JUMP TO:
Georgia closed the season as strong as any team in the nation, dismantling Alabama to capture an SEC championship and extend its win streak to nine. Included in that streak was a win over Ole Miss, which now has a chance for revenge in the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day.
The Rebels didn’t look distracted in their first-round victory over Tulane, seamlessly transitioning from the Lane Kiffin era to Pete Golding, but the Bulldogs represent a much tougher challenge. Georgia has allowed 10 or fewer points in each of its last four games, though Ole Miss proved it could at least hang with Kirby Smart’s team when it scored 35 points in Athens in October.
A Sugar Bowl win would be the most significant victory in program history for Ole Miss and represent a triumph for the players after losing their coach. For Georgia, a win would undoubtedly be worth celebrating, but it wouldn’t be anything Smart isn’t used to. The Bulldogs have their sights set on a third national championship under Smart, and they enter the semifinals among the favorites.
Trinidad Chambliss will attempt to keep his storybook season at Ole Miss alive as Georgia looks for its first playoff win in three years following last year’s Sugar Bowl disappointment against Notre Dame.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Ole Miss on Thursday.
STREAM: Watch Georgia vs. Ole Miss with Fubo (free trial)
Georgia vs. Ole Miss football score
SN’s PLAYOFF HQ: Live CFP scores | Updated CFP bracket | Full CFP schedule
Georgia vs. Ole Miss live updates, highlights from 2026 College Football Playoff
All times ET.
8:36 p.m. — Now, Ole Miss gets a stop. Stockton’s 3rd & 2 pass falls incomplete, and Georgia punts quickly after the field goal.
Ole Miss 3, Georgia 0
8:32 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Ole Miss strikes first on a 55-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro. It’s 3-0 in the Sugar Bowl.
8:28 p.m. — The Rebels have some momentum, as Kewan Lacy gets a big gain on the ground, then Chambliss connects with Harrison Wallace for a first down. They’re into Georgia territory.
8:20 p.m. — Stockton helped the Bulldogs move the chains once, also taking some deep shots with his arm, but Georgia also punts on its opening drive.
8:15 p.m. — Nothing’s there for Ole Miss on its first drive. The Rebels punt, and out comes Gunner Stockton.
8:14 p.m. — Trinidad Chambliss and the Rebels begin with the ball in the Sugar Bowl.
Pregame
8:08 p.m. — Can Gunner Stockton continue his hot streak into the CFP?
Georgia QB Gunner Stockton goes through warmups with C Malachi Toliver. pic.twitter.com/lCJwASQBvb
— Lance (@LM_Sports_Media) January 2, 2026
8:02 p.m. — We’re moments away from the final CFP quarterfinal matchup.
almost time… Sugar Bowl.. UGA vs Ole Miss pic.twitter.com/pAu12pi0kl
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) January 2, 2026
7:32 p.m. — The stage is set for the Sugar Bowl.
It’s all in the details. pic.twitter.com/hEah195wII
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 1, 2026
📍 Caesars Superdome pic.twitter.com/M74u6MRyVu
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) January 1, 2026
MORE GEORGIA-OLE MISS NEWS:
How to watch Georgia vs. Ole Miss
Georgia vs. Ole Miss start time
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 1
- Time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT
The Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Ole Miss will kick off at 8 p.m. ET from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
What channel is Georgia vs. Ole Miss on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Fubo
The Sugar Bowl will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (color analyst) on the call from New Orleans.
ESPN is once again producing its annual Megacast for the College Football Playoff featuring alternate broadcasts of the game across ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and the ESPN App.
Fans looking to stream the game can turn to Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.
MORE: Full CFP bracket, final rankings, schedule
College Football Playoff schedule 2026
Dec. 19
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| First-Round CFP game | Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
Dec. 20
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| First-Round CFP game | Miami 10, Texas A&M 3 | 12 p.m. | TNT |
| First-Round CFP game | Ole Miss 41, Tulane 10 | 4 p.m. | TNT |
| First-Round CFP game | Oregon 51, James Madison 34 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
Dec. 31
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| Cotton Bowl Classic (quarterfinal) | Miami 24, Ohio State 14 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Jan. 1
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| Capital One Orange Bowl (quarterfinal) | Texas Tech vs. Oregon | 12 p.m. | ESPN |
| Rose Bowl Game (quarterfinal) | Indiana vs. Alabama | 4 p.m. | ESPN |
| Allstate Sugar Bowl (quarterfinal) | Georgia vs. Ole Miss | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
Jan. 8
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (semifinal) | TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Jan. 9
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (semifinal) | TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Jan. 19
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
| CFP National championship | TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
