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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels And Bulldogs Battle For Bowl Position
11/18/1999 | Football
Nov. 18, 1999
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Georgia knows it had better turn around quickly Saturday against No. 16 Mississippi.
Last weekend, the Bulldogs fell behind Auburn 38-0 before losing 38-21, and Georgia (6-3, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) lost for the third time in five games, dropping from 14th to 21st in the rankings.
"We expected to win the game and had no idea we would play that poorly," Bulldogs coach Jim Donnan said.
He said last week's game should teach his players not to take anything for granted.
"Just because we're favored to win doesn't mean we're going to," he said. "Hopefully, it woke us up."
Ole Miss had last week off to prepare for two games in six days. The Rebels close the regular season Thanksgiving night against Mississippi State.
Coach David Cutcliffe said the Rebels (7-2, 4-2) don't expect Georgia to repeat its collapse of a week ago.
"Auburn just hit every play they had an opportunity to hit, and that happens," Cutcliffe said. "Football is not a perfect science by any means. Sometimes you get hot and it all hits, and sometimes it happens to you. Those are things you can't completely explain, and I don't think it has any effect from one game to the next."
The Rebels are off to their best start since 1990, when they were 8-1.
"We've said all along we had a chance to win every game, and we need to think that way," Cutcliffe said. "I think this team realizes it's good enough to compete with anyone, but we can't just go out and play. We have to play well."
The Rebels have two of the top five rushers in the SEC in Joe Gunn (93 yards a game) and Deuce McAllister (71). Old Miss quarterback Romaro Miller is second in the league in passing efficiency.
"Ole Miss has two running backs that have done a good job this season," Donnan said. "They are both quick and run hard. They have a very good quarterback and their defense has gotten better as the season has progressed. Ole Miss is playing with a lot of confidence after its win over Arkansas two weeks ago."
