by Chito Chibuye
Dawgs OTL Writer/ UGA Alumnus
Georgia Ranks No. 2 in First CFP Rankings Ahead of Crucial Ole Miss Rematch
As I write this article, the first edition of the CFP Rankings has officially been released.
Many fans across the country will be upset no doubt, but the Dawgs (despite their loss to Auburn) have everything in front of them as the #2 team in the committee’s eyes. After a “get right game” which saw the Dawgs defeat arguably their biggest rival in the Florida Gators, Georgia has regained some its’ confidence just in time for a round 3 rematch against the Rebels of Mississippi (the CFP committee’s #10 team).
Georgia vs. Ole Miss Recent History: A Rivalry Defined by Explosive Offenses and Revenge
Facing off twice in roughly the last calendar year, these two teams both won a game against the other. In the first game UGA hosted Ole Miss and outlasted them in a 43-35 barn-burner which saw Gunner Stockton go ballistic with 4 pass TDs, 1 rush TD on nearly 84% completion percentage. Ole Miss and Trinidad Chambliss would have the last laugh in the second matchup during the playoffs at the 26’ Sugar Bowl. Chambliss would throw for 362 yards and score 2 pass TDs on 65% completion and ending the Bulldogs season.
Can Kirby Smart Finally Win at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium?
In each of the last 4 regular season meetings the home team has won this game with notable performances from Gunner and Trinidad as well as Carson Beck, Jaxon Dart, and even Austin Simmons when Lane Kiffin was still at the helm. Now, Pete Golding is almost through his first full season as HC and already has a win over Kirby Smart. Smart, for the record, has never won in Oxford as the HC of UGA but he will look to bump that trend just like he ended the drought vs Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium earlier this year. Teams change year to year but looking at these two teams now, Georgia is a better team this year offensively, in the secondary, and sacking the QB (despite the AU game 🤦🏾♂️). Ole Miss is still explosive, but their rushing defense has cost them 2 games already. Can UGA play their best game on both sides of the ball on the road and secure a massive SEC & CFP win?
Players to Watch: Key Matchups That Could Decide the Game
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss: Georgia Faces One of College Football's Best Quarterbacks
The Ole Miss signal caller is beyond talented and has a ton of experience at this point in his career, and everyone in the country now knows his name so I’ll be brief.
Chambliss is arguably the best QB in CFB. In 2026 he already has 2,198 passing yards and 25 total TDs 18 pass TDs, 7 rush TDs and 8 INTs on 64% completion. Georgia will need a performance that resembles their game against Keelon Russell of Alabama, and not Byrum Brown of Auburn if we want to win.
Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy: Injury Status Could Change the Rebels' Offense
If healthy, Lacy makes this offense championship caliber. Unfortunately for Ole Miss, recent news suggest that Lacy may miss his third game of the szn with a dislocated left shoulder. If Lacy cannot go this week look for Makhi Frazier (#25) to pick up the slack. Lacy’s absence puts a lot more pressure on the shoulders of the QB and makes this team one-dimensional.
Ole Miss DT Will Echoles: A Major Test for Georgia's Offensive Line
#52 DT: Will Echoles: Not only is he considered the best defender on Ole Miss’s team, but he’s also considered to be one of the best in the country. He’s a disruptor in both the run and pass game and Golding will line him up at the nose or even the 3-tech and let him do his thing. He must be accounted for by UGA’s O-line all game long.
Three GTA 6 Side Missions for some Keys to Victory
Side missions:
1. Georgia Must Rush for 200 Yards Against Ole Miss's Struggling Run Defense
200 yards rushing: This is the MAJOR key 🔑 imo. Having this type of a weakness is a big problem, especially in the SEC where the line of scrimmage is crucial to winning and losing. In their 2 losses on the szn Ole Miss gave up 207 rush yards to Texas (34-27 L) and 302 rush yards to Florida (52-28 L)… 300! UGA is averaging 200 yards on the ground this szn, and we should again on Saturday.
2. 3 sacks AND/OR under 60% passing
There are multiple ways to skin a cat, and Georgia has several tools in its belt to get it done. This years’ secondary has looked markedly better in limiting explosive plays and not having busts in coverage, especially when healthy. If we can continue that trend we can give our front 7 time to put pressure on Chambliss. Georgia has already gotten 26 sacks in its first 8 games beating last year's total of 20, so we are much improved in that area. Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole, Gabe Harris, and Q. Johnson have been relentless so far this year. We won’t always get him to the ground but making Chambliss uncomfortable in the pocket will work wonders.
3. Georgia Must Win the Turnover Battle to Control the Game
When UGA wins the turnover battle they win BIG, just like they did against Oklahoma and Florida, but when we make the mistakes we lose to teams like Auburn.
Georgia comes into this game 15th in the country in turnover differential at +6, while the Rebels are even on the year (0) which ranks 69th, ha! In a game that could turn into a shootout, taking away opportunities for points will be critical on deciding the winner.
Georgia vs. Ole Miss 2026 Prediction: Why the Bulldogs Have the Advantage in Oxford
I think Georgia’s loss to Auburn killed any potential overconfidence that could have crept into this locker room and refocused this squad. That bad loss showed this team that anyone can lose in this league and you cannot play sloppy and get caught looking ahead. Truthfully, Ole Miss’s inability to stop the run is an unforgivable weakness in this conference, and plays into one of Georgia's greatest strengths. Adding Kewan Lacy’s potential absence to that weakness is not good for the Rebels. It will take a Herculean effort by Chambliss to overcome all of that. I think when the clock strikes 0:00 that Kirby gets his first win at The Grove and the Dawgs move up to 8-1 with a huge conference win. Go Dawgs!
Score Prediction: Dawgs win 35-24
