Here’s a bold statement for you: the critics were dead wrong—again—about College GameDay’s venue choice this weekend. And this is the part most people miss: the decision to feature Georgia vs. Ole Miss wasn’t just a safe bet; it was a masterclass in delivering exactly what fans crave. Let’s dive in.
Published on October 18, 2025, at 6:11 PM EDT, and updated at 6:24 PM EDT, this matchup has already silenced the doubters. Yes, I’ve had my fair share of disagreements with College GameDay lately—like their questionable celebrity guest picks (check out my take here: https://www.outkick.com/sports/college-gamedays-latest-celebrity-guest-yet-another-tragic-misstep)—but credit where it’s due: this game was the perfect choice for Saturday’s spotlight.
Georgia and Ole Miss are putting on a show, as two top-10 teams should, and the naysayers are eating their words. Earlier this week, I wrote about the nationwide backlash against ESPN for favoring another SEC venue (read more here: https://www.outkick.com/sports/college-gameday-going-back-sec-again-folks-fuming), but this game has more than justified the decision.
But here’s where it gets controversial: neither team punted in the entire first half. Yes, you read that right. The offensive firepower has been nothing short of spectacular, though some fans are calling for the heads of both defensive coordinators. As I’ve said before, you can’t please everyone (https://www.outkick.com/sports/incessant-whining-about-ap-poll-proves-you-cant-please-everyone), but this game is a testament to why College GameDay made the right call.
This isn’t just any matchup—it’s a showdown between two of college football’s brightest coaching minds. Lane Kiffin and Kirby Smart set aside their war of words (https://www.outkick.com/sports/kirby-smart-mutes-lane-kiffin-text-messages-ole-miss-georgia) and let their teams do the talking on the field. The result? A thrilling spectacle that’s left viewers on the edge of their seats.
With rumors swirling about Kiffin’s future in Oxford (https://www.outkick.com/sports/florida-gator-fans-should-rooting-georgia-weekend-im-serious), it would’ve been easy to assume he’d be distracted. Yet, the Ole Miss coach had his team firing on all cylinders in one of the most hostile environments in college football. If the Rebels keep this up, Kiffin might just stay put in the Magnolia State for good.
Now, let’s be clear: this Georgia team isn’t their usual dominant selves, but they’re still a legitimate top-10 squad. An Ole Miss road win here could catapult the Rebels into the driver’s seat for the SEC title and a deep playoff run. And this is the part most people miss: regardless of Kiffin’s future, the critics who slammed College GameDay’s venue choice have been proven wrong—again.
So, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Did College GameDay make the right call, or should they have gone with a different matchup? Let me know in the comments—I’m eager to hear your take!
