The biggest change since the week started is on Georgia's receiver room, and it's good news for the Bulldogs. Isiah Canion is off the availability report entirely and expected to return, and Thomas Blackshear got upgraded to probable on Friday after 2 straight questionable tags. Running back Chauncey Bowens is probable too, though he hasn't played since the Vanderbilt game. The bill comes due on defense: defensive back Tyriq Green, outside linebacker Amaris Williams, linebacker AJ Kruah and defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye are all out, and tight end Elyiss Williams is questionable. The Bulldogs' moneyline has steamed since it opened, and the receiver news fits that move.
Georgia's defense has still been the story more than its offense. Against Florida, the Bulldogs forced 4 turnovers, Chris Cole returned a fumble 66 yards for a touchdown, and the Gators managed 8 points. That was Smart's 6th straight win in the rivalry. The question tonight is whether a front seven missing 3 bodies can do the same thing to a Rebels offense that just hung 45 on Auburn.
Ole Miss has been either very good or not close this year. The Rebels beat Vanderbilt 52-17 and Missouri 31-3 and scored the final 28 points against Auburn. They also gave up 52 at Florida, the same Florida team Georgia just held to 8, and lost 34-27 at Texas. That gap is the question for Saturday. Which version of the Rebels defense shows up against an offense that wants to play fast, now with its top receivers back?
Georgia's resume has more weight behind it but less margin than the 7-1 record suggests. The Bulldogs beat Alabama 20-17 on the road and lost 27-24 at home to Auburn, which Ole Miss just beat by 30. When Georgia hasn't won the turnover battle, games have stayed close. Chambliss summed up his side of it: 'It's going to come down to whatever team makes the least amount of mistakes.' That's not much of an insight, but against this defense it's true. Deuce Alexander had 2 notable drops against Auburn, and a Georgia team that lives on takeaways punishes any extra possession.
Thomas, who led the Rebels with 8 tackles and forced a key fumble against Auburn, called last season's Sugar Bowl meeting a 'dogfight.' The forecast for Oxford is 48 degrees and clear with 6 mph of wind, so weather won't decide anything. Ball security might. A win puts Georgia at 8-1 and keeps it in the SEC and playoff race. A home win keeps Ole Miss on its own path to the College Football Playoff. A loss gives the Rebels a third, and then the path depends on other people.
