Preview and Predictions: No. 17 Ole Miss hosts Georgia Tech

OXFORD, Miss. — The panel is back this week for another roundtable of predictions and previews. Ole Miss now sits at No. 17 in the AP Poll as last week’s second half surge pushed the Rebels to a 37-20 road victory over Tulane.

With a 2-0 record, Ole Miss welcomes Georgia Tech into Oxford before the Rebels begin a gauntlet of SEC competition. After getting the interim tag removed, Brent Key has made moves in the right direction in attempt to turn around the Yellow Jackets program. Notably, Georgia Tech’s offense seems to have new life this season as the group has put together two solid performances averaging 41 points per contest this year.

Before we discuss what Ole Miss has in front of them and where the Rebels are, here’s a look at our multi-media panelists. Be sure to follow all of them on X/Twitter and The Rebel Walk as well.

Grayson Weir – BroBible
Kam Wicker – The Rebel Walk
Caleb Salers – SuperTalk Mississippi
Tyler Komis – Inside The Rebels/247Sports
TJ Oxley – The Rebel Walk

GAME DETAILS

• Kickoff: Saturday, Sep. 16th, 6:30 PM CT
• TV: SEC Network
• Radio:
  • OleMissSports.com
  • Memphis: WHBQ-AM 560
  • Oxford: WOXF-FM 105.1
  • Jackson: WFMN-FM 97.3
• Betting Lines as of 10: am September 15 (subject to change):
  • Ole Miss: -17.5
  • O/U: 63.5
  • Ole Miss Moneyline: -955
  • Georgia Tech Moneyline: +617

Georgia Tech Preview

Georgia Tech heads to Oxford 1-1 on the season and is coming off a 48-13 home win over South Carolina State. Offensively, the Yellow Jackets rank No. 9 nationally in total offense, averaging 533 yards per game through the first two contests of the 2023 season.

Texas A&M transfer Haynes King leads the ACC with 301.5 passing yards per game and seven passing TDs. Five different Yellow Jacket receivers have hauled in at least one receiving TD this season, including Eric Singleton, Jr. and Brett Seither who both have two receiving touchdowns on the season. Running backs Jamal Haynes and Trey Cooley have shared the workload on the ground, combining for 310 rushing yards and four TDs through the first two games of the season.

Defensively, Georgia Tech is giving up 382.5 yards per game, including 211.5 yards per game on the ground. Defensive end Kyle Kennard leads the Yellow Jackets with 13 total tackles, one interception and one forced fumble this season.

You can read more here on Georgia Tech in the preview from The Rebel Walk’s Zach Moreth.

Ole Miss Keys to the Game

Offense: Win in the Trenches

The recipe is pretty simple here. Ole Miss’ offensive line struggled to get the run game going against Tulane. This week against this Georgia Tech — a team who lost its star pass rusher to the draft and replaced its linebacking group with a pair of transfers — the Rebels’ rushing attack has to be a point of focus. Second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart has looked good and the receivers have shown depth as so many different pass catchers have made an impact thus far. Now it’s time to get back to having the ground attack create another element to this offense.

Bottom line, Georgia Tech so far has no sacks and only four tackles for loss. Ole Miss needs to take advantage.

Defense: Keep the Game in front of you

Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding is known for his 4-2-5 defense. The overload on speed and versatility creates a large amount of coverage gaps. For those who may not know, the Rebels aren’t facing the Georgia Tech of old.  The days of the triple option are done and with a new offense, Brent Key’s team has embraced the throwing game. Haynes King, the former four-star Texas A&M quarterback is now taking control for the Yellow Jackets and has been off to a solid start to the season with 603 passing yards and a 7:1 TD/INT ratio.

Ole Miss needs to dictate and not let King get comfortable in the new passing attack. With the Yellow Jackets, King has 9.9 yards per attempt in the new system and looks to push the ball down the field. Golding loves to apply pressure and won’t abandon what is working. This scheme can make a QB settle for shorter looks and could potentially rattle King out of what he has been used to. Along with the pressure the defensive line has created, the Rebels can be in a position to win that side of the ball especially as the game progresses on.

Predictions

Kam Wicker – The Rebel Walk

Ole Miss 45, Georgia Tech 13

X Factor: The run game. The rushing attack for the Rebs has not been the same as it was a year ago at this time. Georgia Tech has allowed over 200 yards of rushing in its first two matchup, I’d expect the Rebels smell blood in the water. This could be the game the RBs and O-Line need going into a tough SEC stretch.

Bold Prediction: Ayden Williams has a breakout game. The highly touted freshman was raved about all offseason for his performance in camp. With Tre Harris sidelined and Zakhari Franklin still making his way back, look for No. 1 to show everyone why he dons the number.

Caleb Salers – SuperTalk Mississippi

Ole Miss 42, Georgia Tech 21

Prediction: After securing a crucial touchdown reception on a 4th down play last Saturday, Michael Trigg has emerged as a reliable target for Jaxson Dart in the absence of Tre Harris. The Dart and Trigg chemistry will further grow during the Rebels’ matchup against Georgia Tech. Trigg will haul in more than one score in the game.

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Grayson Weir – BroBible

Ole Miss 44, Georgia Tech 18

The Yellow Jackets pass rush has been abysmal through the first two weeks and Jaxson Dart will continue to come into his own with another big game. However, the offense should be able to balance out some with a more steady run game between the tackles, which will help the offensive line get its footing. On the flip side, Georgia Tech’s offense has shown some life and will get theirs with a few big plays.

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Tyler Komis – Inside the Rebels

Ole Miss 45, Georgia Tech 20

Prediction: Offensive line has a bounce back game and the Rebels rush for over 200 yards.

X factor to watch: Michael Trigg

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TJ Oxley – The Rebel Walk

Ole Miss 45 , Georgia Tech 17

Prediction: Everyone wants to talk about offense. I can’t blame them. The team is having an incredible year but not so fast… Let’s not forget that the defense stepping up was a vital part of the Rebels taking control against Tulane in the second half last week.

One of those was number 15 himself, Jared Ivey. The Georgia Tech transfer along with JJ Pegues really disrupted things up front last week. Ivey started to turn things up later in the season last year rattling multi-tackles game pretty easily down the stretch. Now after a big week of pressures last week, Ivey gets a chance to do it again and solidify himself as a premier threat on this Ole Miss defensive line… and against his former team. Don’t tell me there’s no motivation there.