The Georgia Bulldogs routed Vanderbilt 44-17 on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Missouri Tigers enjoyed a break from competition after a gritty 21-20 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks on September 27. The two top teams in SEC East meet on Saturday to decide the top spot of the division.
Will the Georgia Bulldogs’ running game continue to dominate even in hostile territory? Or will the Tigers take control of the division they won last season? Read on as we give you a complete preview for this SEC East showdown.
Another showdown between Tigers and Bulldogs is on deck as undefeated teams Auburn and Mississippi State (preview) jockey for position in a crowded SEC West.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Georgia Bulldogs vs. Missouri Tigers Preview
Where: Faurot Field, Columbia
When: Saturday, October 11, TBA
Line: Georgia Bulldogs at Missouri Tigers – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the Georgia Bulldogs
Everything is clicking for Georgia as they are now on a three-game winning streak after their win over Vanderbilt. The spotlight was again on star running back Todd Gurley last week, who made several excellent plays. He immediately put the Bulldogs ahead 14-0 with back-to-back touchdown runs of five and 14 yards, and finished with 163 yards on 25 carries. Gurley also threw a 50-yard pass, the Bulldog’s longest completion of the season, to tight end Jed Blazevich from the wildcat formation.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Meanwhile, quarterback Hutson Mason passed 11-for-17 for 121 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He threw two touchdown passes of 44 and five yards to wide receiver Chris Conley. While he hasn’t thrown for above 200 yards this season, Mason should be able to keep Missouri’s defense off-balance by throwing some bombs when they least expect it. Missouri has allowed 236.4 passing yards per game, ninth in the SEC.
Georgia would do well to study Missouri’s home loss to Indiana on September 20. The Tigers were burned for 241 rushing yards in the game by the best running team they have faced so far. With Gurley leading the SEC with 773 rushing yards, the Bulldogs should be able to navigate the holes left by Missouri’s defense for another excellent performance on the ground.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs also have a capable secondary to give Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk some headaches. Devin Bowman had a pick-six against Vanderbilt, his first interception of the season, while fellow defensive backs Tramel Terry, Damian Swann and Aaron Davis each have a pick so far this season.
The total has gone over in all five of Georgia’s games this season.
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Betting on the Missouri Tigers
The Missouri Tigers’ offense, which was averaging 400 total yards per game, only had 280 against South Carolina, 119 of which came on the final two drives. But despite a drop in production, Mizzou still managed to squeak by the Gamecocks, 21-20, on the road.
Maty Mauk only completed 12 of 34 passes for 132 yards, but made the most important throws of the game a 41-yard bomb to Bud Sasser and a 26-yard pass to Wesley Leftwich to South Carolina’s one-yard line, where running back Russel Hansbrough eventually scored. Hansbrough finished with 43 yards on 10 carries, and scored two of his three touchdowns in the Tigers’ last two drives.
Despite the comeback, Mauk’s performance was disappointing. He was limited to 57 yards in the first half by the Gamecocks’ pass defense, which was next to last in the SEC coming into the game. The Tigers’ 2-for-16 third down conversions reflected their offensive struggles, although they did convert on all three attempts on fourth down.
The Tigers may continue to struggle against Georgia’s defense which has allowed only 22 of 76 third down conversions this season. Meanwhile, Missouri’s run defense needs to sharpen up if they wish to stop Georgia’s Todd Gurley from trampling all over them. The Tigers are allowing 164.40 rushing yards and two touchdowns per game. The total has gone over in Missouri’s last two games against Georgia.
The Tigers are coming off a bye week. Missouri is 3-0 coming off a bye since 2012.
Writer’s Prediction
Todd Gurley capitalizes on Missouri’s defensive holes en route to another excellent rushing performance and a win.
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