No. 12 Ole Miss will host No. 2 Georgia on Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Here is how the teams compare unit by unit.
Quarterback
In a battle of the two signal-callers, Rebel quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton each win in their own ways.
Chambliss recently reverted back to his off-script playmaking and incorporated his running game against Auburn. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart recently referred to Chambliss as “probably the best quarterback in the country.” Chambliss’ ability to run and make plays with his legs is a game-changing asset for the Rebels.
Rebel head coach Pete Golding shared his respect for Stockton’s efficiency — Stockton leads the SEC in completion percentage with 74.1%. He has four interceptions to 130 completions. Stockton is extremely responsible with the ball and is a great leader of the Georgia offense.
Running backs
The Bulldog running back room is stacked. The group is led by Nate Frazier, who has 47 carries for 297 yards and six touchdowns. The unit averages 200 rushing yards per game, good for third in the SEC. Dwight Phillips Jr. also averages 7.5 yards per carry and sits at 47 carries for 348 yards and two touchdowns.
The Rebels are relying heavily on Shekai Mills-Knight and Makhi Frazier, in light of Kewan Lacy’s absence due to a shoulder injury. Last week against Auburn was the room’s first time relying exclusively on Frazier and Mills-Knight. Frazier rushed 17 times for 56 yards. Mills-Knight had a breakout game, totaling 16 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldogs are favored in this category because of their depth.
Offensive line
Georgia and Ole Miss both have very talented offensive lines. The Bulldogs have allowed nine sacks, and the Rebels have allowed five. However, Georgia ranks No. 7 nationally in run blocking, and is third in the SEC with 200.1 rushing yards per game.
The Rebels have the edge in pass protection. Ole Miss allows a quarterback pressure on just 20.8% of plays. Right guard Patrick Kutas has been a dominant force on the Rebel line. Kutas has not surrendered a sack this season, and is one of the main reasons the Rebels rank first in the SEC in sack percentage.
Take the Rebels for pass protection, and the Bulldogs for run blocking.
Tight ends
Georgia has one of the best tight end rooms in the country. The tight ends have combined for 34 catches for 471 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Lawson Luckie headlines the group with 12 receptions for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Jaden Reddell has added eight receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. On top of the group’s pass-catching skills, these players are incredibly talented blockers.
Ole Miss has talented tight ends in Caleb Odom and Luke Hasz. Odom has 27 receptions for 360 yards and two touchdowns. Hasz has totaled 12 receptions for 89 yards. While the Rebels also have skill at the tight end position, the Bulldogs surpass it with significant depth.
Wide receivers
Ole Miss features are much more talented at the wide receiver position. Malachi Fields has charted 28 receptions for 357 yards, adding five touchdowns. Deuce Alexander has 669 yards and five touchdowns on 48 receptions.
Caleb Cunningham has also become a significant piece in the Rebel offense. Cunningham has 19 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
Georgia is led by Craig Dandridge, who has 349 yards and a touchdown on 20 receptions. Talyn Taylor has added 286 yards on 21 receptions and three touchdowns. While Georgia has its own talent, the Rebel wide receivers should be more feared heading into the matchup
Defensive line
Georgia’s defensive line is destructive. The group is seventh nationally with 26 sacks this season. The Rebels have 17 sacks on the year. In terms of third down efficiency, the Rebels struggle to get off the field, which was a problem last week against Auburn. The Rebels allowed Auburn to convert on 50% of third downs; the Tigers converted 5-of-8 third downs in the first half.
The Georgia defense has allowed a mere 86.8 rushing yards per game, ranking second in the SEC. Ole Miss allows 148.9 rushing yards per game, 13th in the SEC.
Secondary
The Ole Miss secondary has been questionable at times this year, but is coming off an incredible performance last week in which it allowed just three explosive plays and 249 passing yards. The group has seven interceptions through eight games.
Georgia’s secondary has allowed an average of 186.6 passing yards per game. Their group has lots of talent, and is ninth nationally and fourth in the SEC in explosive plays allowed, whereas the Rebels are last in the SEC in explosive plays allowed.
Linebackers
Georgia’s linebackers top the Rebels in this comparison. Chris Cole and Raylen Wilson lead a group that is ranked near the top nationally.
The Rebels linebacker corps is led by Tah’j Butler, Keaton Thomas and Luke Ferrelli. While the group is battle tested and strong, the Rebels are not quite in the same caliber as the Bulldogs, especially with Thomas being questionable for the matchup and Ferrelli recovering from an injury sustained against Auburn.
Kicker
Georgia fans will surely remember Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro and his Sugar Bowl-winning field goal. Carneiro is 12-for-15 in field goals this year. Bulldog kicker Peyton Woodring is 9-for-12. The Rebels have the edge year based on field goal percentage (80% to 75%).
