Mississippi Rebels vs Georgia Southern Eagles Picks and Predictions September 21st 2024

Ole Miss is the heavy favorite in this week four non-conference matchup against Georgia Southern, with the point spread set at -36.5. The game is scheduled for 7:45 ET from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford and will be broadcast on SECN. The over/under line is currently at 66.5 points. Ole Miss comes in with a 3-0 record, while Georgia Southern is 2-1 on the season.

Georgia Southern vs. Ole Miss Key Information

Georgia Southern is now 2-1 after a 42-14 win over South Carolina State. This game had no betting lines available.

The Eagles took control early, leading 7-0 after the first quarter. South Carolina State closed the gap to 14-7 at halftime, but Georgia Southern extended their lead to 35-14 by the end of the third quarter and added another touchdown in the fourth quarter to win 42-14.

Georgia Southern’s offense was balanced in their 42-14 win, with 356 total yards and 21 first downs. The Eagles’ ground game was effective, producing 145 yards and three rushing touchdowns. JC French led the passing attack, completing 73.9% of his passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 130.89.

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OJ Arnold was the leading rusher, averaging 10.5 yards per carry and finding the end zone once. Josh Dallas was the top receiver, with one catch for 58 yards.

Georgia Southern’s defense will look to tighten up against the run after allowing 112 yards and two rushing touchdowns to South Carolina State. Overall, the Eagles gave up 318 total yards and 14 points. In the passing game, Georgia Southern allowed 206 yards on 24 completions out of 39 attempts, but they did manage to come away with one interception.

Ole Miss is now 3-0 after their 40-6 road win over Wake Forest. The Rebels, who were -21 point favorites, not only won but also covered the spread. This game’s over/under was set at 66 points, but the two teams combined for just 46 points, resulting in the under hitting.

Ole Miss dominated from the start, taking a 20-3 lead in the first quarter. The Rebels added a field goal in the second quarter to make it 23-6 at halftime and then outscored Wake Forest 17-0 in the second half.

Ole Miss’s offense was unstoppable in their 40-6 win over Wake Forest, racking up 654 total yards and 33 first downs. The Rebels’ ground game was particularly effective, gaining 277 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Henry Parrish Jr. led the rushing attack with 148 yards on 23 carries, finding the end zone twice.

In the passing game, Jaxson Dart completed 76.5% of his passes for 377 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Tre Harris was his top target, hauling in 11 receptions for 127 yards.

Ole Miss’ defense was effective in their most recent game, holding Wake Forest to just six points and 60 rushing yards. Despite allowing 265 passing yards on 24 completions, the Rebels’ secondary came up with an interception. Overall, Ole Miss gave up 325 total yards and 21 first downs.

We’re projecting a 48-11 win for Ole Miss over Georgia Southern in week four of the college football season. Ole Miss is favored by -36.5 points, and we expect them to cover the spread comfortably.

With the over/under line set at 66.5 points, our projection of 59 total points suggests that taking the under is the best play for this matchup.

Jaxson Dart, Elite Defense Lead No. 5 Ole Miss Against Georgia Southern

As No. 5 Ole Miss heads into its final nonconference game before diving into the heart of SEC play, the Rebels are riding high on the stellar performances of Heisman Trophy candidate Jaxson Dart and a defense that has yet to allow a single touchdown this season. On Saturday, Ole Miss (3-0) will host the Georgia Southern Eagles (2-1) in Oxford, Miss., looking to continue their dominance.

Jaxson Dart’s Offensive Leadership

Quarterback Jaxson Dart has been the talk of Ole Miss’ offense, putting up impressive numbers in the first three games. With 11 total touchdowns so far, Dart has positioned himself as one of the standout quarterbacks in college football. His dual-threat ability has made him difficult for opposing defenses to contain, as he’s shown his prowess both through the air and on the ground.

Dart has led Ole Miss to a perfect 3-0 start, although the competition has been less than grueling thus far. The Rebels have racked up a 168-9 combined score over three games, showcasing the balance between Dart’s offensive firepower and a defense that’s playing lights out.

Dominant Landshark Defense

While Dart may grab the headlines, the real story this season has been the Rebels’ defense. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s unit has been sensational, making history as the first Ole Miss defense since 1961 to not allow a single touchdown through the first three games. Ole Miss has dominated opponents, allowing just three field goals for a total of nine points.

It’s not just about preventing scoring; the Rebels’ defense has been suffocating at every level. They are tied with Ohio State in scoring defense, giving up just 3.0 points per game, and lead the nation in rushing defense, allowing an average of only 33.3 yards per game on the ground. Their aggressive style has resulted in an average of 10 tackles for loss per game, ranking them third in the nation in that category.

Linebacker TJ Dottery attributes the defense’s success to stopping the run and being physical at the point of attack.

“Our D line. Our backers and even our safeties have been coming down, hitting and being physical,” Dottery said. “We say it a lot, ‘On our road games, we pack our defense and our run game.’ It’s really hard to win without running the ball.”

Head coach Lane Kiffin has also praised the defensive front, calling it a significant upgrade from previous years. After being thoroughly dominated by Georgia in a 52-17 loss last season, Kiffin made it a priority to revamp the defense, and the results have been evident so far.

Linebacker Chris Paul Jr., a transfer from Arkansas, leads the team with 19 tackles and shares the team lead in tackles for loss with defensive tackle JJ Pegues. Safety Trey Washington has been a force in the secondary, leading the team with three pass breakups.

Georgia Southern: A Tough Sun Belt Opponent

While Ole Miss has been cruising, they cannot overlook their opponent this weekend. Georgia Southern comes into the matchup at 2-1, fresh off back-to-back wins over Nevada and South Carolina State. Head coach Clay Helton’s Eagles have shown resilience, bouncing back from a 56-45 loss to Boise State in their season opener.

Georgia Southern’s strength lies in its running game, led by running back Jalen White. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior has been a workhorse for the Eagles, rushing for 97 yards and five touchdowns on 31 carries. White is known for his toughness in short-yardage situations, and Helton has full confidence in his ability to make key plays.

“Just a warrior, and he’s not 100 percent,” Helton said of White. “We need him, and you see what he brings to the table—not only in tough running but in goal-line runs where you’re always one short. I’ll bet my whole life on 25 (White) when it’s one-on-one.”

In their most recent win over South Carolina State, Georgia Southern leaned on both White and fellow running back OJ Arnold, who contributed a rushing touchdown and a receiving score. The Eagles will need a strong performance from their backfield if they hope to challenge Ole Miss’ formidable defense.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Jaxson Dart vs. Georgia Southern’s Secondary: Dart’s dual-threat capability will once again be on display, but Georgia Southern’s defense will need to find a way to limit his impact. If Dart gets into a rhythm early, it could spell trouble for the Eagles, as he has shown the ability to shred defenses with both his arm and legs.
2. Ole Miss’ Defense vs. Jalen White: Georgia Southern’s success on offense has been tied to Jalen White’s ability to grind out tough yards and score in short-yardage situations. The matchup between White and Ole Miss’ dominant front seven will be key. If the Rebels can continue to shut down the run, it will force the Eagles into uncomfortable passing situations.
3. Ole Miss’ Pass Rush: With 10 tackles for loss per game, the Rebels have been one of the most aggressive defensive units in the country. Georgia Southern’s offensive line will need to hold up under pressure, or else the Eagles could struggle to move the ball effectively.

What’s at Stake

For Ole Miss, this game is an important tune-up before they begin a grueling stretch of SEC matchups. The Rebels will face Kentucky next week to kick off an eight-game conference gauntlet, so they’ll want to head into that game on a high note.

Georgia Southern, on the other hand, is looking for a statement win. Taking down a top-five team like Ole Miss would be monumental for the Eagles, and even a strong showing could build confidence as they head into Sun Belt play.

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Final Thoughts

While Ole Miss is expected to win handily, this game still holds plenty of intrigue. Can Georgia Southern’s run game find any success against the nation’s top rushing defense? Will Jaxson Dart continue his Heisman campaign with another stellar performance?

Ole Miss will likely continue their dominant run, but Georgia Southern will aim to make it a competitive contest. For the Rebels, this is their last chance to fine-tune things before diving into the heart of their SEC schedule, where the competition will become much fiercer.