The Ole Miss Rebels (8-2, 4-2 SEC) beat the Georgia Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2 SEC) on Saturday 28-10, leaving Georgia with their second loss of the season. 

The Dawgs started the game about as perfect as a team can. Georgia’s defense opened the first drive with a tackle for loss, sack, and then an interception by Senior Dan Jackson. Carson Beck and the Georgia offense took advantage of the short field, driving it 21 yards in seven plays and finding the endzone after a Nate Frazier run. 

Then, everything went downhill. The Dawgs punted on their next four drives. Ole Miss, meanwhile, scored on their next four. Quarterback Jaxson Dart left the game early, but backup Austin Simmons took it down the field and put Ole Miss on the board with a score of 7-7. Dart returned and shredded the Georgia defense, resulting in three consecutive Rebel field goals. The first half ended 16-7. 

In the opening drive of the second half, Georgia drove the ball 70 yards only to be stopped in the red zone, and a Peyton Woodring field goal made it 16-10. The rest of the scoring happened in Rebel territory  as Dart found receiver Antwane Wells Jr. to make it 22-10. Georgia’s next four and, ultimately, final possessions ended in turnovers, two via Nate Frazier fumbles and the other two on downs. Two fourth quarter Ole Miss field goals led to the 28-10 final. 

It was an awful performance all around from Georgia who struggled to find consistency anywhere. Carson Beck was improved from his previous performances, but he and his receivers inability to find explosive plays continued. In the rushing game, the Ole Miss’ front seven held Georgia at only 1.8 yards a carry. No offensive player for Georgia tallied more than fifty yards, and only once did Georgia have a play of 20+ yards in the entire game.

Fans have taken to social media to criticize offensive coordinator Mike Bobo for lack of quality playcalling. Some criticize Carson Beck and call for his benching. Regardless of who you decide to blame, most fans agree that Georgia is nowhere near the standard of the 2021/22 Georgia football teams, and changes need to be made in the coming weeks to curb the offensive inconsistencies. 

After the game, Kirby Smart remained calm and praised Ole Miss for their efforts: “I told my team during the week I thought [Ole Miss] was the most talented team we’d played. They really should be undefeated. I know people think that’s not true but they outplayed us tonight, outcoached us and did a great job.”

Georgia’s hopes for the SEC and National Championships are not completely crushed, however, as many two loss teams will fight to make it in the 12 team playoff at the end of the season. But Georgia now must face Tennessee and Georgia Tech who will both be looking to hand them their third loss. Kickoff against the Vols will be at 7:30 P.M. on ABC.