ATHENS — Gary Stokan sees the season coming down to “the play-ins to the playoffs,” a sequence of games filled with unintended and sometimes curious consequences.

ATHENS — Kirby Smart makes it a point not to rely on external factors for motivation, but the College Football Playoff committee provided some, anyway.

Kirby Smart knew the challenge he faced when the schedule came out, his Bulldogs facing one of the toughest road slates in league history.

Ole Miss poured it on against Georgia, overwhelming the Bulldogs in the rain by a 28-10 count.

ATHENS — Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said his Rebels are better equipped to beat Georgia this season than last.