UPDATE: The No. 5 Mississippi Rebels suffered a devastating loss to the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs on October 14, 2023, in Athens, Georgia, with a final score of 43-35. This defeat marks a significant setback for Lane Kiffin’s team, which was poised for a major victory.
Mississippi entered the fourth quarter with a nine-point lead, having scored on their first five possessions. However, the Rebels fell apart, conceding 17 unanswered points in the final quarter. Kiffin expressed his disappointment, stating, “I told my guys this is exactly what you want. Going into the fourth quarter, you are up two scores at Georgia, the chance to beat Georgia two years in a row. Unfortunately, we did not do things, did not function on offense after five drives and five touchdowns.”
The Rebels, now 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference, face a daunting challenge ahead. Their hopes for the SEC championship and College Football Playoff remain alive, but the loss underscores the difficulties they must overcome. Ole Miss is now 0-4 in road games against top-10 opponents under Kiffin, losing a crucial opportunity to secure a landmark victory.
Georgia, improving to 6-1 and 4-1 in the SEC, showcased a potent offense, racking up 510 total yards and scoring on every possession except the kneeldowns. The Bulldogs executed a critical nine-play, 67-yard touchdown drive to take the lead, followed by a 10-play, 66-yard field goal drive that consumed more than four minutes of clock, effectively sealing the Rebels’ fate.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who had enjoyed a strong start to his tenure, struggled in the fourth quarter. After completing 18 of 26 passes for 262 yards, he faltered, finishing the final quarter just 1 of 10. Ole Miss managed only 13 yards on their last 11 offensive snaps, going three-and-out during critical possessions. Chambliss acknowledged his shortcomings, stating, “I just have to be better. I missed some throws that were crucial. I just have to be better in the fourth quarter.”
The Rebels will look to regroup as they prepare for their next challenge against No. 14 Oklahoma next week, where another Top 25 matchup awaits. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Kiffin’s squad responds after this tough defeat.
Stay tuned for further updates on the AP Top 25 and Ole Miss’s journey through the remainder of the season.
