MOBILE, Ala. — Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham got three cracks at Georgia in only two years, having transferred in after starting his career at Baylor and spending a year in the junior college ranks.
Stidham went 1-2 against the Bulldogs, splitting the meetings in “The South’s Oldest Rivalry” in 2017 before falling last season in Sanford Stadium, 27-19.
Stidham was 24-of-36 passing for 163 yards in the game, but his longest completion went for just 20 yards.
The week of practice leading up to the Senior Bowl (TV: 2:30 p.m. NFL Network) has gone considerably better for Stidham, who was named one of five offensive practice players of the week by a poll of NFL scouts.
“The great thing about the SEC is it prepares you for the NFL,” Stidham said this week. “There’s going to be a jump going form college to pro, but that’s why we’re here.”
Stidham, the MVP of the Music City Bowl after Auburn smashed Purdue, 63-14, said three of the top four secondaries he faced this season were in the SEC.
“I think right off the top of my head, you talk about Alabama, Georgia and LSU, and Washington as well,” Stidham said. “Those four right there are some of the best secondaries in the country.”
As for what separates the Tigers’ rivalry with Georgia from in-state foe Alabama, Stidham seemed stumped.
“I’m still kind of new to it, but they are both unique in their own way, there’s a lot of tradition with both of those rivalries,” Stidham said. “I’m pretty sure a lot of people at Auburn don’t like Georgia, just like they don’t like Alabama.”
Georgia’s biggest rival is Florida according to an unscientific DawgNation poll conducted this season, with Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Alabama all drawing votes.
Georgia leads the all-time series with Auburn, 59-56-8.
Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham
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