The No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (7-1) are set to take on the No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels (7-2) in another crucial SEC matchup for Week 11. Despite a strong overall season, Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck still has plenty to prove after a shaky performance against the unranked Florida Gators. Doing so against one of the nation’s toughest defenses will present a significant challenge for the Bulldogs.
Ahead of this critical game, A to Z Sports’ Ole Miss beat writer, Travis May, breaks down three burning questions that will impact the matchup.
1. With Henry Parrish Jr. out, who should Georgia’s defense focus on?
Losing star rusher Henry Parrish Jr. certainly hurts Ole Miss’ ground game, but the Rebels have capable replacements. Domonique Thomas, who performed well against Arkansas last week, is expected to shoulder a larger load. He’s a powerful back, slightly bulkier than Parrish, with good balance and explosiveness. However, Ole Miss’ strength lies in its deep receiving corps, featuring four talented wideouts: Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins (who caught five touchdowns last week), Cayden Lee, and Juice Wells. Georgia’s defense will need to account for this dynamic group, especially as Ole Miss can exploit mismatches through the air.
2. Despite Ole Miss’ strong defense, what is a potential weak spot Georgia could exploit?
While Ole Miss boasts one of the most formidable defenses in the country—leading the nation in sacks (over 40) and pass rush pressures (over 200)—they have a vulnerability in the secondary. Despite ranking in the top five against the run and limiting overall yardage, the Rebels struggle with giving up big pass plays. Their corners are prone to missed tackles in space, leading to significant yards after catch. Georgia could capitalize by targeting quick, short routes or screen passes, putting pressure on Ole Miss’ defense to tackle in open space and potentially breaking off some big plays.
3. What makes Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart so dangerous?
Jaxson Dart is a threat, especially when facing blitzes. He averages more than 14 yards per attempt when opponents bring pressure, thanks to his rapid decision-making and mastery of run-pass options (RPOs) and play-action plays. Dart’s quick diagnosis of defensive schemes forces opposing defenses into uncomfortable spots, often leading to blown coverages. For Georgia’s defense to contain Dart, they will need to generate pressure with only four rushers while disguising their coverages to confuse him. If Dart isn’t forced to make mistakes, he has the potential to make things look easy for Ole Miss.
As Georgia heads into a challenging road game against Ole Miss, their success will depend on exploiting these vulnerabilities while also managing the growing pressure on quarterback Carson Beck.
