Kirby Smart (HC) –  Coach Smart’s Bulldogs return to New Orleans for the second straight season as SEC champions. The Sugar Bowl is where Georgia’s season ended last year, but Smart’s program has come a long way since that heartbreaking loss to Notre Dame. There will be some familiarity in this game, as both Smart and the Rebels’ new head coach, Pete Golding, coached together at Alabama under Nick Saban.

Gunner Stockton (QB #14) – After his three-touchdown performance against the Tide a few weeks ago, the SEC Championship MVP will once again start under center for the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. Stockton played his best game of the season when these two teams faced off in October, with over 300 yards of offense and five total touchdowns.

Zachariah Branch (WR #1) – Branch continues to be the top receiver for the Georgia offense. His fifth touchdown of the season sealed the victory against Alabama in the SEC Championship. Keep an eye on Branch to get plenty of volume against a vulnerable Rebels defense and have a huge game once again on the national stage.

Nate Frazier (RB #3) – Frazier’s stock has skyrocketed since the early days of the season and has become the Bulldogs’ top running back. He has four touchdowns in his last five games, along with multiple 100-yard rushing games. The sophomore had a season-high 17 carries the last time the Bulldogs played the Rebels, so look for Frazier to see a lot of action against an Ole Miss defense that gives up nearly 150 rushing yards per game.

Dillon Bell (WR #86) – Bell has had an inconsistent season, but he seems to step up for Georgia in critical moments. Against Alabama in the SEC Championship, he scored a touchdown and was second on the team in receptions and yards. We should expect this senior to lay it all on the line for the Bulldogs in what could be his final collegiate game.

Ellis Robinson IV (DB #1) – The redshirt freshman has held opposing receivers to low numbers over the past few weeks and has an interception in two of his last three games. The Rebels have plenty of receivers with explosive abilities, so Robinson IV and the defensive backs will need to keep up their recent success to limit the Rebels’ offense.

Chris Cole (LB #9) – Though Georgia defeated the Rebels in October, the Bulldogs were unable to sack Trinidad Chambliss. As the team’s sack leader with 4.5 on the season, Cole is one of many Georgia players who have progressed throughout the year. Watch for him to put significant pressure on Chambliss and get Ole Miss out of rhythm.

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In Georgia’s first Sugar Bowl appearance on January 1, 1947, the undefeated Southeastern Conference champion Bulldogs defeated North Carolina 20-10 to finish the year 11-0.

Led by freshman sensation Herschel Walker, Georgia beat Notre Dame 17-10 on New Year’s Day, 1981, to capture the 1980 National Championship with a perfect 12-0 record.

The Bulldogs of 2002 won the program’s first Southeastern Conference title and made its first Sugar Bowl appearance in 20 years, topping Florida State 26-13 to finish the season 13-1.