Ole Miss Rebels at Georgia Bulldogs

TALE OF THE TAPE Georgia Bulldogs Ole Miss Rebels Record 12-1 ← 12-1 SP+ Defense 13.5 ← 17.7 Rush Yds Allowed 1030 ← 1921 Red Zone TD % 79.3% ← 64.2% Key Injuries Jones (OUT) Beavers (OUT) Gary's Take This spread is telling a story about stability versus chaos, and the numbers back it up emphatically. The departure of Lane Kiffin to LSU is not just a distraction; it is a structural failure for an Ole Miss offense that is entirely predicated on his play-calling rhythm. Interim coach Pete Golding is a defensive mind stepping into a CEO role against Kirby Smart, who is 7-2 in bowl games and arguably the best adjustment coach in the sport. That mismatch alone is worth points. Beyond the coaching turmoil, the trench warfare heavily favors the Bulldogs. Georgia's run defense has been suffocating, allowing just 1,030 rushing yards all season, while the Rebels have surrendered nearly double that amount (1,921 yards). In a high-stakes CFP Quarterfinal, the ability to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball effectively is the ultimate stabilizer. Ole Miss has the explosiveness to hit big plays, but Georgia's "touchdown or bust" red zone efficiency (79% TD rate) ensures that when they get close, they maximize points. While Georgia's secondary is banged up missing Kyron Jones, their front seven havoc (8.9%) creates enough disruption to cover for the back end. We saw this movie in October when Georgia outscored Ole Miss 17-0 in the fourth quarter. Without Kiffin to dial up the counter-punches, the Rebels fade down the stretch again. Lay the points with the program that has championship DNA intact.