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This weekend’s contest between Georgia and Missouri became much more interesting after the Bulldogs struggled against Nicholls and the Tigers had an offensive explosion against Eastern Michigan.
Since joining they joined the SEC, the Tigers have been a strong adversary for the Bulldogs in the division. Both teams are under new management, however, and it remains to be seen how they will look in this new iteration of the budding rivalry.
Let’s go to the tape to assess who has the edge:
QBs Jacob Eason/Greyson Lambert vs. Mizzou pass defense: As with the first two games, it remains to be seen who Georgia will start at quarterback. Eason clearly is the most talented, but Lambert would provide veteran experience on the road against an SEC foe.
Missouri’s pass defense was expected to be a strength in 2016, and while the Tigers’ secondary has played well, there has not been much life from the pass rush. With only one sack in two games, Missouri allowed West Virginia and Eastern Michigan to execute their passing offense.
Cornerback Aarion Penton and safeties Anthony Sherrils and Thomas Wilson have made plays in bunches this season. Missouri has 20 passes defended, so the secondary has done a good job of covering up the lack of pressure up front.
Georgia OC Jim Chaney has been creative, however, and he’s shown the willingness to get the ball to his receivers in unorthodox ways. The Tigers’ secondary is strong, but the Bulldogs may not give them a chance to make many plays. Given what we’ve seen from the pass rush so far, Georgia should have plenty of time to find the open man.
Edge: UGA (slightly)
RB Nick Chubb & Co. vs. Mizzou run defense: Georgia’s line needs to play much better against Missouri than it did against Nicholls, but the Bulldogs’ run game remains the strength of their offense.
Chubb missed last year’s Missouri game with an injury, but did make his first career start against the Tigers, gaining 143 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries. The Bulldogs should finally have their full complement of backs available, which won’t make life any easier for the Tigers.
Donavin Newsom and Michael Scherer are a talented linebacker duo for Missouri and have combined for 30 tackles. The Tigers’ defensive line hasn’t been bad against the run, but they aren’t making many plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Missouri has given up an average of 191 yards per game and will face its toughest challenge on the ground against Georgia.
Edge: UGA
UGA wide receivers vs. Mizzou secondary: The Bulldogs are still waiting to have an explosive outing in the passing game, but they’d like to see another receiver step up alongside Isaiah McKenzie.
McKenzie has been a pleasant surprise for Georgia thus far, but much of his production has come after the catch. It’s yet to be discovered how he will fare if an opponent is determined to shut him down.
Missouri’s secondary is capable of doing just that. They are very good in pass coverage, and like to make plays with the ball in the air. It might not be an easy day for the Bulldogs’ receivers down the field.
Edge: Mizzou
Drew Lock vs. UGA pass defense: Through two games, Drew Lock has been strong. He’s completed 47 passes for 730 yards and 6 touchdowns with zero interceptions.
He will face a tough test against Georgia’s strong pass coverage, though. The nation’s No. 1 pass defense last season appears to be picking up right where it left off. Georgia held a very good North Carolina passing game in check during its season opener, and has the veteran experience needed to confuse opposing quarterbacks.
Georgia’s pass rush hasn’t had a statistical breakthrough yet, but they did a good job of pressuring North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky. Linebacker Lorenzo Carter is capable of beating linemen around the edge, and defensive tackle Trenton Thompson is beginning to live up to his recruiting status on the interior.
Missouri has a very strong stable of receivers, who should be able to challenge the Bulldogs’ defensive backs, but if Georgia is able to generate pressure, Lock could have trouble moving the ball downfield.
Edge: UGA
Mizzou running backs vs. UGA run defense: Alex Ross left with an ankle injury in Missouri’s win over Eastern Michigan, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against Georgia. Regardless, if Ross isn’t able to go, the Tigers still have two capable runners in Ish Witter and Damarea Crockett.
Missouri hasn’t been very threatening on the ground in 2016, and that might not change against Georgia. The Bulldogs showed they can be vulnerable to outside runs against North Carolina, but Missouri hasn’t shown it can take advantage of those opportunities.
Edge: UGA
Mizzou wide receivers vs UGA secondary: This will be the second time that Georgia’s secondary squares off against a talented receiver unit, and the first such test for Missouri.
In each game this season, the Tigers have had a pair of receivers surpass the 100-yard mark. J’Mon Moore and Chris Black achieved that feat against West Virginia, and Johnathon Johnson and Ray Wingo followed up against Eastern Michigan.
Black is a graduate-transfer from Alabama, and it’s a positive sign for Missouri that he got off to a fast start. Johnson earned Freshman of the Week honors for his impressive performance against Eastern Michigan – 115 yards and a touchdown on 5 catches, plus a 54-yard punt return touchdown.
Missouri is capable of spreading the ball around to a number of different options in the passing game. The Bulldogs have depth in the secondary, and should be able to hold their own across the board. This will be a great matchup to watch.
Edge: Push
Special teams: Both teams have some major question marks in this aspect of the game, but Missouri might have more answers.
Punter Corey Fatony has been solid thus far and averaged nearly 44 yards per punt against Eastern Michigan. Georgia has a nice punter of its own, however, in freshman Marshall Long, who has averaged over 42 yards per punt this season.
The Tigers appear to have a slight advantage in the return games. Johnson’s punt return for a touchdown isn’t likely to be a fluke, and he’s a threat with the ball in his hands. McKenzie is always capable of taking one to the house, but he had a nearly-devastating muffed punt late in Georgia’s win over Nicholls State.
The kicking game is where things get interesting. Georgia is still breaking in kicker William Ham, who looked better against Nicholls, but is still inconsistent at this point in his career. Missouri, though, may have more problems.
Tucker McCann missed two field goals in the season opener, which led to Missouri electing to go with Turner Adams against Eastern Michigan. Adams missed an extra point, however, and the Tigers turned back to McCann, who then promptly missed an extra point. The kicking struggles even led Barry Odom to joke on his radio show that he thought about pulling a student out of the stands to attempt an extra point.
Both teams have strengths and weaknesses, but neither is particularly strong in special teams.
Edge: Push
