Georgia vs. Ole Miss preview/match-ups
Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images The third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs have made their way to Oxford, Mississippi, to play the 16th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels. This SEC showdown has serious playoff implications for both teams with Georgia labeled as a -2.5 point favorite over the Rebels heading into it. If the Rebels drop this one, they’re more than likely out of the playoff race. Meanwhile, for the Dawgs, a loss would put serious pressure on them to win out to reach the playoffs. Saturday’s game has a scheduled start time of 3:30 ET and can be viewed on ABC and ESPN+. Dart vs. Georgia Defense Ole Miss quarterback, Jaxson Dart is playing some of his best ball of the season heading into Saturday. Dart lit up the stat sheet last week against Arkansas, completing 25 of 31 passes for 515 yards and six touchdowns while avoiding turnovers. Dart has thrown for 3,210 yards on the year, garnering an impressive 21-3 touchdown to interception ratio on the year. Though Dart’s arm is exceptional, he is also a very capable runner at the quarterback position, totaling 254 yards on the ground this season. While Dart is impressive, the Dawgs’ defense may very well be his kryptonite. Last season against Georgia, Dart only totaled 132 total yards against the Dawgs, throwing one interception to go with zero touchdowns. That may have been last year, but the Dawgs returned a lot of guys from that 2023 defense this season; especially in the D-line and linebacker rooms. Guys like Jalon Walker, C.J. Allen, and Mykel Williams will all need to have big games on Saturday to keep Dart at bay. The reason being, is I expect the Rebels to come with a lot of outside zone runs both with Dart and running backs Henry Parrish Jr. and Domonique Thomas. The outside zone run has been a bit of a soft spot for the Dawgs’ defense this season. Florida found success with it last week and we all remember how it was working for the Tide as Milroe had his way with his legs in the first half. With that being said, the Linebacker and d-line room will be crucial to the Dawgs’ defensive success against Dart and the high-powered Rebels’ offense. Beck vs. Rebels’ defense It's no secret that Carson Beck has had a turnover problem this season, throwing 11 interceptions in his last five games. This game is absolutely crucial for not only the Dawgs’ season but Beck’s overall season as well. Beck needs to turn the page and play to his full capabilities and it needs to start this week, especially with Tennesee waiting for the Dawgs next week. Last season against the Rebels’ defense, Beck turned in a solid performance, completing 18 out of 25 pass attempts for 306 yards, two touchdowns, and just one interception. Once again, it is a new season with a new team as four out of five of Beck’s top pass catchers from last season’s game against the Rebels are no longer with the team. Guys like Arian Smith, Dominic Lovett, and Dillon Bell will all need to continue to step up to help Beck out in the final stretch of the season. As far as the Dawgs’ run game, the O-line will have their work cut out for them in the trenches. Walter Nolen is the top guy on the Rebels’ d-line as the former five-star and Texas A&M transfer will look to wreak havoc. Trevor Etienne has not been listed on the availability report for this week’s game as he is more than likely out. With that being said, we will probably see a heavy dose of Nate Frazier and Cash Jones in the backfield, along with maybe seeing a little more of Dwight Phillips Jr. Prediction UGA-35 Ole Miss-24 We could see both teams trading offensive blows throughout, but at some point, I expect the Dawgs to put together some long drives on offense which leads to a rested defense. The Rebels offense will provide a challenge for the Dawgs’ defense but Kirby should have these guys motivated and hungry to deliver another statement to the rest of college football. Finally, it all comes back to Beck’s decision-making, if Beck avoids the turnovers and takes what the defense gives him, Georgia probably wins comfortably. On the flipside, if Beck turns in another multiple-interception performance, this one could go down to the wire. As always, Go Dawgs!!!
The third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs have made their way to Oxford, Mississippi, to play the 16th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels. This SEC showdown has serious playoff implications for both teams with Georgia labeled as a -2.5 point favorite over the Rebels heading into it. If the Rebels drop this one, they’re more than likely out of the playoff race. Meanwhile, for the Dawgs, a loss would put serious pressure on them to win out to reach the playoffs. Saturday’s game has a scheduled start time of 3:30 ET and can be viewed on ABC and ESPN+.
Dart vs. Georgia Defense
Ole Miss quarterback, Jaxson Dart is playing some of his best ball of the season heading into Saturday. Dart lit up the stat sheet last week against Arkansas, completing 25 of 31 passes for 515 yards and six touchdowns while avoiding turnovers. Dart has thrown for 3,210 yards on the year, garnering an impressive 21-3 touchdown to interception ratio on the year. Though Dart’s arm is exceptional, he is also a very capable runner at the quarterback position, totaling 254 yards on the ground this season.
While Dart is impressive, the Dawgs’ defense may very well be his kryptonite. Last season against Georgia, Dart only totaled 132 total yards against the Dawgs, throwing one interception to go with zero touchdowns. That may have been last year, but the Dawgs returned a lot of guys from that 2023 defense this season; especially in the D-line and linebacker rooms.
Guys like Jalon Walker, C.J. Allen, and Mykel Williams will all need to have big games on Saturday to keep Dart at bay. The reason being, is I expect the Rebels to come with a lot of outside zone runs both with Dart and running backs Henry Parrish Jr. and Domonique Thomas. The outside zone run has been a bit of a soft spot for the Dawgs’ defense this season. Florida found success with it last week and we all remember how it was working for the Tide as Milroe had his way with his legs in the first half. With that being said, the Linebacker and d-line room will be crucial to the Dawgs’ defensive success against Dart and the high-powered Rebels’ offense.
Beck vs. Rebels’ defense
It's no secret that Carson Beck has had a turnover problem this season, throwing 11 interceptions in his last five games. This game is absolutely crucial for not only the Dawgs’ season but Beck’s overall season as well. Beck needs to turn the page and play to his full capabilities and it needs to start this week, especially with Tennesee waiting for the Dawgs next week.
Last season against the Rebels’ defense, Beck turned in a solid performance, completing 18 out of 25 pass attempts for 306 yards, two touchdowns, and just one interception. Once again, it is a new season with a new team as four out of five of Beck’s top pass catchers from last season’s game against the Rebels are no longer with the team. Guys like Arian Smith, Dominic Lovett, and Dillon Bell will all need to continue to step up to help Beck out in the final stretch of the season.
As far as the Dawgs’ run game, the O-line will have their work cut out for them in the trenches. Walter Nolen is the top guy on the Rebels’ d-line as the former five-star and Texas A&M transfer will look to wreak havoc. Trevor Etienne has not been listed on the availability report for this week’s game as he is more than likely out. With that being said, we will probably see a heavy dose of Nate Frazier and Cash Jones in the backfield, along with maybe seeing a little more of Dwight Phillips Jr.
Prediction UGA-35 Ole Miss-24
We could see both teams trading offensive blows throughout, but at some point, I expect the Dawgs to put together some long drives on offense which leads to a rested defense. The Rebels offense will provide a challenge for the Dawgs’ defense but Kirby should have these guys motivated and hungry to deliver another statement to the rest of college football. Finally, it all comes back to Beck’s decision-making, if Beck avoids the turnovers and takes what the defense gives him, Georgia probably wins comfortably. On the flipside, if Beck turns in another multiple-interception performance, this one could go down to the wire.
As always, Go Dawgs!!!
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