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No. 10 Ole Miss (6-2, 4-2) will face No. 2 Georgia (7-1, 5-1) on Saturday in a game that could be one of the most significant in the history of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. For the Rebels to control their College Football Playoff destiny, they must defeat Georgia for the third time in their last four meetings. A loss would leave Ole Miss's postseason fate in the hands of the playoff committee, with limited optimism for a meaningful bowl game. Given the challenges remaining on their schedule, the Rebels would have substantial ground to make up.
Ahead of the top-10 clash, the Ole Miss On SI staff provides their predictions and reasoning.
Staff Predictions
Matt Galatzan: The last two meetings between these teams were thrilling, with Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels offense dominating, including a College Football Playoff win over the Bulldogs. However, this year's dynamics have shifted: Ole Miss has a new play caller and new outside weapons, and the defense has struggled recently. Georgia relies on defense, running the ball, and controlling the clock—areas where Ole Miss has been vulnerable. For the Rebels to win, Chambliss, especially without Kewan Lacy, must play like Superman. He has done it before, but if Georgia deploys a similar game plan to Texas's two weeks ago, it could be a long day. Shekai Mills-Knight could be an X-factor, but relying on a redshirt freshman in this spotlight is risky. The Rebels have an elite home-field advantage, but ultimately, the game hinges on whether Ole Miss's defense can hold up against Georgia's run game. Prediction: Georgia 31, Ole Miss 27.
Tyler Komis: While many circled the LSU game preseason, this weekend was the one for me due to the realistic scenario of the Rebels having two losses at this point. Here we are. If Georgia brings its usual run game and run-stopping efficiency, it could be a long night for Ole Miss. However, there is optimism for the Rebels in those areas. September and October looked vastly different for Ole Miss, especially defensively. Offensively, Chambliss must replicate his Week 3 performance against LSU. The version we saw against Auburn was the next closest, and he must continue adding yards with his legs even on designed runs. Without Lacy, Ole Miss needs efficiency from Chambliss, Makhi Frazier, and Mills-Knight on the ground. The Rebels also desperately need a bounce-back game from explosive player Deuce Alexander. Ole Miss was in a similar spot in November 2024. Like then, I'm picking the Rebels to get it done again, but it should be much closer than the last game in Oxford. Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Georgia 31.
Jaydon Koss: With two losses already, Saturday night's game is a must-win to keep playoff hopes strong. That should translate into a motivated team and an electric environment at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. When playing in The Vaught, especially at night, there isn't a team in the country I'd take over Ole Miss. The Rebels are 26-1 at home since 2023, including a win over Georgia in the 2024 regular season with very similar stakes. Picking any team, especially one as hot and cold as Ole Miss, to beat the No. 2 team could age poorly. Despite that, give me Pete Golding, Trinidad Chambliss, and the rest of the Rebels to win and keep their playoff and SEC Championship ambitions alive, sending fans home happy on Saturday night. Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Georgia 24.
Zion Trammell: Pete Golding's biggest challenge is slowing down Georgia's rushing attack. The Bulldogs average 200 rushing yards per game, and if Ole Miss can't stop it, the Rebels could struggle to pull ahead. Golding will need Chambliss to deliver if Ole Miss is to defeat Georgia. If the Rebels consistently get off the field on third down and establish offensive rhythm, I think Ole Miss gets a huge win. Prediction: Ole Miss 28, Georgia 24.
Cooper Ferguson: A budding rivalry between two of the SEC's top programs. We're in for a barnburner at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium tomorrow night. Trinidad Chambliss is beginning to look like himself again, and with the Rebels' offensive line performing as well as ever, I expect an incredible offensive showing from the home side. Kirby Smart's team will never go down easy, and Gunnar Stockton is a solid leader for the Bulldogs offense. Sparks will fly in Oxford, but a repeat of 2024 is in order. Prediction: Ole Miss 28, Georgia 21.
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Bio: Tyler Komis is a beat reporter for Ole Miss On SI. He is a Biletnikoff Award and Lombardi Award voter from New Jersey with more than five years of sports reporting experience. Prior to joining On SI, he covered Ole Miss Athletics for 247Sports (2021-2026), chronicling the football program's rise and the beginning of its coaching transition to Pete Golding ahead of the 2025-26 College Football Playoffs. You can find Komis on social media, including X/Twitter @TylerKomis.