Ole Miss QB Chambliss Tips Cap to Georgia’s Defense - and Gets Ready for Round Two
Back in October, Ole Miss rolled into Athens with a mission: prove they belonged on the national stage. With quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leading the charge, the Rebels came out swinging, scoring touchdowns on each of their first five drives and putting Georgia’s defense on its heels. For much of the night, it looked like Ole Miss was ready to flip the script.
But then came the fourth quarter-and Georgia reminded everyone why they’re still Georgia.
The Bulldogs’ defense tightened the screws, shutting down Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense on their final three possessions. When it mattered most, Georgia’s defense showed up with the kind of physicality and discipline that’s become a hallmark of the Kirby Smart era.
Chambliss, who piled up over 300 total yards in that game, didn’t shy away from giving credit where it’s due.
“I wouldn’t say they were the fastest defense, but I’d say they were the most physical and well-coached defense we saw this year,” Chambliss said this week. “They’re a very disciplined defense.
The physicality of their linebackers stands out. They come downhill and they are great in pursuit when quarterbacks get out of the pocket.”
That’s high praise coming from a quarterback who’s seen his share of tough defenses this season. But Chambliss wasn’t done.
“It’s Georgia. They’re going to have huge guys.
They’re going to have five stars, they’re going to have four stars that are hungry,” he said. “Their defensive line is always stacked with dudes that can be in the NFL any given day.
So we’re going to play our ball. They’re coached by Kirby Smart and Coach [Glenn] Schumann on the defensive side, so they’re going to be well-coached and locked in as well.
So we have to be ready as well.”
That kind of respect isn’t just talk-it’s earned. Georgia’s defense made the right adjustments in that first meeting, and they’ll need to do it again Thursday night. The Bulldogs have steadily improved their pass rush over the course of the season, and they’ll need every bit of that pressure to contain Chambliss, who’s proven he can hurt teams both through the air and with his legs.
For Ole Miss, the challenge is clear: match Georgia’s physicality. The Rebels showed in October that they can move the ball and strike quickly, but sustaining that success means staying sharp, staying disciplined, and keeping their foot on the gas for four full quarters.
Georgia, meanwhile, knows what’s at stake. They’ve built their identity on defense, and their ability to rise in the biggest moments is what separates them from the rest. They did it once already this season when the game was on the line-and they’ll be looking to do it again.
Thursday night isn’t just a rematch. It’s a chance for Ole Miss to prove they’ve grown since that first meeting. And it’s a chance for Georgia to remind everyone that when the lights are brightest, their defense still sets the tone.