Georgia Tech vs. Ole Miss Keys To The Game
What does Ole Miss have to prove? Actually, there's plenty in 2023, but that might not come in Week 3's matchup against Georgia Tech.
The No. 17 Rebels proved their ability to attack through the air with Jaxson Dart, who has six touchdown passes through two games. They have a legitimate No. 1 weapon in Tre Harris, who's on pace to finish with 19 touchdowns this season in Oxford. They also can pound the rock with Quinshon Judkins, as evident by his record-breaking season in 2022.
Questions on Ole Miss being able to play from behind? Consider that answered after last week's 37-20 win over No. 24 Tulane. While the Green Wave was without starting quarterback Michael Pratt, Kai Horton kept the offense afloat, jumping out to a 17-10 lead at halftime. A pep talk — if one were to call it that from Lane Kiffin — and a couple of highlight plays later, the Rebels were back in sync, outscoring Tulane 27-3 in the final 30 minutes.
This matchup is about composure. The Rebels head to Tuscaloosa, Ala., next Saturday to take on the No. 10 Crimson Tide. Nick Saban's squad showed last weekend against Texas that despite having the perfect coach in college football protruding the sidelines, they are vulnerable in multiple areas.
It would be easy for Kiffin to look ahead. The same goes for the players, who right now are salivating at the thought of giving the flagship program of the SEC its second loss entering in September for the first time since 2003.
There's a game to be played Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Should the Rebels walk away victorious, it'd mark the third time in the Kiffin era they've started a year 3-0. Both seasons ended with 8-plus wins and prominent bowl appearances, including a trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl in 2021.
Could one call the Yellow Jackets a trap team? A better term would be "look ahead opponent" since Ole Miss handled business last season at Bobby Dodd Stadium 42-0.
Ole Miss wins if...
... it keeps its sights on Saturday.
Georgia Tech self-imploded in the second half against Louisville. Haynes King fumbled midway in the fourth quarter and swung the momentum back in favor of the Cardinals. The defense, which held Louisville to 1-of-11 on third down, couldn't contain Jawhar Jordan from turning on the jets with a 74-yard touchdown run.
There's continuity on offense. Defensively, Pete Golding is finding a rhythm between play-calling and personnel packages. Last week against the Green Wave, Jared Ivey called game with a 27-yard scoop-and-score, putting Ole Miss up by 17 with less than two minutes remaining.
Entering Saturday, Ole Miss is the only SEC program with a ranked win entering Week 3. They also remain the one team that has yet to show a glaring weakness that could derail the season. The harsh reality is that the SEC hasn't lived up to its dominance and “rah rah” mentality that was on display over the past decade.
Georgia won two blowout games, but fans have grumbled at the sluggish first half from Mike Bobo's play-calling. Alabama, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida and LSU all lost to Power Five contenders. Mississippi State and Auburn struggled against lower-tier Pac-12 programs and barely walked away with wins, while Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Missouri struggled in Week 2 against "cupcake opponents."
The Rebels deserve credit for their hot start, but great teams know how to handle their composure with a prominent matchup looming. Stay the course, keep a calm demeanor, and think of the next drive instead of the following week.
If that happens, Kiffin could have time to start watching film on his former boss by the start of the fourth quarter.
Georgia Tech wins if...
... it keeps drives alive with third-down conversions.
Forcing Ole Miss into uncomfortable situations might be the Yellow Jackets' best way of pulling off the upset. Speeding up the offensive tempo is another.
Georgia Tech enters Saturday's game 31st in third-down conversions at 52.1 percent. Despite losing to Louisville, the Yellow Jackets won time of possession (30:19) and converted 46.1 percent of the time against a potent run defense.
On paper, Georgia Tech will still need to stop Judkins and the rushing attack from breaking free for massive gains. The Yellow Jackets have allowed 5.6 yards per run this season and haven't shown signs of fortifying the flaws. Still, if the offense can work the clock in their favor, there's something brewing for Key.
