Auburn football given surprising respect by Kirby Smart and his Dawgs

Auburn football is receiving eyebrow-raising respect from the Georgia Bulldogs football program at SEC media days.

Kirby Smart gave mythical status to Jordan-Hare Stadium, where his Dawgs were down double-digits to the Tigers in 2023 -- asserting a surprising superlative during his appearance.

“Let’s start with this, Auburn is one of the hardest places to play in the world. And I know that from 25 years of being a common opponent at Georgia and Alabama,” Smart said (h/t On3).

“When you step in that stadium, you better be laced up, strapped up, and ready to go, regardless of their record, regardless of the expectation, regardless of what the people in Vegas say. You better be ready to play.”

Meanwhile, Georgia DL Mykel Williams called the Tigers QB duo of Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford, who's since transferred to South Carolina, the toughest opposing backfield matchup during their 2023 season.

"It may have been Auburn because they were a dual quarterback, a two-quarterback system, and both quarterbacks provided something different," Williams said (h/t 247Sports' Nathan King). "Both of them could run. One of them was more of a passer, one was more of a runner. I believe it may have been Auburn."

Hugh Freeze's changes at Auburn football taking effect

Hugh Freeze has Auburn being spoken about with reverence at the and with no mention of any chaos or potential coaching changes. It was a quick transition from hired to fired for Bryan Harsin, and the 2020 COVID season's reduced media days highlighted the beginning of the end of the Gus Malzahn era -- handing the reins to Chad Morris.

It's been a long time since AU has been this sort of a presence.

This wasn't just UGA's way of undoing the perceived disrespect of the Tigers by making them the 2024 season's homecoming game Between the Hedges. This was genuine recognition of a program on the rise from a functionality standpoint behind the scenes.

Next step: on the field.