Ole Miss at Georgia preview: High-powered Rebels face stifling Bulldogs defense in Athens

ATHENS — This weekend, the Ole Miss Rebels are in Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs in what is undeniably one of the biggest games of the college football season so far.

Georgia enters as a 7-point favorite, but with Ole Miss’ explosive offense, the Bulldogs won’t be able to take anything for granted if they plan to avoid a second home slip-up this year, as well as a second straight loss to the Rebels.

The Offenses

Ole Miss brings one of the most dynamic offenses in the conference, led by breakout star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Chambliss is averaging 15.1 yards per completion, the highest of any SEC quarterback, making him a definite threat.

Running back Kewan Lacy has also been a key contributor, averaging 98 rushing yards per game, second-most among SEC running backs. Overall, the Rebels are averaging 38 points per game (fourth in the SEC), 515 yards per game (second in the SEC), 204 rushing yards per game (fifth in the SEC), and 311 passing yards per game (second in the SEC), putting them in the top five of the conference in just about every major offensive statistic.

Georgia’s offense has not been as dominant statistically but has also not been anything to sneeze at. Quarterback Gunner Stockton boasts an impressive 68% completion rate and has thrown just one interception all season.

The Bulldogs average 32 points per game, and while their passing game has been effective, it has not been spectacular, ranking 11th in the SEC at 229 passing yards per game, potentially providing the Rebels with some reasons for optimism on defense.

The Defenses

Defensively, this will be toughest defense the Rebels will face so far, and possibly the toughest of the season. The Bulldogs are allowing just 17 points per game overall, with a stingy 13 points per game allowed at home.

Kirby Smart’s squad has also only given up an average 307 total yards per game, including 92 rushing yards (as well as a stifling 2.9 yards per carry), making Georgia’s run defense one of the best in the nation.

However, Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann’s pass defense allows 216 yards per game, ranking only 11^th best in the conference, a respectable number but one that could give Rebel fans hope for their potent passing attack to really move the ball.

Ole Miss, on the other hand, has struggled defensively, particularly against the run. Pete Golding’s defense has given up an average of 338 yards per game (fifth-worst in the SEC) and 158 rushing yards per game (the conference’s third-worst number in that category), hence why some believe this could be an opportunity for Georgia running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens to have a career day on the ground.

Home Field Advantage and History

Georgia’s home-field advantage cannot be overstated. The Bulldogs have not lost at home to any team other than Alabama since the start of the decade, and Ole Miss has not won a road game against a ranked SEC opponent since 2017; Lane Kiffin is 0-7 in such games since arriving in Oxford.

But, as we all know by now, anything could happen any given Saturday, and an Ole Miss squad knowing full well that a win in Athens may well clinch a playoff spot for the Rebels even with the season only barely past the halfway point will certainly not be lacking in fire and motivation.

Why Ole Miss Could Pull the Upset

• High-powered offense: With Chambliss and Lacy leading the way, Ole Miss has rarely had trouble scoring so far, pressuring Georgia’s defense to respond.
• Exploit passing defense: Georgia’s pass defense, while good, is not elite. Ole Miss’s aerial attack could move the chains and keep the game within reach.
• Momentum and motivation: Last year’s win over Georgia proves Lane Kiffin knows how to win big games, and he, his staff, and his players have had this game circled on their calendar for some time.

Why Georgia Could Win

• Elite defense: Georgia’s defensive front, particularly against the run, will provide what has been a solid rushing attack with its toughest test yet.
• Home-field advantage: The Bulldogs’ dominance at home against non-Alabama opponents since 2019 certainly might make all the difference, especially coupled with the fact that Ole Miss’s road woes against upper-level competition in recent years have not gone unnoticed.
• Ole Miss defensive struggles: With vulnerabilities against the run and overall yardage, Georgia’s balanced attack—led by Frazier and Bowens—could take control.
• Motivation for revenge: Getting embarrassed in Oxford last year adds a revenge element that Georgia will not take lightly.

The Bottom Line

This matchup pits one of the SEC’s most prolific offenses against one of its more talented defenses. While Ole Miss has the talent to make it a close game and potentially pull off an upset, Georgia’s defensive dominance, home-field advantage, and desire for revenge make the Bulldogs the favorite in a game that feels like it could go 100 different ways.

Ultimately, the combination of facing a stout defense paired with having to play in one of the country’s most daunting road environments could prove to be too much for the Rebels to overcome, but even if Kiffin’s squad does not emerge victorious, a road loss against a perennial power would certainly not derail hopes of the fans in Oxford of seeing the team they love so much finally make their first long-awaited playoff appearance.