on offense (in the first game) so we know that it will be very tough,” Stidham said.
“It will be a little weird playing them again but I think both teams are better since the first game,” Johnson said. “We’ll need to bring our best because I’m sure they’re wanting a little revenge.”
