Georgia
Ole Miss faces must-win matchup against No. 3 Georgia to keep playoff hopes alive – SuperTalk Mississippi
The initial College Football Playoff rankings of the 2024-25 season were released on Tuesday, and while No. 16 Ole Miss was not featured among the 12 teams projected to compete for a national championship, Lane Kiffin’s Rebels have an opportunity to make waves this weekend.
A must-win matchup versus America’s No. 3 program, Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC), will unfold in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., and Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2 SEC) has one objective to remain hopeful of the prospects of making a playoff debut this year — win.
Last year, a win at Georgia would have given Ole Miss a legitimate shot at being a playoff contender, given the Rebels ran the table after a brutal 52-17 loss in Athens and went on to post their first 11-win season in history.
After that blowout defeat, Kiffin and company made it their mission to use the Grove Collective — the Ole Miss-exclusive name, image, and likeness program — to retain a strong nucleus of veteran talent, pluck some of the most coveted players from the transfer portal, and add a solid crop of newcomers from the high school ranks.
Ole Miss, after receiving a multi-million dollar level of support from fans, delivered in all three phases and constructed arguably the best roster in program history. That roster now has its back against the wall with two nasty scars from earlier defeats, but also a chance to author future history.
“If they beat Georgia, they will be in the top 12 next week,” Bill Bender from Sporting News said on SportsTalk Mississippi. “They’ll leapfrog (No. 11) Alabama, probably. It’ll be close, but I think they would because [the playoff selection committee] would honor that Georgia victory just the same.”
The upcoming battle in Oxford could seemingly lessen the blow of a week five home loss to a Kentucky team that is winless since its contest against the Rebels as well as a heartbreaking three-point defeat in overtime at LSU.
Sandwiched between the Kentucky and LSU games was a promising 27-3 win at South Carolina. After the loss in Death Valley, Ole Miss regrouped in a bye week and displayed defensive dominance in a 26-14 victory against Oklahoma. The Rebels then ended a 16-year curse by trouncing Arkansas on the road 63-31 in a historic offensive outing.
Though the Bulldogs are certainly anticipated to pose a much bigger threat than the Sooners and Razorbacks, Ole Miss appears to be peaking at the right time.
“If you look at their scoring offense and scoring defense, you kind of shake your head and wonder how they have lost a game,” Bender added. “This is a really good football team with the most efficient quarterback in the SEC. They have a lot of things the committee likes.”
With rain in the forecast at game time in Oxford, all signs point to Saturday’s battle coming down to efficiency. Since neither squad has been able to run the ball effectively for the most part this year, it looks like the passing game will be the difference offensively.
That may give Ole Miss fans a sense of relief, given Jaxson Dart has been the most efficient quarterback in the SEC, and has especially shined in the last couple of weeks.
The veteran quarterback tossed for a collective 826 yards and seven touchdowns in his two previous SEC outings. This feat was accomplished without standout receiver Tre Harris on the field. Harris is expected to give it a go against the Bulldogs, sources tell SuperTalk Mississippi News.
Georgia’s Carson Beck, on the other hand, has had a tough time refraining from giving the other team the ball. In the past five games, Beck has thrown more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (10).
However, offensive line play could ultimately be a determining factor in who gets the win. Dart has looked more impressive than Beck this season, but the Bulldogs’ field general has had a cleaner pocket. Dart has been sacked 19 times this season compared to 10 dropdowns of Beck.
For Ole Miss to emerge victorious on Saturday, its makeshift and injury-ridden offensive front must stand tall against a ferocious defensive line. Likewise, Pete Golding’s defense will have a golden opportunity to force a trigger-happy Beck to turn the ball over and place the Rebels in favorable field position.
A successful defensive outing by the Rebels would not come as any surprise as the unit is responsible for a collective 18 sacks in the last two games and have wreaked havoc in the backfield. JJ Pegues, Walter Nolen, Jared Ivey, and Princely Umanmielen have proven to be more than formidable in the trenches as linebackers TJ Dottery, Suntarine Perkins, and Chris “Pooh” Paul, Jr. have held opposing offenses at bay.
Georgia’s shortcomings aside, the Bulldogs have not backed down since the team’s week four loss at Alabama. Kirby Smart’s crew has won each of its last four games, one of which occurred at then- No. 1 Texas, by double-digits.
Ole Miss is not able to afford another loss and Georgia is historically stingy when it comes to losing in recent years, paving the way for what may be an epic showdown between two hungry teams, each led by a Nick Saban disciple.
As things stand, the SEC is slated to have four teams in the first-ever 12-team playoff, meaning Ole Miss may need a little help even if the Rebels run the table. And that aid appears to be built into the schedules of other programs sitting ahead of Kiffin’s squad in the rankings.
On Saturday night, the highly-anticipated matchup between No. 11 Alabama (6-2, 3-2 SEC) and No. 15 LSU (6-2, 3-1 SEC) will ensure a third overall loss and an additional conference defeat for both squads, likely ending any hopes of a playoff appearance. A loss for the Tigers would likely place a major roadblock on Brian Kelly’s team’s path to the SEC Championship, which would keep LSU from possibly jumping Ole Miss for a playoff spot due to the head-to-head advantage.
In the event Ole Miss beats Georgia, the Bulldogs’ November 16 battle against No. 7 Tennessee (7-1, 4-1 SEC) would have the potential to essentially take Smart’s squad out of the playoff equation or blemish the Volunteers’ overall record.
Another future contest to keep an eye on, assuming Ole Miss has won out at this point, will take place in College Station with No. 15 Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1 SEC) hosting bitter rival No. 5 Texas (7-1, 3-1 SEC). A third loss for the Aggies, assuming they are not upset beforehand, would probably be the nail in their playoff appearance coffin.
Regardless, all future games will bear little-to-no significance if the Rebels can’t find a win on Saturday. Ole Miss versus Georgia will be broadcast on ABC and participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations. The Bulldogs are currently a 2.5-point favorite.
There’s a shorter turnaround time this season from Georgia baseball’s postseason to the MLB draft for Bulldog pro hopefuls.
That’s what happens when you make it to the College World Series for the first time since 2008.
Daniel Jackson, considered Georgia’s top draft prospect, finished up a season that will go down as one of the best in history.
Jackson became the first catcher to post a 25-25 season of at least 25 homers and 25 steals. He had 32 homers and 26 stolen bases and became third SEC player to capture the triple crown with a .379 average, 87 RBI and the 32 homers.
“We wouldn’t be here without that young man and what he’s done,” Georgia coach Wes Johnson said after the Bulldogs season ended with a 53-14 record two wins away from the College World Series finals. “You know, if you think about it, it will go down as one of the best single-season performances in the history of our game.”
So where does Jackson, considered the favorite to win the Golden Spikes Award for nation’s top player, stand in projections ahead of the start of the draft on July 11?
ESPN.com’s Kiley McDaniel
17. Houston Astros
“He’s an above-average runner and has the tools to stick behind the plate, so his polish as a catcher and contact rates are the only hesitations. His profile combining raw power, measurable athleticism and defensive value also fits the Astros’ tendencies. This pick is more of a high watermark for him, but I’d be surprised if he got past the 35th pick.”
Baseball America’s staff draft
27. New York Mets
“The Mets’ pick of a bat-first catcher from the state of Georgia (Kevin Parada) didn’t work a few years ago. This time should be different. Jackson is athletic for a catcher and his power is real.”
The Athletic’s Keith Law
25. Milwaukee Brewers
On June 12 before College World Series: “The big finish has probably pushed him into the first round, and the Brewers have gone for similar hitters the last two years in Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer.”
Don’t sleep on the Yellow Jackets heading into the 2026 season.
They have several big games in conference play against some of the conference’s elite. As they have shown us before, they are no stranger to pulling off big-time victories and shocking the college football world, especially as an underdog. Let’s talk about three reasons why the Yellow Jackets can beat the ACC elite this upcoming season.
1. They’ve Done It Before
Georgia Tech is no stranger to beating top ACC teams in the Brent Key era. They have done it consistently, multiple times. There are a myriad of examples to point to. You can go to the North Carolina game back in 2023, played in primetime on the Flats.
The Yellow Jackets defeated top pick and now New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in a 46-42 victory. You can go back to the 2024 season in Ireland when the Yellow Jackets upset then No.10 Florida State 24-21. In that same year, Georgia Tech knocked off future No.1 overall pick Cam Ward and the No.4 Miami Hurricanes, handing them their first loss of the season in a 28-23.
There are many other examples I can point to illustrate this point, but you can see the Yellow Jackets never back down and come to play when it matters most against the elite teams in the conference. They have done it with a good offense and an opportunistic defense. With Louisville, Clemson, and Virginia Tech on the schedule, they should be primed to do it again in 2026.
2. Georgia Tech Has An Identity
It is pretty simple: under head coach Brent Key, this Yellow Jackets team has an identity and a culture that sets it apart. They want to play physical, smash-mouth football and dominate you in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Coach Key has meant what he said this offseason about getting more size and girth, but also having offensive linemen who can move. It was one of the reasons why they were aggressive in the portal and one of the reasons why they are having success with the 2027 cycle.
When you look at Georgia Tech, they are going to run the football and play good defense. That makes the job easier for a first-time starter in Alberto Mendoza, who has a lighter load with the moves made this offseason. When you play in those major matchups, you have to lean on something to come out on top, and what better way than the true identity of your team?
3. The Defense Will Be Much Better
From top to bottom, the Yellow Jackets are poised to be much better defensively. When you look at the depth of the roster, the new defensive scheme, the talent level, and the hunger, you have a team that should be one of the better units in the conference. In order to beat the conference elite, you have to have a good defense that can travel and make plays late in games to seal it for you.
While Georgia Tech showed glimpses of that a season ago, the consistency in November just wasn’t there. With Jason Semore becoming the new defensive coordinator and a more attack-style, aggressive man-to-man defense, Georgia Tech should be equipped to force more turnovers and make a difference by getting the ball back to the offense.
The spring gave us a good glimpse of what the defense could look like despite so many injuries and players out. The defense flat-out shut down the Yellow Jackets, creating constant pressure and causing havoc for an offense trying to find its footing in the spring game. While some will say to take it with a grain of salt, it is clear that the Yellow Jackets will be a much better unit in 2026.
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Pennsbury Baseball Zuckerman District One Championship PIAA
Pennsbury junior Brendan Zuckerman smacks an RBI single to left in the Falcons’ 7-run first inning of District One 6A championship victory
Ryan Zuckerman is last on the alphabetical list of the 335 college and high school baseball players attending the June 22-27 MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix.
What the 2023 Pennsbury graduate did in his lone season at Georgia Tech has garnered him plenty of attention from MLB scouts regardless of where his name is on a list that includes Holy Ghost Prep grad Aiden Robbins, a Texas outfield standout who is expected to go as early as late in the first round, fellow Pennsbury graduate Joe Tiroly, an infielder from Virginia, and Pennsbury senior right-handed pitcher Keller Bradley.
MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the conference champion Yellow Jackets, second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and leader in home runs (23) and RBIs (79, tied for eighth in the country) for the high-powered Georgia Tech offense are just a few of Zuckerman’s notable accomplishments heading into the July 11-13 draft. He is projected to go toward the middle of the 20 rounds.
“It’s pretty surreal for sure,” said Zuckerman, 21. “It’s something I dreamed of my whole life.”
In a season filled with memorable moments, perhaps most impressive was Zuckerman being named ACC Tournament MVP after hitting three home runs with six RBIs and batting .571 (8 for 14), culminating in a 13-6 championship game win over North Carolina in Charlotte. He also was a first-team All-ACC selection at third base.
Zuckerman and Georgia Tech went into the NCAA Atlanta regional as the nation’s No. 2 seed. Though the 50-11 Yellow Jackets ended up being eliminated by losing twice to Oklahoma, including 8-7 in 10 innings for the regional title, Zuckerman can only rave about his experience at Georgia Tech.
“If you would have told me that’s how the season for me and each of us on the team would’ve gone, I would’ve been extremely happy,” Zuckerman said. “It was probably the best decision I ever made in my life.”
After a solid sophomore season at Pitt in which he hit .295 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 48 runs scored, Zuckerman believed transferring would help him develop into a more pro-ready player and allow him to win more games. And Georgia Tech checked all the boxes
In addition to his career-best home run and RBI numbers, Zuckerman led Georgia Tech in 2026 with 24 multi-RBI games while establishing career-highs in batting average (.345), runs (71), hits (80), walks (37), slugging percentage (.720) and on-base percentage (.438). He batted fifth in the order.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Zuckerman, who always had a strong arm, also worked hard to improve his defense at third base, resulting in 15.99 defensive runs saved for the season, which was the 13th-highest total in college baseball.
“I like to say I’m arguably the best third baseman in the country,” he said.
As a senior playing third at Pennsbury, Zuckerman hit .465 with an on-base percentage of .563, plus six doubles, six home runs, 23 RBIs and scored 26 runs.
“In high school, he was incredible for us,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “(A year ago), he decided to go from a mid- to low ACC team to the best team in the ACC. Surrounding himself with amazing players at Georgia Tech, he’s kind of elevated his game.”
Since the conclusion of the collegiate season, Zuckerman has been working out in preparation for the MLB Draft Combine and, ultimately, the draft. He’s been splitting his time between Yardley and Atlanta.
MLB teams have indicated Zuckerman’s power bat and defense are two of his strengths, while he’s focusing on improving his swing selection and making more contact at the plate.
Zuckerman is looking forward to hearing his name called by one of the 30 major league clubs. Whether a team views him as a third baseman, first baseman, corner outfielder or even second baseman doesn’t really matter to him.
“I think right now I’m in a great position to go and play professional baseball and start my journey up to the big leagues,” Zuckerman said. “The goal is not to get drafted – it’s to play MLB.”
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
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