Georgia’s list of rivals is long and somewhat undefined.

In-state Georgia Tech and border rival Florida are the two most hated. South Carolina and Tennessee are a pair of SEC East foes who Georgia plays every year. Alabama and LSU have made for some memorable match-ups over the years.

And then there’s Auburn. “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.

In years past, the winner of Georgia-Auburn had serious conference implications. This season, players say, fans shouldn’t discount the rivalry game just because broader goals won’t be in play Saturday.

This is still Georgia-Auburn. The winner will have bragging rights. The loser will be forced to wait another 365 to redeem.

“Maybe from a national appeal [the game doesn't mean as much], but being on Georgia’s team, and seeing Auburn as well, the rivalry is still there,” said Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran. “When we hit that field there will be a lot of emotion. It’s a huge game for both of us. If we win we’re bowl eligible and if they win they can go to an even better bowl game. There is a lot riding on this game.”

There isn’t a seething hatred between the two schools. The game has a surreal friendly rivalry feel, a mutual respect if nothing else.

There are many odd connections – Vince Dooley played there. So did current assistants Rodney Garner and Stacey Searels. Former Auburn coach Pat Dye was a Georgia player, and currently Auburn has 20 players on its roster from Georgia.

“It’s mostly just the proximity,” said tight end Aron White. “Both of our schools have a lot of pride and a tradition. A lot of their guys are from Georgia and we have connections too. I think this rivalry is so close, with two great programs with a lot of fire.”

Curran came down to either Auburn or Georgia during his recruitment. He says the schools are more similar than they are different.

“It was an awesome atmosphere,” he said about Auburn. “It’s pretty much, really similar to Athens with the small town feel. The fans were crazy just like ours are. The academic situation was similar too.”

Georgia’s won three straight in the series. Sending the seniors out without a loss to the Tigers is very important, players say.

“Yeah that’s something that we’re all going to have a bond for is playing for our teammates,” said fullback Shaun Chapas. “We’ve had success in this game the past three or four years and that’s something we look for.”

And despite recent success, 2005 wasn’t that long ago in the mind of Curran. He was a recruit watching the game when the Tigers upset the Bulldogs 31-30 in Athens. The game ended Georgia’s national title bid and left Georgia fans shocked.

“After a while, you don’t want to ever allow that to happen,” Curran said. “I remember watching Georgia play Auburn as a recruit [in 2005]. When Georgia lost, I felt like I’d lost. I don’t want to experience that.”

But this rivalry won’t be forgotten because of all the memories created through the game.

In 1996, the two played in the SEC’s first-ever overtime game. Georgia won 56-49 in four extra periods. This game is also where the famed picture of mascot Uga lunging out at a Tigers’ player was snapped.

In 2002, Georgia receiver Michael Johnson caught a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs the win. The victory sent Georgia to the SEC Championship game for the first time in school history.

Georgia hasn’t fared well with rivals of late. Already losing to Tennessee and Florida, a win against Auburn would help balance rivalry emotions.

Said Chapas: It’s a big game. I don’t know how else to say it. It always has been, and always will be. No matter what our records are, it’s still a rivalry.