Ole Miss vs. Georgia Betting Guide: Best Bet for Sugar Bowl

Ole Miss and Georgia will clash for the second time this season with a College Football Playoff semi-final spot on the line. The Rebels enter at 12–1, behind a six-game winning streak after a dominant 41–10 victory over Tulane in the opening round of the CFP.

Their lone loss came earlier in the year on the road against Georgia, a game Ole Miss controlled for much of the night before falling apart late in the 3rd and entire 4th quarter. Georgia is also 12–1 and has looked every bit like a national title contender since its loss to Alabama.

The Bulldogs have won nine straight games, including a statement 28–7 victory over Alabama in the SEC Championship. Kirby Smart’s teams are known for peaking late, and he usually has the upper hand at beating a team a second consecutive time, as we have seen in the past.

Ole Miss Offense vs. Georgia Defense

Ole Miss brings one of the most explosive offenses in the country. The Rebels rank top-10 nationally in scoring and sit near the top of the FBS in total offense, driven by an elite passing attack that averages over 300 yards per game. They also rank among the nation’s best in first downs, but I do think that takes a big step back against major competition, without your main play-caller and leader, Lane Kiffin.

Georgia boasts a top 10 scoring defense, elite against the run, and excellent in red-zone situations. While Georgia’s pass defense isn’t as dominant as its run-stopping, it has tightened up significantly as the season has wound down. That mattered in the first meeting, where Ole Miss moved the ball early but failed to score in the fourth quarter while also failing to gain a first down in the fourth quarter.

Red-zone efficiency stands out as a major separator. Ole Miss ranks outside the top 60 offensively in red zone scoring and near the bottom defensively, while Georgia ranks top 15 offensively and top 10 defensively.

Georgia Offense vs. Ole Miss Defense

Georgia’s offense isn’t built around explosive passing, but they sure are efficient. The Bulldogs rank top 10 in scoring while leaning on a strong rushing attack and consistent third-down execution. They average nearly 190 rushing yards per game and rank top 10 in first downs, allowing them to control not only the clock, but key possessions.

Ole Miss’s defense has been solid across the board, ranking top 30 in scoring defense and holding up reasonably well against both the run and pass. However, Georgia’s depth and offensive line advantage become increasingly important late in games as they are able to wear down the opponent. We saw first hand evidence of that in game 1 as Ole Miss failed to do anything of significance in the fourth quarter.

Georgia lost in last year’s playoffs after having a bye and I think that will 100% have their FULL attention to put this game away. Take Georgia up to -7.

Pick: 2% Georgia -6 (-107)