Latest news with #PrayeratJordan-Hare
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kirby Smart is looking forward to Georgia's night game at Auburn. 'It's a challenge.'
Auburn will face Georgia at JHS in the primetime window. The Georgia head coach spoke on the time slot Tuesday at SEC Media Days. One of the most highly anticipated games on the SEC docket this season will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Jordan-Hare Stadium when the Auburn Tigers host the Georgia Bulldogs. Not only will the game be another chapter in "The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry," but the game will also be played at night for the first time since 2014. Jordan-Hare Stadium, especially during night games, is one of the most electrifying atmospheres in college football, which is why some are putting the defending SEC champions on upset alert ahead of their trip to the Plains. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was asked about the upcoming game and to describe the atmosphere at Auburn's home stadium. Smart jokingly responded with "you want me to pump up Jordan-Hare?" before giving the atmosphere a ton of credit. 'It's already one of the iconic places to play college football,' Smart said via 'Some of the greatest games in SEC history have come out of that stadium. It's one of the toughest places to play in college football because of the passion and environment that they create.' Georgia has won eight games in a row over Auburn, but has lost several heartbreaking games inside Jordan-Hare Stadium over the last 15 years. The Bulldogs lost to Auburn, 40-17, in 2017 when they were ranked No. 1 in the country. A few other examples include the 2013 "Prayer at Jordan-Hare" game when Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall connected with wide receiver Ricardo Louis on a tipped pass within the final minute to escape an upset bid by the Bulldogs, and the 2010 game when Cam Newton led the Tigers to a 49-31 win. Smart was also asked about the possibility of the SEC switching to a nine-game format, which could affect the annual meeting between the Tigers and Bulldogs. Smart says that the annual rivalry game is one that he would hate to lose due to the tradition of the game, which has been played 129 times. 'That's a tradition I love,' Smart said. "I grew up in southwest Georgia where it was easier to get to Auburn than it was Georgia from where I lived. So, I respect that rivalry, but they're all big games." Check back throughout SEC football media days for Auburn-related news as the event continues. Check out the latest from SEC media days here. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where does Jordan-Hare Stadium land in USA TODAY Sports' SEC stadium ranking?
Where does USA TODAY Sports rank the home of the Tigers ahead of the 2025 season? If you were to ask SEC football players, current and past, most would tell you that Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of the toughest venues to play in. From the pregame eagle flight to many classic finishes, Jordan-Hare Stadium is a bucket list stadium for college football fans everywhere. How does the home of the Auburn Tigers rank among the rest of the SEC heading into the 2025 season? Blake Toppmeyer of USA TODAY Sports shares his take on the subject. Toppmeyer recently ranked every SEC stadium from the toughest to the least tough, placing Jordan-Hare in the middle at No. 8 out of 16 stadiums. When describing Jordan-Hare Stadium, Toppmeyer channels his inner Nick Saban, who once called the stadium "haunted" by saying that Jordan-Hare "uncorks a strange voodoo magic on opponents" due to some of the crazy finishes the stadium has seen in recent years. The most recent example came last November when Auburn defeated No. 15 Texas A&M in four overtimes. Other games of note include the "Kick Six", the "Prayer at Jordan-Hare" and the 1994 game against LSU, where Auburn erased a 23-9 deficit by picking off LSU quarterback Jaime Howard five times, returning three for touchdowns, in the final quarter to win, 30-26. Jordan-Hare Stadium ranks above several venues including Texas' Darryl K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State, and Kroger Field at Kentucky, but is below several iconic venues such as South Carolina's Williams Brice Stadium, Georgia's Sanford Stadium, and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, which ranks No. 1. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
SEC football schedule expansion debate looms at spring meetings
Stay at eight conference games, or go to nine, I don't much care anymore. Just put the schedule format to a vote in what will be a high-profile discussion item this week at the SEC spring meetings and make a decision. As it stands, the SEC has approved no schedule format beyond the upcoming 2025 season. The SEC carried on this scheduling charade for years since the announcement of Texas and Oklahoma joining the league. Some conference members previously pretended like they wanted an additional conference game, only to turtle up come voting time and preserve the eight-game conference schedule that's supplemented with a feast of non-conference cupcake games. HEATED MATCHUPS: Ranking the 10 best SEC football rivalries BEHIND CENTER: Breaking down every SEC quarterback situation Before this came up for vote the last time in 2023, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey implied that money wouldn't be a driver in the scheduling decision. Only an idiot would believe that, though. Money talks, and some conference members were reluctant two years ago to add another conference game unless ESPN, the league's media partner, put more cash on the table. ESPN didn't sweeten the pot. Sankey proclaimed before the schedule vote in 2023 that the conference at the vanguard of college athletics "does not stand still." Days later, the SEC's membership unanimously voted to stand still with an eight-game conference schedule for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Eighteen months later, the Big Ten, which plays nine conference games, led all conferences with four playoff qualifiers. The jokes write themselves. Rivalries hang in balance of SEC football schedule debate The SEC cared so much about secondary rivalries like Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee in its divisional era that it built a schedule format around maintaining those games. This next vote on the schedule will test how much resolve still exists for protecting centuries-long rivalry games. A nine-game conference schedule would allow for secondary rivalries like those two and others like Texas-Texas A&M to continue annually. Forging ahead with an eight-game format would put those secondary rivalries under threat of interruption unless the league abandons its stated goal of having all schools play each other twice during a four-year period. Rivalry scenes like the "Prayer at Jordan-Hare" and cigar-puffing Tennessee fans tearing down the goal posts and baptizing them in the river after a long-awaited win on "The Third Saturday in October" help make the SEC brand what it is. But, maybe SEC members will decide this week that it's more important to leave room on the schedule for Tennessee to play Furman and Kennesaw State - both will come to Neyland Stadium in 2026! - instead of Alabama, and for Auburn to tussle with Jacksonville State instead of Georgia. And after the Mississippi beats Wofford 92-0 in 2026, coach Lane Kiffin can chant "S-E-C! S-E-C!" and declare the strength of the SEC (half of which the Rebels didn't play) so strong that the Rebels deserve a playoff bid with their 9-3 record. Few SEC teams opt for 10 power conference games in current format Credit Alabama, Florida and South Carolina for cueing up two Power Four non-conference opponents in 2025 to accompany the eight conference games. If Florida smashes Miami and Florida State en route to a 9-3 record against a rigorous schedule, well, we might see a 9-3 playoff team for the first time. By comparison, the 13 other SEC teams will play only nine Power Four opponents. That's one fewer Power Four opponent than teams like Arizona and Central Florida will play. If Missouri can manage to fend off Central Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Massachusetts, Vanderbilt and one more SEC team, the Tigers would wrap up bowl eligibility. That's the beauty of the eight-game conference schedule: Bowl bids await for average teams that can beat bad teams in their out-of-league slate. The beauty of the SEC adding a ninth conference game would be the creation of more matchups fans want to watch and media partners want to televise. One fewer cupcake game also would bolster the SEC's case when it comes time to stump for at-large bids for bubble teams. Even better, ESPN might now be ready to fork over extra revenue in exchange for that ninth SEC game. The SEC could even time its rollout of a ninth conference game with playoff expansion that's probably coming in 2026. A bigger playoff would reduce the risk of an additional conference game thwarting a team's opportunity for playoff access. Alternatively, the SEC could stay at eight, turn up its nose at rivalries, rebuff the prospect of a bigger payday from ESPN, protect the cupcake games, and maintain the daintier conference schedule that offers minimal resistance to the league's weaker members securing a Liberty Bowl bid. At this point, there's not much left to debate. So, go on ahead, sonny, and call it to a vote. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ Follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SEC debate with 2026 football schedule expansion: Keep rivalries, or go for cupcake games?
Picture the scene in 'Shawshank Redemption' when Morgan Freeman's character goes in front of the parole board, expecting to be rejected once again. He comments on the mockery of the proceeding and says bluntly, 'You go on and stamp your forms, sonny, and stop wasting my time, because, to tell you the truth, I don't give a (expletive).' Yeah, that just about sums up my feelings on this upcoming SEC football scheduling debate. Advertisement Stay at eight conference games, or go to nine, I don't much care anymore. Just put the schedule format to a vote in what will be a high-profile discussion item this week at the SEC spring meetings and make a decision. As it stands, the SEC has approved no schedule format beyond the upcoming 2025 season. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs with the ball against Texas during the second half in the 2024 SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The SEC carried on this scheduling charade for years since the announcement of Texas and Oklahoma joining the league. Some conference members previously pretended like they wanted an additional conference game, only to turtle up come voting time and preserve the eight-game conference schedule that's supplemented with a feast of non-conference cupcake games. Advertisement HEATED MATCHUPS: Ranking the 10 best SEC football rivalries BEHIND CENTER: Breaking down every SEC quarterback situation Before this came up for vote the last time in 2023, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey implied that money wouldn't be a driver in the scheduling decision. Only an idiot would believe that, though. Money talks, and some conference members were reluctant two years ago to add another conference game unless ESPN, the league's media partner, put more cash on the table. ESPN didn't sweeten the pot. Sankey proclaimed before the schedule vote in 2023 that the conference at the vanguard of college athletics 'does not stand still.' Days later, the SEC's membership unanimously voted to stand still with an eight-game conference schedule for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Eighteen months later, the Big Ten, which plays nine conference games, led all conferences with four playoff qualifiers. The jokes write themselves. Rivalries hang in balance of SEC football schedule debate The SEC cared so much about secondary rivalries like Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee in its divisional era that it built a schedule format around maintaining those games. This next vote on the schedule will test how much resolve still exists for protecting centuries-long rivalry games. Advertisement A nine-game conference schedule would allow for secondary rivalries like those two and others like Texas-Texas A&M to continue annually. Forging ahead with an eight-game format would put those secondary rivalries under threat of interruption unless the league abandons its stated goal of having all schools play each other twice during a four-year period. Rivalry scenes like the 'Prayer at Jordan-Hare' and cigar-puffing Tennessee fans tearing down the goal posts and baptizing them in the river after a long-awaited win on 'The Third Saturday in October' help make the SEC brand what it is. But, maybe SEC members will decide this week that it's more important to leave room on the schedule for Tennessee to play Furman and Kennesaw State – both will come to Neyland Stadium in 2026! – instead of Alabama, and for Auburn to tussle with Jacksonville State instead of Georgia. And after the Mississippi beats Wofford 92-0 in 2026, coach Lane Kiffin can chant 'S-E-C! S-E-C!' and declare the strength of the SEC (half of which the Rebels didn't play) so strong that the Rebels deserve a playoff bid with their 9-3 record. Few SEC teams opt for 10 power conference games in current format Credit Alabama, Florida and South Carolina for cueing up two Power Four non-conference opponents in 2025 to accompany the eight conference games. If Florida smashes Miami and Florida State en route to a 9-3 record against a rigorous schedule, well, we might see a 9-3 playoff team for the first time. Advertisement By comparison, the 13 other SEC teams will play only nine Power Four opponents. That's one fewer Power Four opponent than teams like Arizona and Central Florida will play. If Missouri can manage to fend off Central Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Massachusetts, Vanderbilt and one more SEC team, the Tigers would wrap up bowl eligibility. That's the beauty of the eight-game conference schedule: Bowl bids await for average teams that can beat bad teams in their out-of-league slate. The beauty of the SEC adding a ninth conference game would be the creation of more matchups fans want to watch and media partners want to televise. Advertisement One fewer cupcake game also would bolster the SEC's case when it comes time to stump for at-large bids for bubble teams. Even better, ESPN might now be ready to fork over extra revenue in exchange for that ninth SEC game. The SEC could even time its rollout of a ninth conference game with playoff expansion that's probably coming in 2026. A bigger playoff would reduce the risk of an additional conference game thwarting a team's opportunity for playoff access. Alternatively, the SEC could stay at eight, turn up its nose at rivalries, rebuff the prospect of a bigger payday from ESPN, protect the cupcake games, and maintain the daintier conference schedule that offers minimal resistance to the league's weaker members securing a Liberty Bowl bid. Advertisement At this point, there's not much left to debate. So, go on ahead, sonny, and call it to a vote. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ Follow him on X @btoppmeyer. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SEC football schedule expansion debate looms at spring meetings
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SEC debate with 2026 football schedule expansion: Keep rivalries, or go for cupcake games?
Picture the scene in 'Shawshank Redemption' when Morgan Freeman's character goes in front of the parole board, expecting to be rejected once again. He comments on the mockery of the proceeding and says bluntly, 'You go on and stamp your forms, sonny, and stop wasting my time, because, to tell you the truth, I don't give a (expletive).' Yeah, that just about sums up my feelings on this upcoming SEC football scheduling debate. Stay at eight conference games, or go to nine, I don't much care anymore. Just put the schedule format to a vote in what will be a high-profile discussion item this week at the SEC spring meetings and make a decision. As it stands, the SEC has approved no schedule format beyond the upcoming 2025 season. The SEC carried on this scheduling charade for years since the announcement of Texas and Oklahoma joining the league. Some conference members previously pretended like they wanted an additional conference game, only to turtle up come voting time and preserve the eight-game conference schedule that's supplemented with a feast of non-conference cupcake games. HEATED MATCHUPS: Ranking the 10 best SEC football rivalries BEHIND CENTER: Breaking down every SEC quarterback situation Before this came up for vote the last time in 2023, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey implied that money wouldn't be a driver in the scheduling decision. Only an idiot would believe that, though. Money talks, and some conference members were reluctant two years ago to add another conference game unless ESPN, the league's media partner, put more cash on the table. ESPN didn't sweeten the pot. Sankey proclaimed before the schedule vote in 2023 that the conference at the vanguard of college athletics 'does not stand still.' Days later, the SEC's membership unanimously voted to stand still with an eight-game conference schedule for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Eighteen months later, the Big Ten, which plays nine conference games, led all conferences with four playoff qualifiers. The jokes write themselves. The SEC cared so much about secondary rivalries like Auburn-Georgia and Alabama-Tennessee in its divisional era that it built a schedule format around maintaining those games. This next vote on the schedule will test how much resolve still exists for protecting centuries-long rivalry games. A nine-game conference schedule would allow for secondary rivalries like those two and others like Texas-Texas A&M to continue annually. Forging ahead with an eight-game format would put those secondary rivalries under threat of interruption unless the league abandons its stated goal of having all schools play each other twice during a four-year period. Rivalry scenes like the 'Prayer at Jordan-Hare' and cigar-puffing Tennessee fans tearing down the goal posts and baptizing them in the river after a long-awaited win on 'The Third Saturday in October' help make the SEC brand what it is. But, maybe SEC members will decide this week that it's more important to leave room on the schedule for Tennessee to play Furman and Kennesaw State – both will come to Neyland Stadium in 2026! – instead of Alabama, and for Auburn to tussle with Jacksonville State instead of Georgia. And after the Mississippi beats Wofford 92-0 in 2026, coach Lane Kiffin can chant 'S-E-C! S-E-C!' and declare the strength of the SEC (half of which the Rebels didn't play) so strong that the Rebels deserve a playoff bid with their 9-3 record. Credit Alabama, Florida and South Carolina for cueing up two Power Four non-conference opponents in 2025 to accompany the eight conference games. If Florida smashes Miami and Florida State en route to a 9-3 record against a rigorous schedule, well, we might see a 9-3 playoff team for the first time. By comparison, the 13 other SEC teams will play only nine Power Four opponents. That's one fewer Power Four opponent than teams like Arizona and Central Florida will play. If Missouri can manage to fend off Central Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Massachusetts, Vanderbilt and one more SEC team, the Tigers would wrap up bowl eligibility. That's the beauty of the eight-game conference schedule: Bowl bids await for average teams that can beat bad teams in their out-of-league slate. The beauty of the SEC adding a ninth conference game would be the creation of more matchups fans want to watch and media partners want to televise. One fewer cupcake game also would bolster the SEC's case when it comes time to stump for at-large bids for bubble teams. Even better, ESPN might now be ready to fork over extra revenue in exchange for that ninth SEC game. The SEC could even time its rollout of a ninth conference game with playoff expansion that's probably coming in 2026. A bigger playoff would reduce the risk of an additional conference game thwarting a team's opportunity for playoff access. Alternatively, the SEC could stay at eight, turn up its nose at rivalries, rebuff the prospect of a bigger payday from ESPN, protect the cupcake games, and maintain the daintier conference schedule that offers minimal resistance to the league's weaker members securing a Liberty Bowl bid. At this point, there's not much left to debate. So, go on ahead, sonny, and call it to a vote. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ Follow him on X @btoppmeyer. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SEC football schedule expansion debate looms at spring meetings
