Things that have to happen for Georgia Football to beat Missouri

Georgia Football will face a tough test against Missouri this weekend.

The No. 16 Bulldogs will travel to Columbia, Mo., to face the Missouri Tigers on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. eastern time on the SEC Network. Before the season, many people saw this game and marked it down as a presumed win for UGA far in advance. Who would blame them? After all, Missouri had just endured a losing season in 2015 and had won only one conference game that season.

But after Georgia’s abysmal performance against FCS Nicholls State last week, Dawg fans are worried how their relatively young team will fare in their first SEC road game of the season. Here are the things that have to happen if Georgia is to get a victory against Missouri on Saturday.

Offensive line play has to improve

This one is pretty obvious. For Georgia to have a chance in this game, the offensive line has to step up. The unit as a whole was beyond awful last week in their home opener and was the primary reason star running back Nick Chubb was held to 80 yards rushing and averaged only four yards per carry. Last week’s O-line performance was even more puzzling considering that the line played well against North Carolina in Week 1.

With the running game being the most critical part of Georgia’s offense, it is paramount for the offensive line to do its part to open up holes for the running backs. Also, with Georgia not knowing exactly what it has at quarterback, the line has to pass block well. That will not be an easy task against this Missouri defense.

Missouri’s defense was championship level in 2015 and looks to replicate that form this year with many top playmakers back. The defense is led by a defensive line that has been a powerhouse unit for Missouri over the past several years. This position group just seems to reload every year. (Look at Michael Sam, Kony Ealy, Shane Ray, etc. if you need a refresher).

The defensive linemen corps at Missouri is as strong as ever led by All-SEC end Charles Harris, Freshman All-American Terry Beckner Jr. and Josh Augusta among others. Georgia will also have to handle a top linebacking corps led by playmaking inside linebacker Michael Scherrer, who is Mizzou’s returning leading tackler with 93 tackles in 2015. So it is safe to say that the Georgia offensive line will have their hands full on Saturday night.

The offense has to develop a rhythm

People that have paid attention to the UGA offense this season know that the offense has never really flowed all that well together. That is in large part due to having an ongoing quarterback battle.

Stud defensive end Charles Harris is arguably the most prominant player on the Mizzou defense. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Georgia is still in the same boat heading into Week 3’s game of not knowing who their quarterback will be. (I think the Georgia coaches should stick with Eason personally.) Georgia needs to pick a quarterback and stay with him. That is the main way the offense can develop chemistry. Also, if the line blocks and receivers quit dropping passes it will help too.

That is going to be difficult against such a talented defense. However, it will be paramount to get in an offensive flow and put up points if you are Jim Chaney and crew.

Georgia’s special teams cannot disappoint again

William Ham cannot continue to miss at least a field goal per game. That is going to hurt the Dawgs down the line. In 2015, Georgia only scored field goals against Missouri even though the Dawgs won. It will be important for Georgia to make their field goal tries against a defense that will most likely force a good many.

Also, Georgia has to improve in the return game from last week. Isaiah McKenzie looked dangerous in the first game but was held at bay in the Nicholls State game. “The Human Joystick” needs to step up and provide more big plays in the return game.