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Georgia Has to End the Drives Ole Miss Keeps Extending

Ole Miss required 17 plays and nearly seven minutes to attain its first touchdown against Auburn. Ole Miss scored the next touchdown in 14 plays and covered 86 yards. Georgia’s defense will enter Oxford with the understanding that the Ole Miss offense is capable of reaching the end zone without relying exclusively on spectacular plays.

This understanding matters because preventing long gains is only part of the overall defensive strategy. In their October 31 victory over Auburn, the Rebels converted 13 of 16 third downs. Georgia must turn manageable defensive situations into stops, rather than letting drives continue by conceding additional downs.

The opening touchdown drive extended for 6:59, effectively bridging the first and second quarters. Ole Miss later executed touchdown possessions that spanned eight and 11 plays, culminating in another nine-play scoring drive. While the 45-15 final score included quick strikes, sustained efforts warrant serious consideration before tonight’s 7:30 PM Eastern kickoff at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

These offensive possessions illustrate Ole Miss’s capabilities; however, they do not necessarily predict how Georgia will approach the defense. Success on third down depends on the yardage required, and a conversion percentage alone does not fully explain whether an offense repeatedly eluded difficult situations or simply benefited from advantageous circumstances on prior downs.

This evaluation should form the foundation for Georgia’s approach. A short completion that is promptly tackled may afford the defense a beneficial subsequent down. In contrast, a completion followed by substantial yardage can maintain the offense’s options or help move the chains. How the tackle is executed matters, as it determines whether sound coverage has improved the defense’s positioning.

Kirby Smart emphasized the need for fundamental execution in his assessment of Ole Miss on November 2. He outlined the need to tackle receivers effectively, limit yards after the catch, and successfully finish plays on third down. His analysis clearly indicated that no single defensive strategy could rectify the complexities of this matchup.

For Georgia’s defensive backs and linebackers, the key challenge lies in executing consistently throughout each possession. While recognizing routes and positioning near the receiver are essential, it is vital to complete the tackle accurately to keep modest gains from becoming first downs.

Coaching decisions become increasingly nuanced as a drive continues. Substitutions must be strategically managed to ensure the defense is prepared for subsequent formations and assignments. While applying pressure may end a possession, it may also shift coverage dynamics. These decisions necessitate careful evaluation based on situational context rather than default answers when drives exceed ten plays.

Ole Miss recorded 84 offensive plays against Auburn. Georgia should view this figure as a reminder of the challenges posed by extended possessions, not a forecast of tonight’s workload. Each successful third-down stop significantly reduces the chance of additional snaps on that drive.

The Bulldogs do not need to prohibit every completion to mount an effective defense against this offense. However, they must maintain control over the ramifications of those completions. In Oxford, a telling sequence may involve a standard catch, a prompt tackle, and a crucial third-down stop that ultimately sends the Ole Miss offense to the sidelines.

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