Kirby Smart doesn’t just win rematches - he dominates them. The Georgia head coach is a perfect 4-0 when facing a team for the second time in a single season, and what’s even more impressive is that three of those wins came after losses.
That’s the kind of bounce-back mentality that separates great coaches from the elite. Now, with a Sugar Bowl showdown against Ole Miss on deck, Smart has a chance to move to 5-0 in rematch scenarios - but the Rebels aren’t coming to New Orleans just to play spoiler.
They’re coming with a plan.
National analyst Steven Willis laid out a three-pronged approach that could give Georgia trouble - and it starts with the basics: control the run, win the turnover battle, and let Trinidad Chamblas show why he might be the best quarterback in the SEC. Sounds simple enough, right? But when you’re going up against a coach like Smart, who thrives on second chances, there’s no such thing as an easy formula.
Let’s break it down.
1. Stop the Run Game
This is priority number one, and it’s not up for debate. Georgia’s offense is built on physicality and balance, and when their ground game is clicking, they’re a nightmare to stop.
Pete Golding, Ole Miss’s defensive coordinator, echoed that sentiment during his Sugar Bowl press conference, saying everything starts with shutting down the run. Willis pointed to Arkansas’s blueprint earlier this season - a defensive effort that stymied Ole Miss - as the kind of game Georgia will try to replicate.
The magic number? 150 rushing yards.
If Ole Miss can keep Georgia under that threshold, it forces the Bulldogs into longer third downs, where their playbook shrinks and the defense can pin its ears back. That’s where the Rebels can start to tilt the field.
2. Win the Turnover Battle
It’s the oldest rule in football for a reason. Georgia under Smart doesn’t beat itself often, but if Ole Miss can steal a possession or two, that could be the difference.
Willis warned against one particular trap: going for it on fourth down deep in your own territory. Georgia loves to bait teams into risky decisions, only to flip the momentum with a quick score.
The Rebels need to play smart, calculated football - aggressive, but not reckless.
3. Let Chamblas Take Over
This is where things get interesting. Trinidad Chamblas has shown flashes of brilliance all season, and Thursday night is his chance to put an exclamation point on his breakout year.
If Ole Miss wants to pull off the upset, they’ll need Chamblas to be the best player on the field - not just a good quarterback, but the quarterback. That means making plays outside the pocket, extending drives, and capitalizing on every opportunity Georgia gives him - which won’t be many.
Willis called it “the simplest game Ole Miss is going to play all season.” But simplicity doesn’t mean easy - not against a coach who’s made a career out of adjusting and outmaneuvering opponents the second time around.
Kirby Smart’s Rematch Resume Speaks for Itself
Let’s talk numbers. Smart has faced Auburn, Alabama (twice), and Texas (twice) in second meetings during the same season - and he’s won every one of them.
His average margin of victory in those games? A commanding 15 points.
That’s not just adjusting - that’s dominating.
The 2021 national championship run featured a revenge win over Alabama. In 2024, Smart’s Bulldogs beat Texas in the regular season, then turned around and did it again in the SEC title game.
Most recently, Georgia crushed Alabama 28-7 in the SEC Championship after dropping the regular-season matchup. That’s the kind of resume that makes opposing coaches lose sleep.
Clean Football Is a Must
Ole Miss showed last week against Tulane that they can play disciplined football - just one penalty, and it was intentional. That’s the level of focus and execution they’ll need to maintain against Georgia. Any mental lapses, and Smart’s squad will make them pay.
And while we’re talking about Smart, it’s worth noting the milestone he just hit. At 50 years old, he’s now the longest-tenured head coach in the SEC following Kentucky’s decision to move on from Mark Stoops. With a 10-year, $130 million deal in his back pocket, he’s also the highest-paid coach in college football - and performances like his in rematches are a big reason why.
The Bottom Line
Ole Miss has a clear path - stop the run, protect the football, and let Chamblas shine. But executing that plan against a coach who’s never lost a rematch?
That’s the real challenge. Georgia has been here before.
They know how to adjust, how to respond, and how to finish.
Thursday night in New Orleans isn’t just another bowl game. It’s a chess match between one of college football’s sharpest minds and a hungry Ole Miss team looking to make history. Buckle up.