The #9 Georgia Bulldogs are back in action this weekend in Columbia, Missouri, to take on the red-hot Tigers in what should be a closer than anticipated matchup than one would have thought at the beginning of the year. After having its game against Vanderbilt postponed last weekend due to COVID, the Dawgs will be looking to continue its newfound offensive momentum against a Missouri squad whose defense has been faltering a bit as of late. Below are three things to watch for at Noon ET on Saturday:
The JT Daniels Show Rolls On
Both of Georgia’s offensive game plans in JT Daniels’ starts have been radically different. Against Mississippi State, Daniels was forced to air it out with tremendous success, as State made it a point to load the box to take away the run. After seeing the level of success that Daniels had through the air against the Bulldogs, South Carolina chose to sit a bit deeper in coverage the following week. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken adjusted to a ground-heavy attack and gashed the Gamecocks for 332 yards rushing. That is the beauty of having such a talented quarterback. Opponents finally have to respect Georgia’s passing game, and that will create massive opportunities in the run game.
Weather permitting, Georgia should be able to find success in both phases against a Missouri defense that struggled badly last week in a shootout win over Arkansas. Freshman quarterback KJ Jefferson torched the Tigers secondary in his first career start for 274 yards and 3 TDs, while the Razorbacks ground attack also rushed for 292 yards. Expect a similar balance from Georgia on Saturday with Daniels and the seemingly endless stable of running backs at the Dawgs’ disposal being the main beneficiaries.
Georgia’s Run Defense vs. Missouri’s Rushing Attack
Defensive tackle Jordan Davis is officially listed as questionable to play on Saturday, but even if he can go, Georgia’s defensive front continues to be banged up heading into this game. Enter Missouri’s incredibly strong run game led by Larry Roundtree III. The Tigers are averaging 154 yards per game on the ground this year, and Roundtree is coming off of a tremendous game in which he had 27 carries for 185 yards and 3 TDs.
Expect Missouri to try to establish the run early and attempt to control the clock in order to keep JT Daniels and company off of the field. Having Davis back would be a huge boost to a defensive line that is already missing starting nose tackle Julian Rochester, and being able to limit the run game and make Missouri one-dimensional on offense should be enough to help Georgia see out a win.
Will Georgia Be Motivated?
It has been an incredibly strange year in college football, with COVID issues forcing cancellations and postponements across the country. Couple that with the fact that Georgia has already been eliminated from SEC and National title contention, and one can’t help but wonder what the team’s motivation level will be heading into what amounts to a meaningless game. Georgia is only playing for pride at this point, and if they let complacency seep in, they could easily lose this game. Missouri is having a much stronger than anticipated debut season under coach Eli Drinkawitz, and you know that they will be fired up for a chance to beat the mighty Bulldogs.
It will be up to Kirby Smart and his staff to make sure that his players are ready and fired up for this one and the following week against Vanderbilt, as an 8-2 season with a probable top 6 finish would still qualify as an excellent year, especially given all of the uncertainty in the sport in 2020. It’s a major testament to the job that Smart has done that Dawg players and fans have gotten so used to playing incredibly meaningful football in December every year, but winning these last two games and carrying momentum into 2021 is now of the utmost importance to the program.
Prediction
Missouri is a very good football team and has proved it week in and week out. They are balanced on offense and have schemed very well to win their last three games against South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas. Georgia definitely cannot afford to overlook them, but I do not see that being a problem. The momentum that JT Daniels has brought to this team the past few weeks should provide the boost that the Dawgs need to win this one comfortably and head into the final game against Vanderbilt at 7-2.
Georgia 34 – Missouri 17
