Auburn’s win over then No. 1 Georgia in Athens is still the biggest shock of the season so far, and now No. 10 Ole Miss gets its own shot at the Bulldogs on Saturday in Oxford.
Both teams enter the matchup with plenty on the line. A win would do more than help the College Football Playoff picture; it would also strengthen each team’s spot in the SEC standings. The question for the Rebels is simple: can they borrow anything from the formula Auburn used to topple Kirby Smart’s team?
The clearest answer starts with turnovers. Auburn’s upset was built on a +3 margin, with Georgia coughing up a fumble and starting quarterback Gunner Stockton throwing two interceptions while the Tigers protected the ball all night. It’s not complicated, but extra possessions can flip a game no matter the setting, even when one team is more talented and playing at home under the lights.
That’s where the challenge gets tougher for Ole Miss. The Rebels’ turnover margin for the season is zero point zero, and they have forced 12 turnovers while giving the ball away at the same rate.
Georgia, meanwhile, has been stingy with the football all year. The Bulldogs rank 15th nationally in turnover margin at +0.75 and have committed only nine turnovers total.
Strip away the Auburn loss, and Georgia has just six turnovers in its other seven games. That means Ole Miss probably can’t count on a big takeaway night.
Still, creating extra chances doesn’t stop with turnovers. Auburn also stayed alive on fourth down, converting 2/2 in key spots.
That’s an area where Ole Miss may need to be aggressive, too. The Rebels are 5/9 on fourth down this season, and Pete Golding will have to choose his moments carefully.
With both coaches likely leaning more conservative because of what’s at stake, extending drives and keeping Georgia’s defense on the field could be critical.
Auburn also won with balance on offense, not by overwhelming Georgia with one explosive phase. The Tigers ran for 192 yards and threw for 174, with talented and mobile QB Byrum Brown leading both parts of the attack.
That raises the obvious question for Ole Miss: can Trinidad Chambliss do something similar? Check the Sugar Bowl highlights from last year as a reminder.
For the Rebels, the path is pretty clear. Chambliss has to make plays creatively with the football, the defense needs to steal another possession or two, and Golding has to be willing to take calculated risks when the moment calls for it. That’s the blueprint if Ole Miss wants to follow Auburn’s lead on Saturday.
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Georgia Heads To Ole Miss With Gunner Stockton Facing His Toughest Test
Georgias trip to Oxford brings a different kind of stress test for Gunner Stockton, one that goes beyond the usual road-game noise. Ole Miss has made it clear it wants to get hands on receivers early, shrink the easy throws and make the Georgia quarterback hold the ball long enough for pressure to arrive.
For a Bulldogs offense still settling around Stockton, that means the passing game has to answer a defense built to disrupt timing and force uncomfortable decisions. The Rebels approach is straightforward enough in theory, but it can change the rhythm of a game quickly if Georgia cannot win cleanly at the line and keep Stockton on schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Must Disrupt One Georgia Strength To Flip This Rivalry
Ole Miss is seeing Georgia again, and this one carries a familiar edge after the Bulldogs took the first two meetings between the teams in the calendar year, including a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The Rebels know the challenge by now: Georgia has been able to control the matchup, and the task this time is to make the Bulldogs play on Ole Misss terms instead of settling into their preferred rhythm.
Gunner Stockton is central to that plan, because Georgias offense has looked most comfortable when he can operate cleanly and keep the unit moving. For Ole Miss, the path to changing the result starts with disrupting that comfort, forcing pressure and making the Bulldogs work harder for every possession. If the Rebels can do that, they give themselves a real chance to turn a rivalry that has gone Georgias way into something far more competitive. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Faces A Hidden Georgia Edge In Top 10 Showdown
Field position has a way of quietly shaping big games, and that is part of the backdrop for Ole Miss upcoming top 10 showdown with Georgia. The numbers are close enough to miss at first glance, but they matter: Ole Miss has been starting its drives at its own 27.5-yard line on average, while Georgia has been getting a little more breathing room at the 31.5. In a matchup where possessions are likely to be at a premium, even a few yards of difference can affect how often an offense has to work for points.
For Ole Miss, that means the Rebels may have to be a little sharper in the hidden parts of the game, especially if they want to keep pace with a Georgia team that has enjoyed a slightly better setup on its possessions. It does not decide anything by itself, and it certainly does not settle a game this loaded with talent, but it does add another layer to a meeting that already feels like it could turn on small margins. [Read more 🡒]