Georgia @ Mississippi preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2007 ) Mississippi 17, Georgia 45

THE STORY: Last week Georgia shook off two tough losses to ranked teams, rolling to a blowout victory. The Bulldogs now look to gain their first SEC victory of the season Saturday when they visit Ole Miss. Georgia scored touchdowns on all five of its first-half possessions in a 59-0 victory against overmatched Coastal Carolina, after falling to Boise State and South Carolina to start the season.

Ole Miss also is winless in the SEC, following an ugly 30-7 loss at Vanderbilt in which the Commodores picked off quarterback Zack Stoudt five times. Ole Miss trailed 21-0 at halftime, didn’t score until late in the fourth quarter and allowed 281 yards rushing.

Georgia leads the series 30-12-1 and has won the past seven meetings, dating back to 1997.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: Ole Miss +9.5.

ABOUT GEORGIA (1-2, 0-1 SEC): Despite two losses in their first three games, the Bulldogs have displayed plenty of weapons on offense. Sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray has passed for seven touchdowns in the past two games, and freshman running back Isaiah Crowell averages 88 yards on the ground. Georgia ranks 19th in FBS in scoring (40.7 points per game), and the Bulldogs’ defense sits 30th in yards allowed per game at 299.

ABOUT OLE MISS (1-2, 0-1 SEC): Even in its lone victory, a 42-24 victory over Southern Illinois on Sept. 10, the Rebels’ defense struggled. Ole Miss gave up 420 yards of total offense in that game, and allowed 387 yards last week against Vanderbilt. The Rebels rank 99th in FBS in rushing defense. The offense has sputtered through the first three games: running back Jeff Scott scored three touchdowns and gained 118 yards against Southern Illinois, but finished with just 43 yards against Vanderbilt.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Georgia punter Drew Butler ranks first all-time in the SEC in punting average at 46.0 yards per punt.

2. Ole Miss leads the SEC and ranks third in the nation in punt return average at 30 yards per return.

3. Georgia’s Brandon Boykin ranks third in the SEC in all-purpose yards per game at 150.

PREDICTION: Georgia 34, Ole Miss 14 – The Bulldogs will exploit the Ole Miss defense in a game that won’t be as close as the final score indicates.