What was once an occasional SEC matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia has developed into a growing rivalry, with both programs trading victories in recent seasons. The Rebels and Bulldogs have split their last four meetings and will meet again on Nov. 7 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, adding another chapter to their recent history.
Georgia has established itself as one of college football’s premier programs under head coach Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs won back-to-back National Championships in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and captured consecutive SEC Championships in 2024 and 2025.
Their sustained success has made them a consistent contender for conference and national titles, making the Bulldogs a top-tier team in college football.
“When you get a lot of really good players and have good systems in all three phases and have really good coaches, you’re tough to beat,” Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding said on Nov. 2.
Ole Miss has experienced its own rise in recent seasons. The Rebels finished the 2025 season with a 13-2 record and reached the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time in program history. Their postseason run included a 39-34 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Although Georgia has historically dominated the series, Ole Miss has found success against the Bulldogs in recent years. Georgia leads the all-time series 34-14-1. The first meeting of the two teams dates back to their first meeting on Oct. 12, 1940, when the Rebels won 28-14.
The rivalry gained renewed attention in 2023 when the No. 1 Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 52-17 in Athens, Ga. Georgia controlled the matchup, handing Ole Miss one of its most lopsided losses of the season.
The following year, Ole Miss responded with a memorable victory in Oxford. On Nov. 9, 2024, the Rebels defeated No. 2 Georgia 28-10 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The victory marked a significant moment for Ole Miss, demonstrating its ability to compete with one of college football’s top programs.
Georgia answered in 2025, defeating Ole Miss 43-35 in Athens. Unlike the 2023 matchup, the Rebels kept the game competitive, but the Bulldogs came away with the victory.
The two teams met less than three months later, this time with a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals on the line. In the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34, eliminating the Bulldogs from national title contention.
The Rebels entered the fourth quarter trailing 24-19 before scoring 20 points to secure the victory. Kicker Lucas Carneiro connected on a 47-yard field goal with six seconds left to put the Rebels ahead 37-34, and the Rebels forced a safety on the final play of the game. The Sugar Bowl victory marked an important moment for Ole Miss Athletics and one fans will never forget.
The postseason meeting added another dimension to the developing rivalry. While the previous games carried implications on SEC and postseason standings, the Sugar Bowl marked the first postseason meeting between the programs.
Despite the recent competitiveness, the programs have not traditionally been considered major rivals. Ole Miss has longstanding rivalries with Mississippi State and LSU, while Georgia’s traditional rivals include Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech.
However, the frequency and significance of their recent matchups have given both programs another familiar rival in the SEC. Rebel defensive tackle and Sugar Bowl defensive MVP Will Echoles spoke about facing the Bulldogs in a press conference on Nov. 3.
“I love playing Georgia. It’s a big time game, a very physical game,” Echoles said. “It’s a game you want to be a part of. Last year, I made a name for myself in the Sugar Bowl, so it’s always a special time when I play them. I’m excited. (I am) ready to get to work on Saturday.”
Georgia will return to Oxford for the first time since its 2024 loss. The Nov. 7 matchup is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ABC. No. 12 Ole Miss enters the game with a 6-2 record following a 45-15 victory over Auburn, while No. 2 Georgia is 7-1 after defeating Florida 27-8. Both teams will look to build on their recent victories in another chapter of their developing rivalry.
With two victories apiece in their last four meetings, the Rebels and Bulldogs have turned a historically one-sided series into a competitive matchup. Whether the competition develops into a lasting SEC rivalry remains to be seen, but another meeting in Oxford will give both programs an opportunity to shape their futures.
