#5 Ole Miss vs #9 Georgia Prediction, Betting Odds, and Our Best Bet

The No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels travel to Athens this afternoon to take on the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs in a heavyweight SEC clash with some serious postseason implications. The kickoff is set for 2:30 PM CT, and ESPN’s College GameDay will be in town to set the stage for one of the biggest games of the season.

Ole Miss is coming in at a perfect 6-0 and 3-0 in the SEC, while Georgia sits at 5-1 and 3-1 in the SEC, and is trying to keep pace in the conference after a rare home loss earlier this season.

Game Details and Betting Odds

This matchup is more than just a battle of ranked teams — it’s more of a measuring stick. Georgia opens as a 7-point favorite, with the over/under set at 58.5. The Bulldogs are listed at -270 on the moneyline, while the Rebels offer a bit of value at +220 if you’re backing the road upset.

Georgia’s usually dominant home field isn’t as invincible as it once was. The Bulldogs had a 33-game home winning streak snapped just a few weeks ago in a 24-21 loss to Alabama. That was their first home loss since 2019. That crack in the armor adds even more intrigue heading into today’s big game.

Why Ole Miss Can Win

There’s no denying that the Rebels are coming in red hot. They’ve already notched 6 wins, including 4 straight against SEC competition. QB Trinidad Chambliss has been the biggest catalyst as he’s throwing for 1,286 yards, 7 TDs, and only 1 interception, while also rushing for nearly 300 yards and adding 3 more TDs on the ground. His ability to create on the ground and throw with efficiency gives Ole Miss one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country and makes him a nightmare for defenses.

Head coach Lane Kiffin called this matchup an “elite opportunity,” and it’s clear Ole Miss sees this game as a chance to prove they’re more than just a good story, but instead they’re ready for the playoffs. They already knocked off Georgia last season in a 28-10 win at home, however, winning in Athens would make a much louder statement. Not too many teams can stake a claim to that.

RB Kewan Lacy has come out as a workhorse for Ole Miss, posting 587 rushing yards on 126 carries with 8 TDs. He made a splash against Washington State for 142 yards last week, showing he’s more than ready to handle Georgia’s physical defense. Lacy’s quick acceleration and ability to break tackles give him a shot at pushing the Rebels’ ground game 150+ yards. This would be a massive accomplishment against this Georgia front.

On the outside, senior Harrison Wallace III leads the Rebels in receiving with 361 yards and 2 touchdowns, which ultimately gives Chambliss a reliable deep target. The Ole Miss offense ranks 7th nationally in passing yards with 311 per game and 13th in rushing with 204.3, combining for over 515 yards of total offense per game.

This is a team that thrives on tempo and pace, and they’re averaging 37.8 PPG, good for 32nd in the country. They’re undoubtedly hot, but is this enough against Georgia? It might be, after all, they put a beat down on #4 LSU just a few weeks ago.

Why Georgia Can Win

Georgia isn’t about flash, but that’s what they’re known for. They win with discipline, physicality, and execution. They’ve allowed just 17.0 PPG and only 307.2 total yards, including just 91.7 rushing YPG, which ranks among the top 25 in the country. That defense, anchored by junior CJ Allen, who leads the team with 46 tackles and 3 sacks, is going to be tested by Chambliss and Lacy, but Georgia prides itself on rising to the challenge.

Offensively, QB Gunner Stockton has put together a fairly solid season with 1,264 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and only 1 pick. He’s not nearly as flashy as some of the other QBs around CFB, but he’s accurate and has command of the system. He’s also added nearly 50 carries, making him a sneaky runner when plays break down.

Georgia’s offense has leaned on a committee approach in the backfield, with Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier splitting time. Bowens has 315 rushing yards and 4 TDs on 60 carries, but he’s dealing with a lingering calf issue that might limit him again this week. His availability will be worth monitoring because Frazier hasn’t been as effective in recent games.

On defense, Georgia has a far better statistical profile. They’ve allowed fewer points and fewer total yards than Ole Miss, but it’s worth noting that the Rebels’ defense has also stepped up, giving up just 19.2 PPG and forcing 3 interceptions. They’re better than people think.

Time of possession may play a big role in this game. Georgia averages 32:23 per game, while Ole Miss sits under 29 minutes. If Georgia can sustain long, physical drives and keep Chambliss on the sideline, it will tilt the game in their favor.

Still, their recent loss at home to Alabama exposed some cracks, and it’s clear this year’s Georgia team doesn’t have quite the same stranglehold on other SEC powerhouses that it did during its back-to-back national title runs.

Prediction and Our Pick

Up front, this is going to be a physical game with both teams trading momentum. Georgia is still a strong team, but this is not the same juggernaut from the last 2 seasons. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has one of the most balanced and explosive offenses in the country, and Chambliss is a problem most defenses haven’t solved. On top of that, they’ve been challenged by a strong contender and won convincingly.

If the Rebels can get Lacy going and Chambliss stays clean with the football, they’ve got a real shot to pull the upset. And let’s not forget that Ole Miss already beat Georgia last year. The location makes it tougher, of course, but this Rebels team is built to win big games, and Georgia isn’t undefeated on their home turf anymore.

• Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Georgia 27
• Best Bet: Ole Miss moneyline at +220

We’re sure there’s going to be some die-hard SEC fans who disagree with us on this, but there’s plenty of value here, and in the end, we’re all about making bold predictions on some of the best bets. The Rebels have the better offense and a quarterback who can change the game on his own. Georgia’s defense is good, but they haven’t faced a duo quite like Chambliss and Lacy yet.