When the University of Georgia Bulldogs take the field in Oxford Saturday against the Ole Miss Rebels, Head Coach Kirby Smart and Quarterback Carson Beck have their work cut out for them.
Now, that’s not to say they aren’t leading what is arguably the best team in the SEC, but Smart has not won at Ole Miss, and Beck sorely needs to stem the tide of interceptions plaguing his passing game. In many ways, this could be the only chance of an upset left on the ‘Dawgs schedule, and a loss to Ole Miss could create postseason challenges.
Ole Miss is a Better Football Team Than Most People Think
While nobody really likes Lane Kiffin, except whoever is paying his salary, it doesn’t take a lot of analysis of the statistics the Rebels have put up this year to realize his program is better than their 7-2 record might suggest. Quarterback Jaxson Dart has thrown for over 3200 yards and 21 touchdowns in the air, and the run game he’s managing with rushing leader Henry Parrish, Jr. has generated over 1,600 yards and a jaw-dropping 24 touchdowns.
Yes, the pundits can – and will – argue the old “strength of schedule” and there’s truth in it. Shellacking teams like Furman, MTSU, and Georgia Southern pads numbers and let’s the B Team get reps in Oxford, but Georgia has worn out a few also-rans this season, too. UGAs near-loss to Kentucky, though, still brings up questions about just how good the Bulldogs team really is this year. The facts are simple: Georgia will have to put together four solid quarters of high performance football to emerge from Oxford a winner.
Will the Georgia Bulldogs Look Past The Rebels?
While Ole Miss knows Georgia is the best program they’ll play in the regular season, UGA doesn’t have that luxury. A rejuvenated Tennessee looms on the horizon next weekend, and while the Dawgs will be at home for it, it’s easy to rationalize they could underestimate Ole Miss. Kirby Smart has not won in Oxford, and concerns about quarterback Carson Beck’s accuracy, with 17 interceptions this season, could be the Bulldog’s undoing. have
Ultimately, this game is going to come down to discipline. The Bulldogs have minimized penalties this season, still losing 69 yards per game to them, but that number is dwarfed by Ole Miss’ 86 yards per game penalty average. This could be a decisive challenge in what will surely be a very physical game and an electric atmosphere.
It’s Make Or Break For Carson Beck
“For me, I just have to do better, whether that’s in the preparation or when I get into the game, just the in-game decision-making. There’s times where it’s OK to throw it away when it’s not there.”
Kirby Smart defended Beck against the naysayers in the post-game press conference, saying, “The two plays that he would want back were late, scramble, throw-it-up play. And to be honest with you, he hasn’t done that much, you know?” The challenge of an interception here and there isn’t big on the surface, but the reality is, if Georgia plans to move into the championship conversation, the interceptions have to be minimized. The Ole Miss defense has put up some significant numbers in their pass defense, and Beck’s accuracy is going to have to be excellent, or the Rebels will bring the Dawg’s passing game to a halt. Beck’s primary receivers, Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett, are going to have to run tight routes and play smart football.
All in all? This game, kicking off Saturday at 3:30, might be one of the best of the season, and the Bulldogs’ three-point advantage may not be enough to come out of Oxford victorious.
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