College Football: Auburn Tigers Always Have a Georgia Flavor

Not only is the Auburn vs. Georgia series the deep south's oldest rivalry running with over 100 meetings, but it also provides one of the real unique storylines for Auburn every year.

Georgia has always produced lots of college talent, and with Auburn almost being on the Georgia line, just across from Columbus, Georgia, it makes sense that Auburn has always had a very strong presence of Georgia players on their roster.

The 2009 version of the Auburn Tigers has 20 players from the state of Georgia, including starters such as receiver Darvin Adams, receiver/running back Mario Fannin, and starting cornerback Neiko Thorpe.

These players though are just more in a long line of Auburn greats that have called the state of Georgia home.

William Andrews, a native of Thomasville, Georgia, was an Auburn great in the late 1970's and went on to be a four time Pro Bowler in the NFL.

At that same time, a back by the name of James Brooks, a native of Warner Robins, Georgia, was racking up yards at Auburn becoming the Tigers' third all-time leading rusher with 3,500 plus career yards. Brooks was a first round draft pick and an All-American at Auburn.

Then came the early 1980's when a back by the name of "Little Train" Lionel James continued the Auburn running back pipeline. James was from Albany, Georgia, and went on to become a 2,000 plus yard career rusher at Auburn and earn a career in the NFL where he set an NFL record in 1985 for all purpose yards in a season.

Then the late 1980's brought Auburn two great linemen from the state of Georgia.

Stacy Searels was an All-American offensive linemen in 1987, originally from Rome, Georgia. Searels is currently Georgia's offensive line coach as well.

The other Auburn great at that time was Tracy Rocker, from Atlanta, Georgia. Rocker was a true Auburn legend winning both the Outland and Lombardi awards in 1988, and is currently Auburn's defensive line coach.

That should make for an interesting battle to watch for Saturday; former Auburn linemen on either side of the ball, now coaching against each other.

The last 15 years have produced even more Auburn greats.

All-American and 12 year NFL veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes was a star for the Tigers in the mid 1990's; Spikes is from Augusta, Georgia.

Then came a trio that helped lead Auburn to an undefeated season in 2004. All-American and two time Pro Bowl offensive linemen Marcus McNeill was an anchor for three years out of Ellenwood, Georgia.

The 2004 Thorpe Award winner and a first round draft pick at cornerback was Carlos Rogers, also from Augusta, and of course the second overall draft pick in the 2005 NFL draft, running back Ronnie Brown was from Rome, Georgia.

It's truly amazing to look at not only the sheer number of players Auburn gets from Georgia, but the amount of players from the bordering state that become stars at Auburn instead of the home state Georgia Bulldogs.

The connection doesn't just stop with players though. Maybe the most important connection Auburn has with the state of Georgia is that of Pat Dye. Dye came to Auburn in 1981 to become it's new head coach.

12 years later, Dye had won four SEC championships, won seven bowl games, and was a three time SEC coach of the year.

What's the connection you ask?

Dye was born in Blythe, Georgia and played football for the University of Georgia from 1958-1960.

All this, and not even talking about Georgia's connection with Auburn University. Georgia's legendary head coach Vince Dooley played quarterback at Auburn from 1951-1953, and current Georgia defensive line coach Rodney Garner played at Auburn and was an All-American in 1988.

That's why this rivalry is truly so special.

It's not just about the amount of times these teams have played, although that is what makes it the "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry."

For Auburn, it's always been about the number of players they have from their neighboring state of Georgia, and the emotion that comes with playing against your home state school in such a big rivalry game.

No doubt that won't be any different Saturday night for the 20 players on Auburn's team that call Georgia home, and it's certainly an emotion that all the former Auburn greats that came before them from that state can relate to.