Who poses the biggest challenge for Georgia in 2024? According to Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart, Ole Miss is making a compelling argument.
Following their disappointing loss in Athens last season, the No. 16 Rebels are prepared for a rematch. Coming off a dominating 30-point victory at Arkansas, Ole Miss is eager to seek revenge and enhance their standing in the College Football Playoff race.
Smart is aware of this potential threat.
“The more you watch them, the more you respect them,” Smart remarked during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference with reporters. “When you compare their offense and defense, they probably offer the best combination in our conference. They’re excelling on both sides and playing exceptional football right now. The challenge in Oxford will be significant.”
Smart’s recognition of the Rebels’ balance is astute. Aside from a Week 5 loss to Kentucky, Ole Miss’s offense has been nearly unstoppable when in rhythm. Their statistics support this, as they lead the SEC in total offense (555.44 yards per game), points per game (42.11), and yards per play (7.71). Defensively, they rank among the top in red zone defense (66.67 percent) and rushing yards allowed.
Under Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss’s offense has consistently performed well over the past four years. Last year’s successful 11-2 season featured standout performances from Jaxson Dart and Tre Harris, although their defense limited their playoff aspirations.
After suffering a 52-17 loss at Sanford Stadium last season, the Rebels prioritized improving their defense, enhancing both their pass rush and secondary. They secured commitments from notable recruits such as defensive linemen Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen, linebacker Chris Paul Jr., and defensive back Trey Amos as part of their defensive rebuilding effort.
Smart acknowledged that this defensive upgrade will impact their preparation for Saturday’s game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
“They’re really good, arguably possessing the best defense in the country in terms of sacks and tackles for loss in the SEC. It’s a testament to their play at the line of scrimmage,” Smart mentioned about Ole Miss. “They’ve made improvements across the board. This is Pete Golding’s second year in the system; last year was challenging due to personnel limitations, but now he has talented players. Good players enhance schemes.”
“If anything, they’ve leaned on their defense, which has kept them competitive and nearly secured victories for them. They could easily be undefeated. They’ve achieved what they set out to do this season.”
The Rebels will host Georgia on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, with Georgia entering as a 2.5-point favorite. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
