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Dawg Tracks: 15 thoughts heading into Georgia-Ole Miss

by: Jason Butt10/15/25JasonHButt
NCAA Football: Mississippi at Georgia
Nov 11, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks to Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart before a game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Here is this week’s Dawg Tracks column with Georgia preparing to face Ole Miss this Saturday.

1. In three of Georgia’s last four games, the defense has gotten off to slow starts. The Bulldogs were able to overcome this against Tennessee and Auburn. They weren’t able to against Alabama. Georgia can’t continue to live this way.

2. The Rebels are averaging 20.6 points in the first half of each game. The Bulldogs aren’t too far behind at 15.5 points in the first half. However, Georgia’s number averaged down after scoring three points in the first half against Auburn.

3. Is it gamesmanship? Or could Lane Kiffin actually play Austin Simmons against Georgia? Trinidad Chambliss has been great in the majority of his time starting at quarterback. But if he struggles on the road in Athens, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Kiffin turn to Simmons if he’s good to go from his foot injury.

4. Mobile quarterbacks have always been a problem for Kirby Smart, so it will be a challenge to face either Chambliss or Simmons. A year ago, Jaxson Dart ran for 50 yards on eight carries.

5. If you remember, Simmons played against Georgia in 2024. Dart was injured on the first drive of the game, which resulted in an interception. As Dart was getting checked out, Simmons marched the Rebels down the field for a touchdown. In the process, he completed five of six passes for 64 yards.

6. Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy may rank second in the SEC in rushing at 587 yards. However, he’s averaging 4.7 yards per carry, which is last among those in the SEC’s top 10. Lacy has totaled 126 rushing attempts, which is the most in the SEC.

7. While Georgia will have its hands full defending a mobile quarterback, slowing Lacy may not be as difficult. The Bulldogs rank sixth in the SEC by allowing 91.7 rushing yards per game. That number increased in large part due to Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold rushing for 55 of the Tigers’ 140 yards last Saturday.

8. This could be a big opportunity for Nate Frazier. With Chauncey Bowens playing through an injury, Frazier could see double-digit touches against the Rebels. Obviously, it will be imperative that Frazier doesn’t fumble. Ole Miss’ defense ranks 14th in the SEC by allowing 157.7 rushing yards per game.

9. Last week, I predicted a sack from Georgia’s defensive line in the first half against Auburn. Whoops. I won’t make that mistake again. At this point, we can’t believe it until we see it.

10. Instead of considering this a revenge game, think of it as a rubber match. Two years ago, Smart’s Bulldogs steamrolled Ole Miss 52-17. A year ago, Kiffin’s Rebels got even by beating Georgia 28-10. For now, this will be a deciding game between the two teams, although both squads will play again next year.

11. Look for Zachariah Branch to once again be a primary focus for Georgia in the passing game. The Rebels have been vulnerable to speedy wideouts, with Washington State’s Tony Freeman doing some damage a week ago. Freeman caught nine passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will likely use Branch in a similar manner.

12. For Georgia to generate explosive plays on offense, it has to be effective with play action. And in doing so, Noah Thomas has to be a bigger factor. It was good seeing Thomas catch a 30-yarder off a play-action pass to set up a Bowens touchdown.

13. To sell play-action, Georgia’s offensive line will need to get back on track in the run game. Considering how battered the group has been, the unit was admirable, with Monroe Freeling earning SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. But the Bulldogs only manage 79 rushing yards against the Tigers.

14. Smart made an interesting point earlier this week. In close games, Georgia’s physicality could prove advantageous.

15. Whenever you see a betting line move, you have to wonder if someone knows something the average person doesn’t. In what you’d think would be a close game decided by a field goal, the betting line opened with Georgia favored by 6.5 points. That line has already moved up a point to 7.5 points. Additionally, Scores and Odds reports that while 74 percent of the public bets are on Ole Miss to cover, 83 percent of the money has been placed on Georgia. There are some early sharps are loving the Bulldogs in this one.

ICYMI

Raylen Wilson is sharing the credit in punching the ball out against Auburn.

Everything Kiffin said about Georgia.

A healthy hamstring is making all the difference for CJ Allen.

Ellis Robinson IV is starting to find his groove.

Across the Ball: Three key matchups for Georgia-Ole Miss.