A big time SEC Showdown takes place today down in “The Grove” as the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Mississippi Rebels.
There are some serious win streaks are on the line this weekend, including Georgia’s 20-year win streak over Ole Miss. The Bulldogs have not dropped a game against the Rebels since Bill Clinton’s second term in office. The two SEC teams have met 10 times over that two-decade stretch, and the 1996 meeting was the last time Ole Miss managed to make the Bulldogs “Sit,” “Roll Over,” and “Play Dead.” Both teams are coming into this game with a must-win mentality.
Although Georgia is 3-0, they have struggled in all three games, barely getting away from Nicholls State and Missouri. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Florida State and Alabama, and cannot afford to go to 1-3. Here are three things to watch for today’s game:
1. Georgia Needs A Balanced Attack
The Bulldogs are coming into Saturday’s game with a solid running game. Their star tailback Nick Chubb managed to run for 222 yards against UNC in Week 1. If Ole Miss wants to keep Georgia in check, they’ll need to keep track of the 5’10” junior and stop him every chance they get. Another running back to watch will be Sony Michel. The 5’11” junior is coming off of injury, but is a huge part of Georgia’s run game. Starting quarterback Jacob Eason, a freshman quarterback, has thrown for 643 yards and five touchdowns in the first two games of his college career. It will be key for the Bulldogs to keep a balanced offense to not put too much pressure on the albeit highly touted player.
2. The Rebel Defense Needs to Show Up for 60 Minutes
The strong Rebel defense will be looking to make Chubb’s and Eason’s jobs as difficult as possible. The question is can it be done for 60 minutes. In each of their games against Florida State and Alabama, the defense would be lights out for one half, and then become a JV unit the next. With the amount of talent that the Rebels defense has, including Marcus Haynes, Isaac Gross, and D.J. Jones, one has to wonder if this is the week that they can keep it together without imploding.
3. Chad Kelly Must Play Smart
Mississippi quarterback Chad Kelly has what many in the college football world call a “hose of an arm.” He threw for 421 yards against Alabama in Week 3, and if he can do that again this week, Georgia will have their work cut out for them. However, for all the talent that Kelly possesses, his decision making can be downright maddening, making unwarranted mistakes that can turn the tide at any given moment. The Rebel coaching staff must reign in Kelly and keep him within the game plan, or else disaster lurks at any given moment.