Kirby Smart is feeling the criticism after the Georgia Bulldogs fell 39-34 to the Ole Miss Rebels in the Sugar Bowl on January 1. Moreover, it’s the Rebels that are moving on over the Bulldogs to the College Football semifinal against the Miami Hurricanes.
In the first half, it was the Bulldogs who controlled the game, as their defense had allowed only 12 points while their offense exploded for 21 in the second quarter. Despite playing stingy defense in the first half, the Georgia defense gave up 27 points.
Moreover, after those 21 points, the Bulldogs scored only 13 more in the second half. After the game, SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers didn’t hold back on Smart’s coaching performance against Ole Miss.
“That was [Pete Golding’s] second game as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, going against probably the greatest coach in college football right now, Kirby Smart, a two-time national championship as a head coach in Georgia,” Rodgers said after the Bulldogs’ loss. “And Pete outcoached him; he really did.
“He made decisions when they needed to be made; he was aggressive at times. He inspired his players; he allowed them to play free [and] allowed them to be aggressive [and] allowed Charlie Weis Jr. to be aggressive with play calling. I thought it was a fantastic job by Pete.”
Ole Miss’ Pete Golding Gets Praise
Moreover, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding earned more praise from Rodgers for not just outcoaching Smart but also for holding the team afloat after Lane Kiffin left to take the LSU Tigers‘ head coaching job.
“He kept the entire ship from sinking all months,” Rodgers added. “When everything was working against him—coaches half in, half out, players probably half in, half out, getting contacted by everybody, coaches all across the country, I imagine—that happens. And he kept them together to focus on the biggest game in Ole Miss history, and they performed when they needed it.”
Kirby Smart Talks Georgia Loss to Ole Miss
While Golding is getting praise, Smart didn’t hold back, noting that they were simply beat by a better team on New Year’s Day.
“They made, you know, more plays than we did,” Smart said (h/t Connor Riley of AJC). “And I got to be honest, that’s part of football. They made more and out-executed us, out-coached us, outplayed us. But I enjoyed that game and that atmosphere. I am proud of our team. I’m sick that we lost. And there’s things that I would love to go back and do differently.”
It was Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss who tormented the Georgia defense. Chambliss went 30-for-46 on his pass attempts while recording 362 passing yards and two touchdowns. Moreover, former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow gave major praise to Chambliss.
“I feel like it was one of the best quarterback performances that we have seen since the College Football Playoff has been in existence,” Tebow said after Ole Miss beat Georgia.
Georgia will need to brush off this loss and come back later in the year with a chip on their shoulder once the 2026 college football season returns.
Kirby Smart Gets Scathing Words After Georgia Loss to Ole Miss