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Ole Miss cannot shake up the SEC this Saturday without their star running back. Nine Rebels players are officially out, and star RB Kewan Lacy remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. Georgia returns to full health with RB Chauncey Bowens upgraded to probable. The Dawgs hold the advantage because they have their best runners ready to go while the Rebels are missing their top playmaker.
The numbers show a clear gap in available talent. According to Yahoo Sports, Ole Miss enters the matchup with nine players listed as officially out. That list includes Lacy, who separated his shoulder during the loss at Texas in October. Georgia was beaten by the Rebels in the Sugar Bowl last January, with He playing a major role. Without him, the offense loses its primary weapon against a tough defense.
Georgia Runs Healthier Into The Fight
Kirby Smart’s team is as healthy as it has been all season. Only linebacker Amaris Williams is officially out for the No. 2 Bulldogs. Several players who were questionable last week, including WR Thomas Blackshear and TE Elyiss Williams, are now in better shape. RB Chauncey Bowens made the biggest jump from “out” to “questionable” and could see heavy action. Smart knows Bowens brings a physical style that fits the SEC grind.
That kind of runner is what you need when the game gets ugly. Georgia has him back. Ole Miss does not have Lacy back.
Ole Miss Depth Gets Tested
The Rebels are trying to fill the void left by Lacy with Shekai Mills-Knight and Makhi Frazier. Both have been solid all season, but neither has the same impact as the injured star. Ole Miss also lost starting left tackle Terez Davis last week, though he returns this Saturday. Linebacker Luke Ferrelli dealt with an ankle issue that limited him against Auburn. He is listed as probable, but his efficiency is still in question.
When your best players are not at 100%, you struggle to move the ball.
Golding knows injuries hurt but refuses to use them as an excuse. He points to the staff trying to keep guys healthy as a key factor. “The strength and conditioning component of that and the nutrition staff and all those type of things are a huge impact on that and trying to keep guys healthy,” Golding explained. The results speak for themselves on the injury report. Georgia looks ready. Ole Miss looks thin.
Why The Dawgs Win Saturday
Georgia won 27-8 against Florida and had a week off to rest. That break gave them time to heal up critical players. Ole Miss has to play through the loss of a player who changed the game in January. Against the Bulldogs this Saturday night, the Rebels will be without Lacy. Their replacements have worked hard, but the gap in talent is real. A healthy Georgia running game led by Bowens will control the clock.
The SEC is tough, but you need your best players to win big games.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ole-miss-injury-woes-georgia-181501840.html
