(Photo: WTVA)
College Football Playoff- Quarterfinals
(6) Ole Miss Rebels at (3) Georgia Bulldogs
Ole Miss (12-1):
I know last Saturday had to feel really good. Let’s admit it — They have dealt with unwarranted press over the last month and a half surrounding the Lane Kiffin rumors. Once he made his decision to take his talents to Baton Rouge and become the next head coach of the LSU Tigers, this program was finally able to focus solely on football — and that’s all that matters. They made their College Football Playoff debut last Saturday, and despite everything that surrounded their now-former head coach, I saw a locked-in football team. They looked unfazed by the outside distractions and fully focused, which is all you can ask for as a coach. Pete Golding was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach, and his debut couldn’t have gone any better. I’ve seen quite a bit of this Ole Miss team this season, and they have one of the most overlooked quarterbacks in the nation in Trinidad Chambliss. When he’s on his A-game, this becomes one of the best offenses in the country. He can attack defenses from the pocket with his arm or hurt you with his mobility. In their first-round playoff matchup against Tulane, the Rebels started fast and kept their foot on the gas en route to their first playoff victory. Their success this season has been built on an explosive yet balanced offense, a physically dominant defense that wins critical battles in the trenches, and elite special teams play. Simply put, they excel in all three phases of the game. On New Year’s Day, they’ll face Georgia in a highly anticipated quarterfinal rematch.
Georgia (12-1):
I’ve been on the fence with them throughout the year because I felt they hadn’t played up to their full potential. The same things I’ve said about the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL apply here — they can flip the switch at any moment, even when trailing, and find a way back. But as I’ve said before, that won’t always be the case. All season long, I wondered when we would finally see the version of Georgia that justified being labeled one of the nation’s best. I saw glimpses of it against Texas, when they started fast and never let up, but what truly sold me was the SEC Championship Game! I was curious how they’d approach a matchup with Alabama — a team that has had their number over the years — and Georgia answered emphatically. They played their best football when it mattered most, and what they put on display was the Georgia team I’ve come to know. I’ve seen significant growth from Gunnar Stockton throughout the season. I still remember his first start against Notre Dame, and he’s not the same quarterback now. He has a full grasp of the offense and looks completely comfortable running it. When the Dawgs play the way they did against Alabama on December 6th, not many teams can hang with them. They assert themselves physically and wear you down until you wave the white flag. That’s my style of football — and, most importantly, they stick to what they do best. Georgia will bring in the new year with a rematch against a conference rival on January 1st.
Ole Miss X-Factor: De’Zhaun Stribling
I’ll be paying very close attention to Stribling in this matchup. While Chambliss and Kewan Lacy are the anchors of the offense, De’Zhaun is just as critical. Georgia boasts a talented secondary, but Stribling has the ability to create separation, stress coverage schemes, and generate explosive plays. He can turn a short pass or quick screen into a big-time gain. If Georgia crowds the box to limit Chambliss and Lacy, it could work in Stribling’s favor, likely giving him multiple one-on-one opportunities downfield.
Georgia X-Factor: CJ Allen
This is the quarterback of Georgia’s defense. Against a high-powered offense like Ole Miss, having a leader in the middle who can read plays and make adjustments is invaluable. He’s a tackling machine with tremendous versatility — capable of covering tight ends, dropping into pass coverage, or coming downhill on a blitz. Allen has been one of the SEC’s top run stoppers this season, with the ability to make plays both at the line of scrimmage and at the second level. His impact could very well define the outcome of this game.
Final Thoughts:
I previewed the regular-season matchup between these two teams, and what a game it was. Ole Miss appeared to be on its way to a massive road win in Athens — until the fourth quarter. Georgia clamped down, holding the Rebels to just one yard in the entire quarter, and completed the comeback. I’ve said this all season and I’ll say it again: when you have Georgia down, keep them down. You can’t let them hang around, because they will find a way back — just like they did in the regular-season meeting. For Ole Miss, the keys to victory start with establishing the run, which is easier said than done against this elite Georgia front. Trinidad Chambliss must be at his best for all four quarters. He played well for three quarters in the first matchup but faded late when it mattered most. He’s too important to this offense to disappear again. Lastly, Ole Miss must force turnovers — no easy task against a Georgia offense that protects the football well. For Georgia, the biggest key is avoiding a slow start. They’ve struggled early at times this season before rallying. Defensively, they must limit Ole Miss’s explosive plays by keeping everything underneath and preventing chunk gains. Finally, winning the turnover battle will be crucial. The winner of this game is headed to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl.
