Sugar Bowl: #3 Georgia Bulldogs (12-1) vs #6 Ole Miss Rebels (10-3)
Get ready for a blockbuster College Football Playoff quarterfinal as the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (12-1) face off against the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (10-3) in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CT, and you can catch all the intensity on the largest video wall in San Angelo at Arc Light Sports Bar & Grill! This SEC rematch—with massive semifinal implications—adds extra intrigue after Georgia's dominant 52-17 win over Ole Miss earlier this season in Oxford, but the Rebels are a different team now, especially amid the coaching shakeup. The Bulldogs enter as 6.5-point favorites, but in the dome's electric atmosphere, anything can happen in this high-stakes battle.
The Rebels' path to the Sugar Bowl has been dramatic, not just on the field but off it, with former head coach Lane Kiffin shocking the college football world by departing for the LSU Tigers job just weeks ago—leaving Ole Miss to promote defensive coordinator Pete Golding as the new head coach. Kiffin, who built Ole Miss into a playoff contender with his innovative offense, even weighed in from afar, calling it a "powerhouse game" between the nation's best offense (Ole Miss) and one of the top defenses (Georgia), noting their split in recent matchups. Without Kiffin calling plays, the Rebels advanced with a convincing 41-10 first-round rout of Tulane, showcasing quarterback Jaxson Dart's precision (3,800+ yards, 32 TDs) and a balanced attack featuring wideouts Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins. But injuries could hinder them: Star running back Kewan Lacy exited the Tulane game with a shoulder injury and is questionable, while EDGE rusher Princely Umanmielen and LB Suntarine Perkins are monitoring ailments; backups like Logan Diggs may see expanded roles if Lacy sits. Defensively, Ole Miss ranks top-10 in sacks (44) thanks to transfers like Walter Nolen, but they'll need to contain Georgia's rush without key depth.
Georgia, seeded third after a bye following their SEC Championship run, is laser-focused under head coach Kirby Smart, who downplayed the "Ole Miss without Lane Kiffin" narrative, emphasizing it's about Georgia executing regardless of the sideline. The Bulldogs boast a ferocious defense—top-5 in points allowed (17.5 per game)—led by LBs Smael Mondon and CJ Allen, with EDGE Mykel Williams generating pressure. Offensively, QB Carson Beck (or Gunner Stockton if needed) directs a unit with RB Trevor Etienne (1,200+ yards) and WR Arian Smith, though the passing game has been inconsistent. Injury updates are mostly positive: WR Colbie Young made a surprising return to practice after a leg fracture and is probable, while RB Chauncey Bowens (back) and WR Talyn Taylor are expected to play; however, DE Gabe Harris (turf toe) and S Kyron Jones were absent from recent sessions and are doubtful, potentially thinning the front. Smart's squad has the experience edge in big games, having won two of the last three national titles.
Key battles include Georgia's elite run defense (No. 2 nationally) versus Ole Miss' ground game, which could falter without Lacy—potentially forcing Dart into mistakes against a opportunistic secondary. On the other side, can the Rebels' pass rush disrupt Beck and limit Etienne, or will Georgia's physicality wear them down like in their November blowout? The coaching transition adds uncertainty for Ole Miss, but Golding's familiarity with the defense could keep it close early. Our prediction: Georgia advances with a hard-fought 34-27 win, capitalizing on turnovers and a late score, as ESPN's analytics give them a 60.1% edge. Yet, if Dart lights up the dome and the Rebels channel Kiffin's old magic, an upset isn't out of the question in this SEC thriller.
Don't miss this playoff spectacle from your living room—head to Arc Light Sports Bar & Grill in San Angelo instead, where the action unfolds on our massive video wall surrounded by passionate fans. Fuel up with ice-cold beers, handcrafted cocktails, and irresistible game-day eats like loaded nachos, premium burgers, and spicy wings that pair perfectly with the drama. Whether you're howling with the Dawgs, rallying for the Rebels, or just in it for the excitement, this is the ultimate spot to celebrate. Doors open early—gather your group and turn it into a memorable night!
On special is our Arc Light Smash Burger -- 1/2 pound of delicious 2-patties of burger and fresh-cut fries. Here's what else is on special.
