Ole Miss vs. Georgia: A look at the offensive and defensive matchups as the Rebels travel to Athens

OXFORD, Miss. — Lane Kiffin and the Rebels will take on the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday in arguably the biggest game of Kiffin’s tenure at Ole Miss. 

Before kickoff, here are some of the most important details and stats you will need to know about the undefeated Bulldogs.

Georgia Offense

The Bulldogs offense is averaging 39.33 points per game, which is second in the SEC and 10th in the nation. Quarterback Carson Beck has done a phenomenal job paving the way for the offense, passing for 2,716 yards, which is second in the SEC. 

Beck’s leading receiver, tight end Brock Bowers, recently injured his ankle on October 14 against Vanderbilt, but ESPN reported that he has been running in practice throughout the week and could be seen on the field against the Rebs.

Other than Bowers, Beck’s most targeted receiver has been junior Dominic Lovett, who has tallied 39 receptions this year, just two fewer than Bowers. Additional receivers to look out for will be Ladd McConkey and RaRa Thomas (a transfer in from Mississippi State) as well as Oscar Delp, who has been a productive tight end for Beck after the loss of Bowers.

For Pete Golding and the Ole Miss defense, execution is going to have to be close to perfection. A key aspect for the Rebs will be applying pressure to Beck. He does not run the ball often, with only 39 carries on the season, but he has a strong presence in the pocket, resulting in the sixth-highest completion percentage in the nation.

Fortunately for the Rebs, this could be a positive. Ole Miss has not had any problems getting to the quarterback this season and is fifth in the country in sacks, averaging 3.44 per game. 

Last week, Mizzou sacked Carson three times and limited him to passing for 254 yards, the fewest number of yards he has thrown for in 2023. The Tigers’ defense gave themselves a chance to win, but their offense could not convert late in the fourth quarter. If Ole Miss wants any chance to take this game, their defense will have to do the same.

Georgia Defense 

Next, we will take a look at Kirby Smart’s specialty, his defense. This group of players is one that could bring all sorts of complications for Kiffin and the Rebs. The Bulldogs have only allowed a maximum of 21 points up to this point and are second in the SEC in interceptions (11) and pass deflections (35). 

Unfortunately for Georgia, the team’s leader in sacks, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, will not be available due to injury, but that does not take away from the experience and talent that will be on the field come Saturday night.

Leading tackler Smael Mondon Jr. is a linebacker with 44 total tackles, 31 of them solo. Mondon Jr. will play a large role in stopping the run game but will have a tough challenge against Quinshon Judkins and Ulysses Bentley IV.

Moving into the most disciplined part of this Georgia defense we have the Bulldogs’ secondary. As mentioned previously, this group of players has collected 11 interceptions and 35 pass deflections this season. Most notably, Tyeek Smith, Javon Bullard, Maliki Starks, and Kamari Lassiter all have at least 25 total tackles on the season. Smith leads the team in interceptions with six, but Bullard and Starks both have some of their own. Lassiter, who doesn’t have any interceptions, happens to lead the team in pass deflections (6).

Diving into the matchup against the Rebel offense is an interesting one. This will by far be the best offense the Bulldogs have faced, as the Rebs are third in the SEC in points per game, averaging 38.8. The wide receiver rotation of Tre Harris (749 yards), Jordan Watkins (627), and Dayton Wade (602) will also be the first receiving corps Georgia has faced with three players that have at least 600+ receiving yards.

The loss of Dumas-Johnson could also benefit the incredible rushing attack between Judkins, Bentley IV, and Jaxson Dart. 

Sadly, during practice this week, the Rebs lost their starting right tackle, Micah Pettus, due to injury, which could slow down the rushing attack. Fans can expect to see Jayden Williams and Victor Curne at both tackle spots.

Looking back at Mizzou’s offensive performance, quarterback Brady Cook only threw for 212 yards, but the Tigers rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown. If Dart can throw for around 200 yards and let Judkins and Bentley IV do their thing, it could present a lot of problems for Georgia.

It is worth noting that the Bulldogs intercepted Cook last week on Mizzou’s final two drives in the fourth quarter, which shows that Mizzou could’ve won that game — but also is evidence the Georgia defense does not lack any confidence late in games.

In less than 48 hours, all of the burning questions will be answered, Rebel fans. At 6 p.m. on Saturday night, make sure you tune into ESPN to watch the Rebels play. Hotty Toddy!