NO. 6 GEORGIA (7-1, 4-1 SEC) VS. MISSOURI (5-3, 2-2)
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019
7 p.m. at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia
VIDEO & RADIO
ESPN & 102.3 FM
THE MATCHUP
Georgia has used its imposing offensive line to control the line of scrimmage each week, and that was no more evident than last Saturday's 24-17 win over Florida. The Bulldogs had more than 36 minutes of possession time and limited the Gators to just 52 offensive plays. Georgia is looking to win time of possession for the ninth time in nine games and will face a defense still adjusting to the absence of senior middle linebacker Cale Garrett, the first Tigers defender ever to rack up touchdowns in three straight games. "Our guys understand that he's not coming back," Mizzou coach Barry Odom said. "The production Cale had through five weeks was as productive as any player in college football, and we've never put the ownership on him having to be replaced by one guy stepping into that role. Everybody on defense has to play better and the linebackers have played better each week since his absence, but we're about to be tested a great deal."
ONE TO WATCH
The Bulldogs are far more talented than the Tigers to begin with, and that gap could widen if quarterback Kelly Bryant hasn't fully recovered from the hamstring injury that knocked him out of a 29-7 loss at Kentucky on Oct. 26. Bryant, a graduate transfer from Clemson, has completed 140 of 225 passes (62.2%) for 1,845 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions in his lone season in the Southeastern Conference. "The quarterback run element is always hard to prepare for, and he has a lot of experience in big games," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "He has been in these kind of stadiums. I've got a lot of respect for the way he plays. He plays with toughness and passion."
IN THE END
Missouri's rushing offense has been mediocre lately with 153 yards at Vanderbilt and 125 at Kentucky, so Georgia's streak of not allowing a rushing touchdown this season could remain alive and well. "That is not really something we talk about," senior linebacker Tae Crowder said. "We just come to practice and work at it." The Bulldogs did not have a Jacksonville hangover a year ago with their 34-17 win at Kentucky, and they should cruise tonight as well.
PREDICTION
Georgia 31, Missouri 12
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.