ATHENS, Ga. – The No. 5 ranking in the AP Top 25 reflects the progress Mississippi has made this season according to head coach Lane Kiffin, who emphasizes that a victory against No. 9 Georgia could elevate their achievements even further.
Kiffin is clear in recognizing Georgia as a powerhouse in college football, stating, “This isn’t coachspeak; it’s stats or facts. This is the elite program in college football.” Ole Miss, boasting a 6-0 record this season, previously defeated Georgia 28-10 at home. However, Kiffin acknowledges that securing a win in Athens presents a greater challenge.
Georgia (5-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) recently experienced the end of a remarkable 33-game home winning streak, falling 24-21 against then-No. 17 Alabama on September 27—marking their first home loss since 2019. Under head coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have proven to be formidable at home, remaining undefeated against top-10 teams with a 10-0 record.
Kiffin remarked on the significance of this upcoming matchup, saying, “It’s a great opportunity to see if we can beat an elite program like we did last year at their place.”
The Bulldogs are known for their robust defense, a key factor in their back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has contributed to his team’s tough reputation, particularly highlighted by their comeback victory against Auburn earlier this season.
Smart admires his team’s resilience, as exemplified in their 20-10 win over Auburn where they overcame a 10-0 deficit. “We’ve played really physical and out-conditioned teams down the wire, which is a great trait to have,” he noted while stressing the need for improved early-game play.
On the other side, Ole Miss has demonstrated their own ability to rally, with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. In a recent 24-21 win over Washington State, Chambliss threw for two touchdowns and contributed a rushing score. Smart describes Chambliss as an “explosive” player, adept at navigating the field with agility and precision.
Memory plays a significant role for the Bulldogs, as linebacker Raylen Wilson noted the motivation stemming from last season’s defeat to Ole Miss. “The players that returned have a chip on their shoulder,” he said, indicating a fierce determination to avenge that loss.
The upcoming game will draw significant attention, with College Gameday making its presence felt in Athens. As Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling pointed out, “This is one of the games why you transfer here, to play in these big games.”
As both teams prepare for this critical showdown, Ole Miss has established a potent running game, led by Missouri transfer Kewan Lacy, while Georgia has maintained a balanced approach with multiple players contributing to their ground attack.
With both teams poised to make a statement in this highly anticipated matchup, the atmosphere is likely to be charged, and fans can expect an intense competition on the gridiron.