No. 20 Ole Miss (2-0) at Georgia Tech (1-1), 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Line: Ole Miss by 16½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Tied 2-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Ole Miss faces its first road test of the season after opening with two home wins over lesser opposition. Coach Lane Kiffin is eager to see how a squad that relied heavily on the transfer portal will mesh on the trip to Atlanta. Georgia Tech snapped a seven-game losing streak with last week’s victory over FCS school Western Carolina, but coach Geoff Collins desperately needs a win such as this to fend off speculation about his future. The Yellow Jackets are just 1-9 against Top 25 opposition during his tenure.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims vs. Ole Miss defense. Sims is considered the key to a turnaround season in Atlanta, but he’s off to a sluggish start with an interception in each of the first two games. Sims completed just 8 of 17 for 100 yards against Western Carolina. Now he’s facing an aggressive unit that has allowed just 13 points. Ole Miss ranks in the top 10 nationally in sacks per game (4.0) and forced turnovers (six).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ole Miss: QBs Jaxson Dart and Luke Altmyer. Dart, a transfer form Southern Cal, started the opener but turned in a lackluster performance. Altmyer got the nod last week, but an injury knocked him out of the game. Altmyer wasn’t seriously hurt and should be able to go against Georgia Tech. Kiffin didn’t name a starter and said he expected both quarterback to play.
Georgia Tech: RB Dontae Smith rushed for 102 yards and scored three touchdowns on just 11 carries in the 35-17 win over the Catamounts. Overall, the Yellow Jackets finished with 243 yards rushing and 7.1-yards per carry. They will need another big performance on the ground to help keep Ole Miss’ fast-paced offense off the field.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is only the second regular-season meeting between the schools, even though both were members of the Southeastern Conference from 1933-63. Georgia Tech claimed a 24-7 win in Atlanta on Oct. 12, 1946. …. The teams have faced each other in three bowl games, most recently at the 2013 Music City Bowl won by Ole Miss 25-17. .. Georgia Tech PK Jude Kelley has made only 1 of 3 field goals. He missed a 25-yarder against Western Carolina. … Ole Miss has held seven straight opponents to 21 or fewer points, the longest active streak among Power 5 teams. … Ole Miss RBs Quinshon Judkins (95.5) and Zach Evans (91.5) are the only pair of teammates in the country averaging 90-plus yards rushing. … TE Michael Trigg, who transferred to Ole Miss from Southern Cal, ranks No. 9 nationally with three receiving TDs.
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