Georgia Football: Bulldogs vs Tigers by the numbers
By Eric Taylor
Georgia football travels to Missouri to make up their November matchup.
As we come to the end of this crazy season Georgia football will travel to Missouri Saturday to take on the Tigers. This game is being made up after the original scheduling was postponed due to COVID 19. The last time these two met it was a cold rainy night in Athens and the Tigers didn’t score a single point. It was one of three shutouts pitched by Georgia’s elite defense in 2019.
However, it does not look like that feat will be duplicated as Missouri has scored 91 points in their last two games. Even though that was against Vanderbilt and Arkansas, it shows that the Tigers are very capable of scoring so Georgia will have to mind their Ps and Qs on defense. Regardless this game should go Georgia’s way, just like the series has since Missouri joined the SEC.
Missouri did enter the top 25 in the CFP poll this week, so this matchup is now officially a top 25 matchup. When both teams are ranked the series is a lot closer.
Overall Series: Georgia leads 8-1-0
Record when both teams are ranked: Georgia leads, 2-1-0
Record when only Georgia is ranked: Georgia leads, 5-0-0
Longest winning streak by Georgia: 6 games
Longest winning streak by Missouri: 1 game
Most points scored by Georgia: 53 (2017-10-14)
Most points scored by Missouri: 41 (2013-10-12)
Largest margin of victory by Georgia: +34 (2014-10-11)
Largest margin of victory by Missouri: +15 (2013-10-12)
Georgia football vs Missouri in 2020
Georgia football’s offense has been enjoying the JT Daniels experience for the last two games. Against Mississipi State, Georgia passed for the most yardage they have all season. They then followed that performance by running for the most yardage they have all season against South Carolina. Georgia’s offense looks night and day better now that they have a legit passing attack.
That’s not to take anything away from Georgia’s running game, their bread, and butter. However, it is tough to run against eight and nine-man boxes all the time. Now that teams can’t do that Zamir White, James Cook, and Kenny McIntosh are able to show off what they can bring to the offense. The trio combined for 267 yards and four touchdowns against the Gamecocks.
Speaking of running backs, the Tigers have a great one. Larry Roundtree III has 835 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. He has rushed for 345 yards and six touchdowns over his last two games. He is a load to bring down at 5-10 209 pounds.
Roundtree isn’t the only weapon the Tigers have though. True-freshman quarterback Connor Bazelak has passed for 698 yards over his last two games. Even though he has thrown just two interceptions on the season he has also only thrown five touchdowns all season, zero in the last two games.
Rushing Offense (National rank):
Georgia – 172.63 (No. 62)
Missouri – 153.63 (No. 75)
Passing Offense (National rank):
Georgia – 224.5 (No. 68)
Missouri – 281.1 (No. 27)
Total Offense (National rank):
Georgia – 397.1 (No. 63)
Missouri – 434.8 (No. 33)
Scoring Offense (National rank):
Georgia – 31.3 (No. 46)
Missouri – 27.6 (No. 73)
Georgia football’s defense has struggled over the second half of the season. However, over the last two games, they are giving up just 20 points, 316 yards, and 4.81 yards per play, a game. The improvement can be linked directly to the offense finally finding its rhythm and allowing the defense to catch its breath between series.
Georgia’s defense could get a big boost from the return of Jordan Davis this week. He has been practicing this week and that is a good sign. Georgia has missed their stud nose tackle dearly. The penetration he gets sets up the rest of the pass rushers and also makes it impossible for the opposing team to run the ball up the middle.
Kirby Smart mentioned Jordan Davis practicing in his latest press conference:
On the other hand, Missouri’s defense has allowed 48 points over the last two games. That does include a shutout against Vanderbilt. However, they gave up 48 points to the same Arkansas team that Georgia held to just ten points. So Georgia football shouldn’t have a problem putting the ball in the endzone against the Tigers.
Georgia’s offensive line better be ready for the Tigers’ pass rush though. They are averaging two sacks a game and with Daniels not 100% sure of his knee, his ability to escape pressure could be compromised. Now, Daniels did show some impressive escapability against South Carolina, but that kind of movement has not been consistent, as of now.
Rushing Defense (National rank):
Georgia – 75.25 (No. 3)
Missouri – 144.38 (No. 49)
Pass Defense (National rank):
Georgia – 262.9 (No. 100)
Missouri – 233.0 (No. 65
Total Defense (National rank):
Georgia – 338.1 (No. 25)
Missouri – 377.4 (No. 48)
Scoring Defense (National rank):
Georgia – 20.6 (No. 23)
Missouri – 27.9 (No. 59)
Even though Missouri looks improved this season this game will not be close. Yes, Missouri is now in the top 25 on the CFP poll, but after Georgia football embarrasses them on their own field they will once again be unranked. Georgia has the opportunity to build some momentum to carry into next season and that is exactly what they will do.