(Photo: Seatgeek)
Saturday Spotlight
(5) Ole Miss Rebels at (9) Georgia Bulldogs
Ole Miss (6-0)
It’s either you have it as a coach in college, or you’re better in the NFL—or you can be like Jim Harbaugh and succeed in both. I still remember when Lane Kiffin was coaching the Raiders back in 2007—he only lasted a year. Lane is one of those coaches who is better suited for the college game, and he’s proven that. Let’s look at some numbers: in the NFL, Lane had a record of 5–15. In college, he’s compiled a record of 111–52. Numbers don’t lie. Their biggest win of the year came against a then–No. 4 ranked LSU Tigers team back in Week 5. So what stands out about this group? It’s the fact they can win football games in many different ways. Yes, the Ole Miss Rebels have one of the best offenses not just in the SEC, but in the country. They average over 300 passing yards, 204 rushing yards, and just over 40 points per game. Those stats suggest they want to turn games into shootouts—but as they showed against LSU in Week 5, they can grind games out too. This is an offense that prides itself on speed and tempo, keeping defenses on their heels. Let’s give Trinidad Chambliss some love. He’s been on fire in recent games, throwing for over 1,200 yards, six touchdown passes, and just one interception. He’s dangerous on the move, can move the chains, and is a key reason this offense averages over 500 yards per game. This afternoon, they head to Athens for a big-time SEC showdown.
Georgia (5–1)
If you listened to me on the radio this week, you probably heard my rant about Georgia’s performance last weekend. I get it—it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. But for an entire half, they looked flat, and Auburn had all the momentum. One thing I always say is: football games come down to second-half adjustments. As a very wise man once told me: “Losers make excuses. Winners make adjustments.” Georgia did just that—scoring 20 unanswered points and spoiling Cam Newton’s jersey retirement night. I’ve been a big advocate for this Georgia defense over the years. But this current unit is younger and less experienced than what we’ve seen in previous seasons. Against the run, they’ve been phenomenal—young, fast, and violent at the edges. My concern? An inconsistent pass rush and lack of consistent pressure. That said, they’re coming into their own—and that’s a scary sight as we head into November and the playoff push. Offensively, Georgia has what I call “selective pop“—they’re capable of pushing the ball downfield, but it comes and goes. Today, they’re looking for revenge against Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels.
Ole Miss X-Factor: T.J. Dottery
This guy is a missile in the middle of the Rebels’ defense. He flies to the football and makes tackles in space. T.J. leads the team with 6.2 tackles per game, which says a lot. He’s an athletic linebacker who plays fast, physical, and smart. Versatile too—he can line up at the jack position or with his hand in the dirt. His ability to read plays and swarm to the ball will be crucial in containing Georgia’s offense.
Georgia X-Factor: Ellis Robinson
He’s been a shutdown presence in the Bulldogs’ secondary, breaking up eight passes and recording three interceptions this season. Ellis always seems to be in the right place. He’s instinctive, sticky in coverage, and a magnet to the football. Today, he’ll have a chance to neutralize the Ole Miss receivers—something that could play a key role in limiting their offensive output.
Final Thoughts:
I previewed this matchup last season, and Ole Miss dominated on both sides of the ball—making Georgia look downright pedestrian. The Rebels’ defense forced three turnovers and shut down everything the Bulldogs tried to do. Now, they meet again in Athens, both ranked in the top 10. Is Ole Miss ready for their moment? The last time this program started 7–0 was 1962. Georgia, meanwhile, has bounced back nicely since its loss to Alabama. At 5–1, the only thing standing in their way is themselves. Let’s look at some keys to victory starting with Ole Miss: First, Chambliss must be effective with both his arm and legs—keep the Georgia defense honest and guessing, second, Kewan Lacy must sustain the rushing attack and keep drives alive. and third, Contain Georgia’s ground game—force them into third-and-long situations. For Georgia: Get off to a fast start. They’ve struggled early in conference games—falling behind against Ole Miss would be dangerous, Establish the run early—it controls the clock and helps keep Ole Miss’ offense off the field and pressure Chambliss up the middle—throw him off his spot, force hurried throws, and keep the deep shots in check. Last season, Georgia had a big turnover issue—three or more in five games. This year, they’ve cleaned that up. Meanwhile, Ole Miss doesn’t force a lot of takeaways. I like the Dawgs to win a big conference game today.
