ESPN’s Heather Dinich details what’s at stake for Georgia and Ole Miss in seismic Week 8 showdown

No. 9 Georgia hosts No. 5 Ole Miss in a blockbuster matchup in the SEC this Saturday. Despite the Rebels entering the showdown undefeated, the Bulldogs are favored at home.

That’s a testament to their dominance over the past couple of seasons. Ahead of the SEC clash, ESPN’s Heather Dinich and Jordan Rodgers shared their perspectives on what’s at stake and what could decide the outcome during an appearance on Friday’s edition of Get Up.

First, Dinich emphasized the importance of this stretch for Lane Kiffin’s Rebels, who face a couple of brutal road tests. On the other hand, if Georgia falters, the Bulldogs could find themselves on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff when the time comes.

“For Ole Miss, this is the start of back-to-back road games,” Dinich said. “They’ve got this one, then they’re at Oklahoma. They cannot go 0–2 these two weeks, because even though they could finish with a 10–2 record, I’m telling you, there’s the potential for a lot of really good 10–2 teams — and Ole Miss would not be a lock for the playoff.

“For Georgia, they really need to avoid a loss, because if they did lose, that would put them under tremendous pressure to then beat a Texas team that’s playing much better, and a Georgia Tech team that, Greenie, in case your audience isn’t aware, could be playing for the ACC title this year.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers turned his attention to the on-field factors that could swing the game. He identified Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy as the keys to pulling the upset.

“I think it’s two things for Ole Miss,” Rodgers said. “The first is Trinidad Chambliss — his ability to make explosive plays happen downfield. And as Harry would say, ‘That boy bad.’ Last week, he was kind of just bad against Washington State. He was 1-4 on throws of 20-plus yards downfield. When Lane Kiffin dials it up, he has to hit it against this defense.

“And then in the red zone, Georgia’s top five. Kewan Lacy, the running back, he’s unheralded. I think he’s been overlooked. He’s second in the SEC in rushing yards — he’s really good. They’re going to have to run the football with Trinidad and him in the red zone to get this one done.”

All told, the Rebels are aiming to make history, seeking their first back-to-back wins over Georgia in more than 30 years. Ole Miss topped the Bulldogs 28–10 in Oxford last season, but Georgia still holds a commanding 33–13–1 edge in the all-time series and has gone 8–2 against the Rebels since 2000.

Kickoff between the Bulldogs and Rebels is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The SEC spotlight will shine on Athens for one of this weekend’s premier matchups, and it’ll be paramount for both teams to escape with a win in the showdown.

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