Sugar Bowl Showdown: Will Ole Miss Fans Outnumber Georgia’s in New Orleans?
When it comes to college football, home field advantage isn’t just a luxury-it’s often a difference-maker. And few programs have leaned into that edge quite like Georgia over the past decade. Between the hedges in Athens, the Bulldogs have been nearly untouchable, feeding off the energy of a raucous, red-and-black-clad crowd that rarely leaves disappointed.
But once the postseason arrives, that home field comfort disappears. The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format has introduced first-round home games, but Georgia won’t get that benefit this year. Instead, the Bulldogs are headed to New Orleans for a CFP quarterfinal clash with Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl-a neutral-site battle with a whole lot on the line.
Now, here’s where things get interesting: while the Superdome may be neutral on paper, the crowd could tell a different story.
According to Steven Willis, a host of the Locked On Ole Miss podcast, the Rebels’ fan base is ready to make a statement in the stands. His prediction? More Ole Miss fans than Georgia fans in the building when kickoff arrives.
“There is going to be more Ole Miss fans than Georgia fans at the Sugar Bowl,” Willis said, confidently forecasting a sea of red and blue in the Big Easy.
At first glance, that might raise a few eyebrows. Georgia fans are known for traveling well, and the program’s recent success has only strengthened that tradition. But there’s a real case to be made for a strong Rebel turnout this time around.
Let’s not forget-this is uncharted territory for Ole Miss. It’s the first time the Rebels have ever reached the College Football Playoff.
Last week’s first-round win was historic, but it came in the familiar confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Now, for the first time, their fans get to experience the electric atmosphere of a neutral-site playoff game.
And for a passionate fan base that’s waited a long time for this moment, that’s a hard opportunity to pass up.
Georgia, on the other hand, is no stranger to the playoff stage. Since the CFP’s inception in 2014, the Bulldogs have been regulars.
Their fans have had their share of semifinal and title game trips. That familiarity might lead some to hold out, hoping to save the travel budget for a potential semifinal-or even a return to the national championship game.
Still, let’s not get carried away. Even if Ole Miss fans show up in droves-and there’s every reason to believe they will-this isn’t going to feel like a home game for either side.
Georgia fans may not have the novelty factor, but they’ve proven time and again that they show up when it counts. Expect a fairly even split in the stands, and an atmosphere worthy of a playoff quarterfinal.
In the end, it’s not just about who brings more fans. It’s about how those fans impact the game. And in a high-stakes matchup like this, every chant, cheer, and third-down roar will matter.
So whether it’s Hotty Toddy or “Go Dawgs” echoing louder through the Superdome, one thing’s for sure-the Sugar Bowl is going to be rocking.