News Summary
The No. 5 Ole Miss football team is gearing up to face No. 9 Georgia at Sanford Stadium, aiming for a crucial playoff position. After a disappointing loss to Georgia last year, Ole Miss has improved its defense and seeks to maintain its undefeated status in the SEC. This matchup carries significant implications for their playoff hopes as they battle against Georgia’s effective rushing offense and strong defense.
OXFORD — No. 5 Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0 SEC) is set to face off against No. 9 Georgia (5-1, 3-1) this Saturday, October 21, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Sanford Stadium. This SEC clash will be broadcasted on ABC and carries significant playoff implications for Ole Miss, which aims to clinch a playoff spot with a victory in Athens.
The upcoming game marks the continuation of a series that saw Ole Miss last compete against Georgia just a year prior, in October 2023, where they faced a disappointing defeat, losing 52-17. In that matchup, Georgia demonstrated its offensive prowess, amassing 611 total yards, including an eye-watering 300 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Following that loss, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and defensive coordinator Pete Golding recognized the need for improvement on the defensive front. They actively sought elite defensive players through the transfer portal, and the effort paid off. In their 2024 matchup, Ole Miss achieved a dramatic turnaround, defeating Georgia 28-10 at home. During this game, Georgia was held to just 245 total offensive yards, with a mere 59 rushing yards, averaging only 1.8 yards per carry.
Heading into the current 2025 season, Georgia is averaging 185.5 rushing yards per game, down from 191.2 in 2023. Rushing plays have made up approximately 45% of their offensive yardage thus far this season. However, Ole Miss’s run defense has proven to be inconsistent, beginning the season by allowing 190.5 rushing yards per game. Fortunately, they have shown improvement, allowing only 92 yards per game over the past two contests, bringing their overall average to 157.7 yards. Currently, this ranks them tied for 95th nationally.
Despite recent improvements, Ole Miss struggled in their last game, permitting Washington State to rush for 127 yards, despite the Cougars averaging about 78 yards per game on the ground. Ole Miss has allowed 28 rushes of at least 10 yards this season, tying them for 74th nationally, while Georgia has 33 such runs, placing them tied for 49th. A significant portion of Georgia’s rushing offense comes from tight end runs, accounting for approximately 48% of their total rushing yardage, amounting to 542 yards out of 1,140 rushing yards this season. Georgia has also scored nine rushing touchdowns from these plays.
On the other hand, Ole Miss’s defense has encountered issues in tackling, missing 26 tackles in the run game over the season. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton has emerged as a dual-threat, recording 242 rushing yards, including 96 yards from scrambles, with nine runs of at least 10 yards this season. In their last meeting, Georgia had significant success exploiting Ole Miss’s run defense, gaining 146 of their 300 rushing yards by averaging nearly 12.2 yards per carry on runs at the middle.
This season, Ole Miss has experienced considerable offensive success, averaging 38 points and amassing 515 total yards per game, ranking them among the top teams in the SEC. In contrast, Georgia’s defense has been notably effective, allowing just 17 points per game and 307 total yards, which includes 92 rushing yards and just 2.9 yards per carry. Georgia’s sole loss this season has been to a conference opponent, emphasizing their dominance in home games.
Adding more pressure, Ole Miss has not secured a road victory against a ranked SEC opponent since 2017, with Lane Kiffin holding a record of 0-7 in such games. This upcoming clash is not only crucial for maintaining Ole Miss’s undefeated streak but also pivotal for their hopes in the playoff race.
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Additional Resources
- NCAA Live Updates
- Georgia Bulldogs Official Site
- UGA Wire
- The Rebel Walk
- Online Athens
- Wikipedia: College Football
- Google Search: OLE MISS VS GEORGIA 2025
- Google Scholar: OLE MISS GEORGIA Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Google News: OLE MISS GEORGIA Football
Author: STAFF HERE OXFORD WRITER
The OXFORD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOxford.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Oxford, Lafayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Oxford Film Festival, Double Decker Arts Festival, and University of Mississippi football games. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Mississippi, plus leading businesses in education and retail that power the local economy such as Ole Miss Athletics and Square Books. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
