Auburn message boards have been hot and bothered over the last few days, wondering whether linebacker Xavier Atkins is off the team.
Rumors have spread that Alex Golesh and the coaching staff dismissed him sometime over the past week due to disciplinary issues.
Atkins was not kicked off the team. He may be absent for the Georgia game, though.
Atkins has dealt with disciplinary issues all season. The Tigers' leading sack artist missed a few drives in Auburn's 43-8 win over Southern Miss in Week 2.
The Tigers travel to Athens to take on the Dawgs as three-possession underdogs.
Without Atkins, the challenge becomes seemingly insurmountable.
UGA offense a major challenge for Auburn with or without Xavier Atkins
UGA's offense is a well-oiled machine in every way possible. With or without Atkins, the Dawgs would be a massive problem.
Where Atkins helps is being able to track down all of Georgia's athletes.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton is adept at airing it out in the passing game or stealing a few yards out of broken plays.
The running back room is deep, having been able to overcome the injury loss of Chauncey Bowens. Bo Walker and Dwight Phillips Jr. amassed 189 yards against Alabama this past Saturday in a 20-17 win for the Dawgs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Combine the backfield talent with a stout offensive line and receiving corps that blocks with great discipline, and you have an offense that is nearly unstoppable based on the early returns in 2026.
Atkins is one of the Auburn defenders capable of keeping up. Without him, a junior whose season ended early in 2025 due to shoulder surgery is thrust into a major role.
De'Marcus Riddick can make his mark in the Georgia game
De'Marcus Riddick would be the main beneficiary of Atkins' absence on the weak side.
Riddick hasn't played much during the 2026 season, amassing just five tackles and a pass deflection in two appearances against USM and Tennessee.
Riddick's versatility allows him to serve as an A- and B-Gap shooter like Atkins, while also dropping back in coverage.
Having flipped from Georgia during his high school recruitment, Riddick could make this one personal by having a breakout game Between the Hedges.
Golesh is taking a gamble if he doesn't allow Atkins to play. He'd look like a genius if Riddick could pick up the slack.
Time will tell. At 3-2, the Tigers don't have much time to turn this season around after a 1-2 start in SEC play.
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