Georgia's Path After Auburn Loss: Ole Miss Leads the List, Florida Comes First

Georgia used its open week to regroup after losing its unbeaten record, and the schedule ahead leaves little room for another slip. Matt DeBary of Georgia Bulldogs On SI, in a piece also carried by Yahoo Sports, ranks the Bulldogs' four remaining SEC games. The trip to No. 7 Ole Miss tops his list. South Carolina in Columbia is second, Florida in Atlanta third and Missouri in Athens fourth.

The loss that changed things came on Oct. 17. Auburn kicker Alex McPherson made a 34-yard field goal at the gun for a 27-24 win at Sanford Stadium. According to University of Georgia Athletics, it was the program's first home loss to an unranked opponent since 2019, and it ended a nine-game winning streak against the Tigers. Georgia had been No. 1 a week earlier. Gunner Stockton threw two interceptions and lost a fumble late, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Kirby Smart later said the quarterback took a shoulder stinger on the first play, not a head injury. "He has not had any concussion symptoms," Smart said, as reported by ClutchPoints.

DeBary's case for Ole Miss starts with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who hurt Georgia in last season's playoff loss and has 1,676 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes and six rushing scores this year. Running back Kewan Lacy is also back. Ole Miss has a weakness, though: SI ranks its defense last in the SEC in total yards allowed. DeBary puts South Carolina second because of LaNorris Sellers and a running game that leads the league at 232 yards per game. He expects Missouri, led by Austin Simmons, to be the most manageable of the four, since the game is in Athens.

What it means for Florida

The first test is No. 20 Florida on Oct. 31 on ABC, the first time the rivalry has been played in Atlanta. Georgia is 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. The full-season numbers still look strong: the Bulldogs have scored 301 points and allowed 111, about 43 to 16 per game. The recent trend is weaker. Georgia averaged more than 51 points over its first five games, then scored 20 in the win at Alabama and 24 against Auburn. Both of those games were decided by three points.

Florida is 5-2. The Gators beat Ole Miss at home and Auburn on the road, lost badly to South Carolina and Missouri, and then won at Texas last week. SI reports that Tramel Jones replaced starter Aaron Philo in that game, so Florida's quarterback situation is unsettled. Florida's offense runs through running back Jadan Baugh. SI ranks the Gators 13th in the SEC in total defense and second-to-last against the pass.

That pass defense gives Georgia a chance to get its offense going again, as long as Stockton's shoulder holds up and the turnovers stop. DeBary expects the extra week of preparation to help Georgia. A loss would put a second blemish on the record before November road trips to Oxford and Columbia. For more on the season, see the Georgia team page.