Georgia can’t afford setbacks in Starkville vs. Mississippi State

No. 5 Georgia can't afford to fall in a trap this weekend against Mississippi State. 

Kirby Smart's Bulldogs enters Week 11 sitting at 7-1, still well within the College Football Playoff conversation but hardly dominating its way there. They slipped past Ole Miss with a late rally and edged Florida on a disputed call, which were decided by a combined 12 points. With Texas and Georgia Tech left after this weekend, Saturday’s trip to Mississippi State has “look ahead” written all over it.

On the other hand, Jeff Lebby’s Bulldogs have dropped four of their last five, yet their fight has been undeniable. They’ve taken Texas and Tennessee to overtime and have shown enough to wreck a contender’s season. There’s structure now in Starkville, along with a belief they can take down another ranked opponent like they did earlier this year against Arizona State. 

For Georgia, quarterback Gunner Stockton has settled in. Over the past three games, he’s thrown six touchdowns against one interception and added nearly 100 rushing yards and two scores. Just as crucial, his protection has been stellar, while pressured on only 12% of dropbacks. With Colby Young sidelined, Zachariah Branch has emerged as a breakout target, recording 112 yards last week.

Mississippi State’s offense runs through bruising backs Devon Booth and Fluff Bothwell, but Georgia’s front seven, led by CJ Allen and Christian Miller, remains a tough challenge. 

If Mississippi State jumps ahead early, though, expect another unpredictable Saturday in the SEC. The road to the playoff doesn’t usually run through Starkville but this weekend, it might decide whether Georgia stays on it. There's no doubt Lane Kiffin and the 6th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels will be watching this one closely with the Egg Bowl three weeks away. 

No. 5 Georgia heads to Starkville to meet MSU on Saturday (Noon ET, ESPN). 

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