Georgia at Ole Miss: TV schedule, matchup, keys to victory

Colleen Thomas

Georgia at Ole Miss: TV schedule, matchup, keys to victory image

Both Georgia and Ole Miss have gotten off to shaky starts this season, but the Bulldogs have three wins while the Rebels are 1-2. Each team has a lot to prove based on its performance through the first three weeks, so Saturday's game might be where two teams diverge in a wood.

A win would give the Bulldogs serious credence in the SEC title race as they'd move to 4-0. A victory for Ole Miss would put them back on track for a nine- or 10-win season; a loss might just unravel the season.

MORE: Week 4 TV schedule | Week 4 bowl projections

Here's how to watch Georgia-Ole Miss, and the keys to victory for both teams.

Georgia at Ole Miss

When: Saturday, Sept. 24, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.
TV: ESPN
Online: WatchESPN.com

Georgia-Ole Miss all-time series

Georgia holds a 32-12-1 record in this lopsided series, including wins in the last 10 meetings. The two teams haven't played since 2012, when the Bulldogs came back from a 10-0 deficit to in 37-10. As for the Rebels, you'll have to go back two decades to find their last win: a 31-27 victory in 1996.

Numbers that matter

12

The Bulldogs have flown under the radar in the polls and upset alerts, seeing as they've won their first three games by a combined 12 points. The biggest win, surprisingly, was a 33-24 victory over then-No. 22 North Carolina in the season opener. Georgia then struggled against Nicholls State and relied on late rally and turnover to beat Missouri by a point last week. It'll be tough for the Bulldogs to keep squeaking by as the SEC schedule gets tougher.

343

Chad Kelly's been a gunslinger for Ole Miss this season, averaging 343 passing yards per game this season. Georgia's defense, which is giving up just 214 passing yards per game, is coming off a game where it let Missouri's Drew Lock pass for 376 yards. Kelly is a more experienced passer and leads the SEC with 10 passing touchdowns this season. The Bulldogs might be in trouble if Kelly gets on a roll.

14

Nick Chubb has posted 14 100-yard games in his 22-game career — including 13 straight until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2015 — and it's a good bet he'll rattle off several more 100-yard games. After a great start against the Tar Heels (222 yards), he didn't hit 100 in either of the last two games. He should bounce back against the Rebels' defense that gives up 247.7 rushing yards per game.

Social buzz

Kirby Smart didn't have a successful scheme the last two times he faced Ole Miss when he was Alabama's defensive coordinator. This time, he's got a well-rounded offense and a solid defense. Is third time the charm for Smart?

The big question

Will Ole Miss play spoiler? The Rebels are out of the College Football Playoff conversation, but they can still have a big hand in determining how the SEC plays out even if they blew their shot against Alabama. Ole Miss still has games against undefeated Georgia, Arkansas and Texas A&M and potential Alabama-party-crasher LSU on its schedule and can knock the Bulldogs a game back in the SEC East with an upset on Saturday.

Colleen Thomas

Colleen Thomas Photo

Colleen Thomas is an Associate Editor at Sporting News. She joined Sporting News in 2014.