Missouri vs Georgia: Score Predictions from the Site Experts
The Missouri Tigers are 9-0 in their last nine November football matchups, as they are set to take on the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens this Saturday. The Dawgs are a 16.5 favorite currently, after opening as a 17.0 favorite, according to guys over at Sportsline.com
The Missouri Tigers should not be overlooked despite some head-scratching results from some of their recent games. Even though they have a measly 1-7 record all-time against the Bulldogs, Mizzou has always been competitive. The average margin of victory for Georgia in the last 4 match-ups is just above 8 points.
Here are the Site Expert's score predictions for the contest:
Hunter Gosseck (Georgia Wins, 45-14)
While this game has the look and feel of a classic trap game, I expect the Bulldogs to stay focused and handle business in Sanford on Saturday. Kirby has already begun the narrative of not overlooking Mizzou as they have always been competitive against Georgia just not successful as far as wins go. Mizzou comes in with a 5-3 record and all 3 losses have come on the road including a season-opening loss to Wyoming. At home, the Tiger offense scores an average of 40 points per game. On the road, they score an average of 17. Don't expect anything different here. Georgia has arguably the best defense in the SEC right now and I look for their dominance to continue here. I also look for Georgia's offense to hit a new stride here, with multiple wide receivers having explosive catches and scores.
This is the time of year when Fromm really hits another gear, and the Dawgs need with a tough November ahead. Look for UGA to flex some serious muscle Saturday and cover the 16.5 point spread. Georgia wins easily. Georgia 45, Mizzou 14.
Brent Wilson (Georgia Wins, 28-10)
Coming off of an emotional win against Florida, everyone is expecting Georgia to come out to a slow start against a refreshed Missouri team. However, this Georgia Bulldog football team knows the same implications of last week's game will apply to this week. Like we saw in 2017 and 2018 with Kirby Smart making sure his team stayed focused each week to win out following a regular-season loss. I expect the same here to close out the 2019 season.
While Missouri has the fatigue-advantage, or lack thereof, coming off a bye week, that doesn't hide Missouri's recent offensive woes. The Tigers have combined for just 21 points in the last two games versus Kentucky and Vanderbilt, both losses. If the Tigers can't score on some of the average SEC defenses, they're going to have trouble scoring on the #1 defense in the SEC. The Bulldogs should handle the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball. As for the offense, Georgia will need more variety in the play calling from James Coley, as they had last week against Florida. Expect Georgia to keep throwing to their key target in Lawrence Cager while mixing in off-tackle runs with D'Andre Swift and Brian Herrien.
If Georgia keeps the offense rolling, they'll have no problem winning this game. Dawgs roll 28-10.
RB, D'Andre Swift @ Missouri last season
Jordan Jackson (Georgia Wins, 31-13)
The Georgia Bulldogs passing game will be challenged by facing a solid Missouri defense that is number one in the SEC against the pass. However, they rank just seventh in the conference against the run. That is a recipe for disaster against D'Andre Swift and the vaunted Dawgs rushing attack. It will be very difficult for Missouri to hold up against the Georgia ground and pound onslaught for four quarters.
Defensively, UGA must be concerned with the dual-threat ability of Kelly Bryant. The Dawgs must stay home on the backside and keep contain against him in the run game. The remaining players rallying to the football to stop running back Larry Roundtree III will be paramount. UGA must pay special attention to running backs and tight ends in the passing game, as only one wide receiver is among Missouri's top targets. J.R. Reed, Tae Crowder, Monty Rice, and the crew are certainly up for the challenge. Forcing turnovers, or the lack thereof is one area the Bulldogs defense must improve in and I expect that they will add at least one to that total this week. Dawgs win 31-13.
Brooks Austin (Georgia Wins, 37-17)
The Missouri defense will attempt to slant and slash their way to success against the Bulldog's offense. The only problem, with a savvy offensive line coach like Sam Pittman, and an experienced and powerful offensive line like Georgia's is destined to gash such a schematic design.
Missouri gave up 295 yards on the ground in a monsoon in their last matchup against a one-dimensional attack from Kentucky. I am forecasting the Dawgs put up a performance on the ground that's eerily similar to the 323-yard performance against Vanderbilt to open the season.
Defensively, Georgia's redzone defense is ranked 2nd in the FBS, while Mizzou is ranked 124th in redzone offense. Look for Kirby Smart's defense to keep things in front and live to fight in the redzone. Dawgs win big, 37-17.
