Tonight the 2nd ranked Georgia Bulldogs head into Oxford for a top 10 showdown with the Ole Miss Rebels. One team looks to cement its spot in the College Football Playoff and possibly take over the top ranking. The other looks to take the decision out of the committee’s hands with a win at home. One team wants to make this a line of scrimmage game where depth wins, and the other likely wants to get this game into a track meet to see who can last for 60 minutes. Let’s get to the preview.
When Georgia has the ball
Ole Miss has had challenges on the defensive side of the ball at times this year. Florida ran over and through them and made the Ole Miss defense fold like a cheap suit. They have also had games like Missouri where they have manhandled what appeared to be a good defense. Texas generally ran the ball down the Rebels’ throats in Austin, and most would say that’s the reason the Longhorns saved Sark’s job at this point.
I expect Ole Miss to sell out to stop the Georgia running game tonight, so there will be spots for the Georgia passing game to be explosive. Can Gunner channel his early season success tonight to get the ball to Georgia pass catchers in position to create early big plays? If so, Bobo could be playing dealer’s choice as the Rebels have to choose their poison.
Tonight would be a great night for the punishing version of 12 personnel to show up and make Ole Miss miserable
When Ole Miss has the ball
This game comes down to how Georgia handles Trinidad Chambliss. I personally don’t think Chambliss should have been allowed to play this year, but a teary-eyed local judge in Oxford didn’t agree (surprise, surprise). I’m guessing Schumann and Kirby were on the phone with Will talking schemes that Texas threw at the Rebel quarterback especially in the 1st half. Kewan Lacy is ruled out for tonight, and the Rebels have a long list of players along with him on the final availability report. With Lacy, Ole Miss has a 1-2 punch that makes them very difficult to defend.
Can the Georgia defense play with their collective hair on fire as they did last Saturday in MBS? If so, Georgia gets enough stops to get the win. I expect the Georgia corners and nickel to be challenged in man coverage as they were in New Orleans in January. If they hold up, we’ll be happy late tonight.
What will happen
As I said in the first look, I only want a win. I don’t care about style points tonight, but I think it’s going to take some style points on both sides of the ball to get the result we want. Ole Miss isn’t going to turn the ball over 4 times with Chambliss, so the Dawgs are going to have to play the kind of offensive game they did in Athens last November. I do think Bobo has been saving some of his crayons for tonight. Let’s see if he uses them and stays within the lines.
I think so … Dawgs survive and head home to face Missouri with a spot in the CFP virtually assured.
Final score: Georgia 34, Ole Miss 30
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
This also serves as the Georgia game day thread, so keep it civil.
If the Rebs score more than 24 I’ll be very worried. If we don’t score more than 24 I’ll blame…well, you know. 31-24 with a defensive stop at the end for a very nervous 4thQ again against these guys.
If the DE play is like last Saturday Georgia wins. The X factor is how many punts 0 drops.
Gettin’ in the yard now so I can be done by noon. I hope to see our guys up front pushing people around on the OL and our DL and rushers playing smart and make Trinidad run sideways, then get him on the ground. If Gunner can push it downfield when the opportunity arises, Nate and Peanut, with a probable Chauncey can grind it out.
EE, your score is about where I continue to land. We are not going to stop Chambliss (and I ain’t talking bout Minn Viking great Chaz). Can Bobo/Stockton put 30+ up —- IDK. For the sake of being a DAWG man, I too say Dawgs 34-30!
If we can run the ball and we don’t turn the ball over we win.
This one has worried me since last season. For some reason, Kirby hasn’t beaten Ole Miss outside of Athens and has a losing record to them. Time to change that narrative.