By Harshit, STARKVILLE, Miss., Nov. 8, 2025/ 12PM EDT
In a pivotal Week 11 showdown, the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs travel to Davis Wade Stadium to face Mississippi State in a matchup that carries postseason implications for both teams. Georgia enters at 7-1 overall and remains in contention for the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff positioning. Mississippi State, meanwhile, stands at 5-4 and needs just one more win to secure bowl eligibility, making this game a potential turning point in its season.
Georgia’s Balanced Identity Drives Its Success
Georgia’s season has been shaped by balance and discipline. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has developed into a reliable decision-maker, throwing for 1,776 yards with 12 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. The Bulldogs average 419.4 total yards per game and score 32.5 points per contest, a mark good enough to remain competitive with the country’s elite.
Complementing Stockton is the running attack, which has averaged 184 yards per game and helped Georgia control the pace of games. Consistency on the ground has allowed the Bulldogs to operate efficiently out of play-action and keep defenses honest. That stability will be a major factor Saturday against a Mississippi State defense that has struggled against the run.
Defense, long a pillar of Georgia’s identity, remains strong. The Bulldogs are holding opponents to just 19.6 points per game and rank among the SEC’s best in rushing defense at 94.1 yards allowed per contest. Linebacker CJ Allen has emerged as a defensive centerpiece with 67 tackles and three sacks. His presence in run support and passing pursuit has made Georgia’s front seven difficult for opposing offenses to manage.
Mississippi State Possesses Playmaking Upside
Mississippi State’s season has been defined by explosive offensive potential. Quarterback Blake Shapen has thrown for 2,148 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading an attack that averages 33.2 points per game. Brenen Thompson has become Shapen’s most dynamic target with 716 receiving yards, providing vertical threat capability that tests defensive secondaries. On the ground, Fluff Bothwell leads the team with 490 rushing yards and has shown the ability to break chunk plays when space is available.
However, the defensive side of the ball presents Mississippi State’s biggest challenge. The Bulldogs allow 24.7 points per game and have been particularly vulnerable against the run, surrendering 162.1 rushing yards per contest. Against a Georgia offense that thrives on controlling tempo and wearing down defensive fronts, that mismatch could be decisive.
Still, Mississippi State has found ways to create turnovers, owning a +4 turnover margin for the season. Any chance of an upset hinges on generating takeaways and forcing Georgia to play from behind rather than dictate possession.
What’s at Stake
Mississippi State is coming off a 38–35 comeback win over Arkansas and carries momentum into Saturday. A home environment at Davis Wade Stadium, known for its noise and atmosphere, could help swing early momentum. A win would not only secure bowl eligibility but also register as the program’s signature victory of the season.
For Georgia, every week carries playoff implications. With tight margins in SEC standings and national rankings, another strong game would keep the Bulldogs firmly in the postseason conversation. A loss, on the other hand, would place pressure on the final stretch of the season.
Prediction
Georgia’s physicality up front and consistency in ball control give it the structural advantage. Mississippi State has the firepower to create scoring bursts, but sustaining drives against Georgia’s defense is a steep challenge.
Projected Score: Georgia 34, Mississippi State 17