Ole Miss Rebels vs. Georgia Bulldogs Staff Predictions

The Ole Miss Rebels and Georgia Bulldogs are set for a top 10 matchup on Saturday night between the hedges in Athens, although the standing of both teams will determine on Tuesday's release of the next installment in the College Football Playoff Poll.

Ole Miss is an underdog heading to Athens this week, but the hype surrounding this game is real, especially with ESPN's College GameDay coming to town. Both the Rebels and Bulldogs have established themselves as top-tier programs in the SEC this season, but Georgia likely has higher CFP aspirations than that of Ole Miss, even though Lane Kiffin's team is still in the conversation.

The Rebels' role in that conversation would change from a "murmur" to a "shout" with a win this weekend, however. A win in Athens, and you're suddenly a very serious contender for one of the top four spots come playoff time.

Georgia has a plethora of playmakers at its disposal, but it has been without leading receiver Brock Bowers for a few weeks due to injury. Even after missing games, Bowers still holds the title as the team's leading receiver.

For now, however, there is the game itself to play, and here are The Grove Report's staff predictions for Saturday's action.

Ben King, Staff Writer

The Ole Miss Rebels are not favored entering their daunting road game versus the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, but I am once again going to play the role of the hopeful optimist in favor of Lane Kiffin’s program. If the Rebels want to come away with a victory in Athens, they will have to play perfect football, and a little bit of luck/magic would certainly go a long way.

Ole Miss is the only SEC team that Kirby Smart has not defeated in his time at UGA, which gives the Bulldogs all the bulletin material they need to want to come away with a win on Saturday. Ole Miss already picked up a signature conference victory versus LSU in Week 5, but I believe the Rebels have one more in them this season.

Ole Miss 31, Georgia 28

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

The Rebels are good enough to give the two-time defending national champions a game in their home building. Mizzou also laid down a baseline on how to defeat a program like Georgia in its own backyard.

Still, Ole Miss just doesn't measure up roster-wise to the Bulldogs. That means perfection is needed. Can Jaxson Dart play turnover-less football? Can the keep defense force more three-and-outs than drives ending in three points? Will Quinshon Judkins break free for a couple of 20-yard runs?

That's what's needed to beat a team like Georgia. It'll be close, but the Rebels come up just short. Kirby Smart gets his last-needed win in the SEC before realignment comes knocking.

Georgia 31, Ole Miss 28

Timm Hamm, Staff Writer

These are not the Bulldogs we've seen over the past two national championship seasons, but they're still the Bulldogs. And while they've had some harrowing wins this year en route to 9-0, they're still undefeated. Near-slip ups against South Carolina, Auburn, and Mizzou showed us how vulnerable they are. And Ole Miss will be the best team they've faced all year. Send out the upset alert.

Ole Miss 31, Georgia 30

Matt Galatzan, Editor

The Ole Miss Rebels have a chance to not only get a season defining win, but throw the College Football Playoff rankings into chaos. Not only that, but Saturday marks the biggest game of Lane Kiffin’s coaching career to date. I think Kiffin pulls out all the stops, and the Rebels find a way to shock the world.

Ole Miss 37, Georgia 34

John Macon Gillespie, Publisher

This Ole Miss team has shown the ability to win close games time and time again this season, but my brain is telling me that Georgia's talent and home field advantage will be too much to overcome in this one. I think the Rebels cover, but the Bulldogs hold on to give Ole Miss its second loss of the season.

Georgia 31, Ole Miss 24