Ole Miss can borrow Auburn’s Georgia upset formula

No. 10 Ole Miss hosts No. 2 Georgia on Saturday in Oxford with a recent blueprint available: Auburn’s upset of the then-No. 1 Bulldogs in Athens. Auburn won with a clean turnover ledger, successful fourth-down decisions and a balanced offense.

The largest swing was Auburn’s plus-3 turnover margin. Georgia lost a fumble, and quarterback Gunner Stockton threw two interceptions. Auburn protected the ball throughout the game.

Repeating that advantage will be difficult because Ole Miss has produced 12 takeaways and committed 12 turnovers this season, while Georgia ranks 15th nationally with a plus-0.75 turnover margin. The Bulldogs have nine turnovers this year, including only six across their seven games other than the Auburn loss.

That makes even one extra possession potentially significant for the Rebels. Ole Miss cannot expect Georgia to hand over the ball three times, so Pete Golding’s fourth-down choices could become another route to extending drives.

Auburn converted both of its fourth-down attempts against Georgia. Ole Miss is 5-for-9 on fourth down this season, meaning Golding may need to choose his spots carefully while trying to keep the Bulldogs’ defense on the field.

Auburn also avoided becoming one-dimensional by rushing for 192 yards and passing for 174, with mobile quarterback Byrum Brown leading both parts of the attack.

Trinidad Chambliss gives Ole Miss a chance to apply a similar approach with his ability to create while handling the football. Chambliss will need to generate offense with help from an extra possession or two created by the defense. Golding will also need to take calculated risks when the opportunity arrives.

Why it matters

A win would improve Ole Miss’ position in the SEC standings and strengthen its College Football Playoff chances. Georgia enters with the same stakes.

What to watch next

No. 10 Ole Miss hosts No. 2 Georgia on Saturday in Oxford.