Joel Klatt picks Georgia to win, Ole Miss to cover

According to BetMGM, No. 9 Georgia is a 7.5-point favorite against No. 5 Ole Miss this weekend. On Thursday, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt weighed in on the enormous SEC showdown.

“Lane [Kiffin] is going to have a good plan. Trinidad Chambliss, I’m sure, is going to play better than he did a week ago. He’s a very good player, and generally has been good for them,” Klatt said. “Georgia has not been great getting pressure on the quarterback. They’re last in the SEC in QB pressure rate right now, which is a little bit alarming. They’ve only got eight sacks in their six games. That’s the second fewest in the SEC.

“They’re going to need to try to put pressure on Chambliss some way. Now, I don’t see Georgia running away in this game, but I also find it hard to believe that Ole Miss is going to be the team that can go in there and actually kill Georgia in a 60-minute affair. This Georgia team just has nine lives… Ultimately, I just don’t think Ole Miss is that team.

“Ole Miss’ résumé is not great. A lot of one possession games, the résumé is built on LSU right now, and we don’t really know what LSU is. We’ll find out more against Vandy. Georgia’s 50-2 in their last 52 games between the hedges. Obviously, they lost this year against ‘Bama, but there’s something about the resilience of this Georgia team. I’m going to say Georgia wins the game 27-24. So, without the ability to run away, I think you take the +7.5.”

Ole Miss won’t make it easy for the Bulldogs to win in blowout fashion. The Rebels are 6-0 and 3-0 in SEC play. They didn’t inspire confidence in their 24-21 win over Washington State in Week 7, but they’ve proven they’re capable of competing with, and defeating, elite competition.

The Rebels not only have a win over LSU this season, but also over Group-of-Five powerhouse Tulane. Alas, Georgia has looked strong since its Week 5 loss to Alabama. The Bulldogs have won their last two outings, and their defense has made significant improvements.

Joel Klatt ultimately foresees Georgia’s defense proving pivotal, and the Bulldogs escaping with a narrow victory. The Bulldogs and Rebels will square off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ABC.

---

DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting.

The content provided in this article is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of On3. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.

Bets and betting odds data are powered by BetMGM. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in the US), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 (MI), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Must be 21+. Visit BetMGM.com for terms and conditions. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements.”