If the Georgia Bulldogs want to stay in the SEC title picture a win over the undefeated Mississippi Rebels is a must. And the Dawgs are playing defense like their life depends on it. Following a setback to Alabama, UGA won its last two games holding Kentucky and Auburn to a combined 24 points. The clash between top 10 foes kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on October 18 between the hedges at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. The game will air on ABC.
Mississippi at Georgia Preview
Entering a difficult part of their schedule it would behoove the Rebels to play better football then they have in previous weeks. The perfect season nearly came to an end last week against Washington State in a lackluster performance. One of the most penalized teams in the country, the Rebels were flagged eight times for 99 yards, but overcame their miscues thanks to Trinidad Chambliss.
Ole Miss was a 33-point favorite in college football odds over WSU and trailed in the third quarter before Chambliss had a rushing TD and passed for his second TD of the game to secure the win. Chambliss has been good since taking over for injured Austin Simmons earlier in the year. He threw for more than 300 yards in each of his first three starts with 245 rushing yards and a pair of scores.
- The Rebels played UNDER the closing total in each of their last three games and they’ve gone 4-2 ATS for the season.
- After averaging 44.8 points through their first four games, the Rebels scored 24 points in each of their last two.
- Ole Miss ranks 125th nationally in penalty yards/game with 73.8.
- The Rebels have 8 giveaways and rank 14th in the SEC with a turnover margin of minus-4.
With one loss in SEC play already, Georgia can’t afford another if it wants to return to the title game for a fifth consecutive season. The Dawgs played with a sense of urgency last week overcoming a 10-point deficit to beat Auburn. And the defense took over while the offense sputtered.
The Bulldogs forced and recovered a fumble deep in their own territory that changed the trajectory of the game. The group held Auburn to 50 yards and zero points in the second half scoring the final 20 points. Over the last two games UGA has allowed 24 points and an average of less than 275 yards a game while picking up their first payouts of the season.
- Gunner Stockton has accounted for 12 TDs (6 pass, 6 rush)
- Georgia had won 33 straight home games until falling to Alabama in Week 5. They are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10.
- The Dawgs are 13th in the SEC allowing opponents to convert on 40.2 percent of their third down plays.
Mississippi at Georgia Predictions
Georgia doesn’t lose at home that often and dropping another game is outrageous to fathom. Ole Miss will have to play much better than it did last week in a squeaker over Wazzou where they were flummoxed by penalties. And with Dawgs playing defense at a high level it’s going to be tough for Chambliss to work his magic. I’ll have to back the Dawgs minus the points in this showdown.
Mississippi at Georgia Betting Tips
- The Bulldogs opened as a 7-point favorite and at -243 on the moneyline.
- UGA has won 35 straight games at home when favored by at least 7-points.
- Ole Miss is 2-8 SU and 4-6 ATS in its last 10 games as a road underdog. They failed to cover the 8.5-point spread on the college football betting odds in their lone road game.
- The Rebels opened with a moneyline price of +210.
- The total surfaced at 54.5, which would be the lowest in the last five meetings.
Mississippi at Georgia Head to Head and Key Stats
- This will be the third year in a row the teams play each other after not competing since the 2016 campaign.
- Ole Miss won last year’s game outright 28-10 at home as a 2-point dog.
- The teams have played UNDER the total in four of the last five matchups.
- The Rebels haven’t won at Georgia since 1996 going 0-6 since.
- In 2023 Georgia scored the most points in the series in its 52-17 home win.
