(Photo: Fox5Atlanta)
Special Preview- NCAA Football, Week Ten
(2) Georgia Bulldogs at (12) Ole Miss Rebels
Georgia (7-1):
The last time we saw them play before Saturday’s matchup against the Florida Gators was in Week 7, when they hosted the Auburn Tigers in Athens. They entered that game as the No. 1-ranked team in the country. Unfortunately, they fell short and suffered an upset loss. As I watched their game against the Gators on Saturday, I could tell they took full advantage of the bye week, got themselves right, and, most importantly, regrouped. After their win against the Alabama Crimson Tide, I said that was their toughest win of the season, without question. I even went as far as to say it wasn’t pretty, but they got the job done, which is all that matters. Saturday in Week 9 was the best all-around performance I’ve seen from the Georgia Bulldogs all season long, and it was a combination of everything. Their defense showed up in a big way, dominating the game while disrupting the Florida offense and everything they wanted to do. The defense recorded four sacks, forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, and made life miserable for Aaron Philo. As the game approached, I said the biggest key would be shutting down Jadan Baugh, and they did just that. On offense, they got back to the basics by running the football, which provided balance. They didn’t need much from Gunner Stockton. All in all, I’d say it was complementary football at its finest. On Saturday night, the Dawgs will look for revenge in Oxford.
Ole Miss (6-2):
I’ll give them some credit because they fought back against the Texas Longhorns after falling behind by a significant margin going into halftime. However, they managed to fight their way back into the game only to fall short and suffer their second loss of the season. After any loss, I’ll always say it’s not what happens to you; it’s how you respond to it. Against the Auburn Tigers this past weekend, they responded in a big way, with Trinidad Chambliss showing why he’s one of the best players in America. He completed 22 of 34 pass attempts for 263 yards and two touchdown passes, along with adding 65 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Next, I saw an offense that was extremely efficient on third down, which I often refer to as the “money down.” These third-down conversions move the chains. Here’s how good they were: Ole Miss converted 13 of 16 third-down attempts, an impressive 81.3 percent. However, my biggest takeaway from the Ole Miss victory over Auburn was the way they were able to get the running game going without Kewan Lacy, who will miss the remainder of the season. We all know football is about the next man stepping up, and that’s exactly what Shekai Mills-Knight did. The Rebels are still having a strong season, but their two losses are what stand out, making their path to the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff a bit more challenging. They return home on Saturday night for a huge showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia X-Factor: Dwight Phillips Jr.
The unsung hero from the Alabama game has become an integral part of the Bulldogs’ offense this year. Georgia has dealt with injuries in its running back room, which has opened up opportunities for Dwight to get his time to shine. He’s not just a between-the-tackles runner. Dwight can bounce outside and showcase his explosiveness, along with the speed to turn an ordinary handoff into a big play. I also like that he’s a dual-threat back who can catch the football out of the backfield, which puts additional stress on the Ole Miss defense. Dwight can attack in many different ways, and feeding him the ball early keeps Chambliss on the sidelines.
Ole Miss X-Factor: Kam Franklin
This Ole Miss defense has several playmakers, and Kam Franklin is one of them. Kam is a 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive end with the ability to do a little bit of everything. When they need him to rush the passer, he has no problem putting his hand in the dirt and getting after the quarterback. Kam also plays the run exceptionally well. In other words, he isn’t just a pass rusher; his run defense is also a big part of his game. If he’s able to maintain his gap assignments, shed blocks quickly, and prevent runs from bouncing to the outside, this could force Georgia to become more dependent on Stockton to win the game.
Final Thoughts:
These teams met in two memorable games last season, with the first taking place during the regular season last October in Athens. Ole Miss appeared to be in control of that game for three quarters, but then they fell apart in the fourth quarter, and Georgia held them to just one yard en route to the victory. Months later, in January, they met in the second round of the College Football Playoff. This time around, the Rebels got their revenge by beating the Bulldogs and advancing to the Final Four. This is a big game in the SEC and could serve as a preview of what’s to come in December on Conference Championship Saturday. Georgia must continue to lean on its running game with both Dwight Phillips and Nate Frazier, start the game quickly, and control the atmosphere. Most importantly, they must keep Trinidad Chambliss contained and in the pocket at all times. For the Rebels, Kam Franklin must make an impact against both the run and the pass. He needs to contain Phillips, win the battle at the line of scrimmage, limit runs between the tackles, and rally to the football. I think the biggest key to an Ole Miss victory is Chambliss taking care of the football against this stingy yet opportunistic Georgia defense, which can take the ball away whenever the opportunity presents itself. In other words, they can’t afford to give the Bulldogs any extra possessions.
