The best quarterfinal of theCollege Football Playoffmight be saved for last It's a rematch of one of the better games of the regular season whenGeorgia rallied past Mississippi 43-35in the lone loss of the season for the Rebels.
Both quarterbacks shined in the game with Gunner Stockton throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns in a winning effort. The Rebels got 263 yards passing from Trinidad Chambliss, who led five consecutive touchdown drives to start the game. ButOle Missdidn't score the rest of the game and theBulldogsprevailed on their way to anotherSECtitle.
Now the two teams meet nearly 10 weeks later with both looking very different. Mississippi sawLane Kiffin leave for LSUand the promotion of defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Some of the the coaches that are following Kiffin remain to help assist Golding, but how they mesh against the challenge of the improvedGeorgiadefense will be critical. The Bulldogs held Texas,Georgia Techand Alabama to a combined 26 points in their last three games against Power Four opponents.
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The matchup promises to be an intriguing rematch with a place in the semifinals on the line. Who will advance? Our expects make their forecasts for the winner.
Georgia vs. Mississippi predictions for Sugar Bowl
The Ole Miss run game in October consisted of QB Trinidad Chambliss and hidden yardage on scrambles. Georgia will contain Chambliss' escape, setting up unmanageable down and distance where the pass rush will take over. And Dawgs QB Gunner Stockton will continue his late-season pass game surge.Georgia 24, Mississippi 23.
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Jordan Mendoza
This might be the most fun matchup of the entire quarterfinal. Fireworks should be going off just like the first meeting these two had. Unfortunately for the Rebels, it ends in the same result with the Bulldogs making the key fourth quarter plays to prevail.Georgia 37, Mississippi 31.
Paul Myerberg
Georgia has made noticeable gains on defense since beating Ole Miss in October. While the Rebels looked good against Tulane, the Bulldogs have rounded into form as a complete team on both sides after a sluggish start. The Rebels have to hope for an edge in the turnover battle to score the upset.Georgia 31, Mississippi 21.
Erick Smith
After 78 points were scored in the first game between these teams, look for the defenses to make some adjustments to slow this game down. But with Georgia having the advantage on that side of the ball and questions about how the Ole Miss offense will function without Lane Kiffin, expect the Bulldogs to repeat its win from October.Georgia 30, Mississippi 20.
Eddie Timanus
The Rebels win in a rematch against Tulane in the first round was basically a rerun. Unfortunately for Ole Miss, this second matchup against Georgia will follow the same script as well as the Bulldogs march on to the Fiesta Bowl.Georgia 35, Mississippi 27.
Blake Toppmeyer
Trinidad Chambliss might need to have the game of his life for Ole Miss to spring an upset. And even if he does, the Rebels' defense can be a liability. That showed when these teams met in the regular season.Georgia 34, Mississippi 28.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Georgia vs Ole Miss prediction for Sugar Bowl in CFP quarterfinal
