At 3:30 later today, our top-ranked Dawgs return home for the first time since mid-October to face the 22nd ranked Missouri Tigers (unranked in both the Coaches and AP). The last time the Dawgs were at home we laid an egg in what is turning out to be a terrible loss to Auburn before the bye week. Missouri has lost 3 of their last 6 giving up over 30 points in each of those losses to Texas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Whatever fleeting playoff hopes the Tigers continue to have are on the line today in Athens. Let’s get to the preview.
When Georgia has the ball
As mentioned in the first look, Missouri has generally been stout against the run with one significant exception … the pasting they took from Ole Miss in Oxford. I look for the Tigers to throw everything they can and more to stop the Georgia running game that is churning out yards and explosive running plays by the bunches. That makes the play action passing game less effective. All of that gets set up by stellar offensive line play … which makes the following graphic not encouraging:
Drew Bobo has moved from questionable to doubtful for this afternoon. Usually, that means at UGA that Drew is likely not to play today. Needless to say, that’s not good for the guys in red today given what Bobo has been to the Georgia line of scrimmage. The pre-game announcement of the starters today will be closely watched by your humble blogger. If Bobo doesn’t go, Malachi Toliver or Cortez Smith will be getting the start against an active Missouri defensive interior.
Even with this news, I expect the Georgia offense to get opportunities for explosive plays against a Missouri defense that can susceptible to giving up points.
When Missouri has the ball
Austin Simmons may be this year’s Trinidad Chambliss. He has played well for the Tigers and now has his full complement of running backs at his disposal. Caden Lee has been Simmons’ go to target throughout the season. For the total offense statistics the Tigers have rung up (414 yards per game), they have not put the points you would expect where they barely average 30 points per game which drops to 25.5 in SEC play. Now you face the defense that is 7th in the nation in scoring defense.
Similar to last week, can the defense play like its collective hair is on fire against Simmons? If so, I expect a relatively easy win. If not, this game could go to the 4th quarter like other recent games with Missouri have done.
What will happen
At this point in the season, I just want wins … style points be damned (I’ll have a different perspective on Thanksgiving weekend). If the Dawgs take care of the ball, I expect us to win. It’s interesting the spread has moved up a point during the week even with Bobo’s status at center in question. TEXballer and others can correct me if I’m wrong about the betting markets, but that report would indicate the sharps don’t think that’s going to impact the game. Still, to me, that spread seems a little large for a team coming off a big win on the road against an opponent potentially playing for their season.
Dawgs win comfortably but don’t quite cover the spread.
Final score: Georgia 38, Missouri 24
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
This also serves as the Georgia game day thread, so, as always, keep it civil.
Honestly don’t see how Missouri scores 20 here. Simmons is the flavor of the week in QBs that will give us trouble. Ask Ole Miss how that worked for them. Dawgs cover.
I hope you’re right!
Didn’t Toliver replace Bobo last year? I seem to remember he took the doubts to heart and put a whipping on Bama. Hopefully he steps up again today.
He also did not play well against Ole Miss the 2nd time around.
FWIW, SEC Nation is saying this is a lingering back issue and they are expecting Bobo to play.
Almost as soon as I posted the above, they are saying Bobo is now listed as out.
WTH? I missed that announcement.
I’m tired of Cignetti
He & Kiffin, 2 peas in a pod
I’m tired of Curt Cignetti as he’s such a crybaby, always trying to make Indiana relevant while trying to tear the SEC down. He and Bret (“if we were in the SEC, we’d be in the top 15 at 6-3”) Bielema have bad cases of SEC envy. Neither seems to realize that PLAYING an SEC schedule is radically different than playing a BIG 10 schedule, hence the respect the committee has been giving the SEC in the rankings this year.
Drew Bobo’s injury concerns me after what happened last year when he went down. When exactly did he get hurt last week?
Illinois lost again last night.
Fuck them both & keep our fingers crossed for Bobo. No long term injury
Bret could not do it when he was in the SEC. He was hated at Arkansas. I hope he never wins.
If the OSU loses again, then the B?0 won’t have a strong team in the playoff.
Bobo makes Gunner more comfortable I hope he’s able to go. My years of PTSD watching prohibits me from being confident against any league opponent.
GATA crush these tigers.
Definitely concerned if Bobo doesn’t play, but at least the backups have had another year to develop. Could also move Helton to center, slide Gaston to guard and play Jah at tackle. But it’s personally cleaner to have a backup play at center. Missouri’s DL is really good. Hoping they let that physical game with Texas last week beat them up, mentally and physically. I have a feeling this is an anaconda game, stressful for fans but never in doubt. 24-13 Dawgs.
Bobo possibly being out is big if true. Expect some false starts, missed assignments and holding penalties with him out. Hope to see Gunner keep it rolling with Taylor and feed the Tight Ends. Go Dawgs.
“It’s a trick. It’s a hoe-axe!!”
Drew Bobo was not announced in stadium with the starters. Cortez Smith at center.
Enjoy the game and that beautiful football weather EE. Perfect day to see the Dawgs in Sanford.
DAMMIT BOBO! Just doing pre-game keyboard warmups.
Oooooh, baby! Them boys are playing like their hair’s on fire.
GATA!!!!!
Damn. That didn’t take long…
We keep playing like this and it’s thoughts and prayers for any and all future opponents.
Three straight jumping out to an early 14-0 lead. Let’s just keep piling on
At this rate we might crack 100. Hope Pugs gets to play the second half.
Bobo in his bag today. He’s dealing.