Georgia Bulldogs vs Ole Miss Rebels Prediction, Odds and Picks for Thursday, 01/01/26

The College Football Playoffs have several enticing matchups including the rematch of the Ole Miss Rebels and Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. While these squads combined for 78 points in the first matchup, I don’t expect the same offensive fireworks in a do-or-die spot like the playoffs. While Ole Miss looked like a well-oiled machine against Group of 5 side Tulane in round one, it’s tough to say coaching won’t be a factor as the Rebels go deeper into the playoffs without Lane Kiffin on the sideline. The stakes are as high as they come, and Georgia has likely the most experienced head coach in the country when it comes to the CFB Playoff format with Kirby Smart lining up on the opposite sideline.

Both Ole Miss and Georgia are 4-1 to the under in their last five games this season, mostly due to improved defensive play. Georgia has allowed a whopping 8 points per game throughout that stretch while Ole Miss holds a solid top-20 mark in EPA/dropback defensively and a top-35 defensive success rate figure. As the favorite and more experience team, I expect Georgia’s offense to control the pace of this game, a unit that ranks 115th in FBS in plays per second. The Bulldogs will want to slow the tempo compared to the first meeting, and I’ll take the under in the Sugar Bowl matchup.

Ole Miss vs Georgia prediction: Under 56.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.