Auburn star Keldric Faulk says the Tigers are eager to play Georgia because they want to change the narrative against

Auburn star Keldric Faulk has certainly caught the spotlight this summer at SEC Media Days, where he didn’t shy away from speaking hard truths or revealing the fire in his soul. One comment, in particular, drew attention: when asked about the possibility of the Tigers losing their annual showdown against Georgia due to potential changes in scheduling—like a nine-game conference slant—Faulk dropped a near-defiant statement: “We can’t do that. Georgia is one of the games that we look forward to playing. We have to keep Georgia on our schedule” (On3).

Those words show more than just respect for tradition; they reveal a deeper hunger within this Auburn squad, embodied by a rising star in Faulk. The rivalry between Auburn and Georgia—aptly called the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, beginning in 1892—is no mere contest. It’s woven into the very fabric of SEC football and Southern sports culture ( Faulk’s comments underscore a belief that playing Georgia isn’t just important—it’s essential. It’s a statement that Auburn isn’t interested in convenience or softer paths; they want the biggest test, the fiercest rival, the opportunity to change the narrative against their Southeastern neighbor.

That narrative isn’t a great one for Auburn recently. Georgia has dominated the series since 2006, winning 17 of the last 20 matchups as of this spring, including the 2017 SEC Championship Game and eight consecutive victories in the series ( Auburn trail in the all-time records—65–56–8—though the teams remain evenly matched across more than a century. Still, Georgia has held the upper hand for nearly two decades. When Faulk insists Auburn “looks forward to playing Georgia,” it speaks volumes about Auburn’s mindset; they don’t fear the Bulldogs. On the contrary, they crave the opportunity to rewrite their own history.

Faulk, still just 19, is already emerging as a cornerstone of that rewrite. Entering 2025, he’s not just a junior defensive lineman who turned heads as Auburn’s youngest ever Media Days rep; he’s a cornerstone. He earned the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week earlier in his career, and he’s carrying an explosive vision for Auburn’s defense—calling it may rank among the best in the country by season’s end At Media Days, Faulk spoke with conviction: “We’re coming into the season with high hopes and confidence that we can do anything in the world,” he said. “I feel our defense could be the best in the country, in my opinion … We have so many guys that played last year … another year of maturity.”

This isn’t empty optimism. Faulk’s numbers back him up—seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 45 total tackles in 2024. Over two seasons, he’s amassed 81 tackles and eight sacks, solidifying projections that he could be a first-round NFL pick And far from resting on his laurels, Faulk has embraced leadership. Last season, as a sophomore, he led pre-game talks, rallied the troops, and pulled younger players like his brother J.J. into Auburn’s fold . That leadership extends beyond brotherly love; it’s about forming a defensive identity that can choke out opposing offenses—including Georgia’s.

The significance of Faulk’s voice on the Georgia matchup is clear. Rivalry games aren’t just another tick on the schedule—they’re battlegrounds where seasons are won or lost, identities reaffirmed or redefined. Georgia has held Auburn at bay. But by publicly declaring that Auburn “has to keep Georgia on our schedule,” Faulk is leaning into risk. He’s declaring a willingness to face the toughest tests and to shake rust off old reputations. He wants the Tigers to embrace the fight.

Equally significant is Auburn’s broader approach this season. Head coach Hugh Freeze reshaped the offense, added depth, addressed special teams, and reaffirmed the defense as Auburn’s engine Faulk’s voice complements that vision. As he told ESPN, “the Tigers’ defensive front is ready to bring the heat”. That brings us back to Georgia: Auburn isn’t looking for an easy win. They want war.

What makes Faulk’s statement even more resonant is that scheduling changes are real threats. The SEC has flirted with a nine-game conference schedule, which raises the chance of some traditional rivalry games being lost. Faulk’s stance frames those changes as more than logistical concerns—they’re existential. By labeling the Georgia game “one of the games that we look forward to playing,” Faulk asserts that losing it would damage Auburn’s identity—not to mention fan morale, recruiting momentum, and program pride. Richard on3 put it this way: “We can’t do that… We have to keep Georgia on our schedule” (On3). Those aren’t just words—they’re a rallying cry.

And it’s being heard up the chain of command. Even Georgia coach Kirby Smart, when asked about the possibility of dropping Auburn, admitted it would be a tragedy. “I would hate to lose that one,” he said (On3). If Auburn fans needed proof that the rivalry still burns bright, they have it.

This intensity isn’t happening in a vacuum. Auburn has a defensive nucleus with youth and promise—especially in the secondary, which Faulk believes is far more mature and experienced than a year ago . When Faulk says he wants his defense to be the most physical on the field, he’s articulating a tangible identity—one built in trenches, on drive after drive, sack after sack. That vision is tailor-made for rivalry games, where physical edges are won, and reputations are shattered.

What’s more, Faulk’s leadership isn’t theoretical. He’s taken charge verbally and by example. SI.com notes that he’s “one of the team’s leaders in what could be his final season on the planks,” and that Auburn fans listen when he speaks (SI). At SEC Media Days, he dressed sharply and carried himself with confidence—yet he kept the message simple, team-focused, hungry. He and J.J. Faulk’s pairing on the team adds layers of legacy: “A dream come true,” he said of being able to play with his brother (auburntigers.com). Legacy and family tie into pride, which tie into rivalry.

When Auburn lines up against Georgia on October 11, 2025, it won’t just be another game—it’ll be the embodiment of Faulk’s words. It will be Auburn’s chance to enact change, on the field and in the minds of the broader college football world. They’ll be facing the dominant SEC East champion, the team on a roll since 2017, and the team Auburn has staggered, but not beaten. Against Georgia, there’s no room for slip-ups. There’s no tolerance for excuses. There’s only opportunity to flip the narrative.

That dynamic shapes more than just a single game. It frames Auburn’s season, its recruit appeal, and its national perception. A win at Georgia would signal that Auburn’s defense is legit, its leadership cohesive, and Faulk—along with his teammates—is capable of rewriting the rivalry balance. A loss would satisfy critics, but Faulk won’t let his team set modest expectations. At Media Days he wasn’t drawing maps of moral victories or style points. He talked sacks. He talked dominance. He talked about being the best defense in the country. That’s the kind of mentality it takes to beat a dynasty like Georgia.

This narrative carries real weight. It transcends schedules. It goes beyond recruiting visits or NIL hype. It touches on pride, history, and cultural heritage. Auburn alumni, current students, recruits, and national audiences tune in not just to witness a game, but to witness a statement. When Faulk wants Georgia on the schedule, he’s saying Auburn wants opportunity. They want respect. They want redemption that’s earned, not granted.

Watching Faulk’s journey— from five-star recruit, to freshman phenom (SEC All-Freshman 2023), to team leader—is witnessing more than a player’s maturation. It’s watching the evolution of an identity. It’s watching Auburn’s defense claim responsibility for the resurgence of a program hungrier than it’s been in years . It’s embracing what college football thrives on: rivalries, intensity, lineage. It’s defining a season—and potentially an era—on the turbulence of October nights in the SEC.

Auburn doesn’t shy away from questions like, “Can you beat Georgia?” Instead, they lean in. With Faulk representing their voice, they declare, “We have to keep Georgia on our schedule.” They’re not just preparing—they’re primed. They’re not just hopeful—they’re hungry. And come October, they’ll have a shot to prove whether Faulk’s words were just bravado—or a prophecy in the making.

So when Auburn and Georgia collide next season, there’s more than a trophy at stake. There’s a story unfolding, and Keldric Faulk is determined to be at the center—leading, performing, and changing the narrative one play at a time. Because in Auburn’s eyes, winning that game isn’t optional. It’s imperative. And for Faulk, everything else is noise.