Georgia football takes on the Missouri Tigers. This game is massive, the biggest game these two have ever played while facing each other. This game is for the inside track for the SEC East and is more than likely to win the SEC East. Georgia is undefeated and top-ranked, while Mizzou has suffered one loss but still has a ton of hope.
While this game is significant for the SEC East title, there is little history between the two schools. The Tigers joined the SEC in 2012, moving from the Big 12. The move of Mizzou and A&M in 2012 to the SEC started this whole realignment that we have today. It’s another reason to hate both schools.
Georgia and Mizzou met for the first time as SEC foes in 2012, and that matchup was Mizzou’s first game playing in the SEC. That game, if you remember, was the game where Mizzou defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson said Georgia played “old man football.” Jarvis Jones and company introduced Mizzou to grown-man football and won the game 41-20.
The first meeting between Georgia and Mizzou was the 1960 Orange Bowl. That 1959 Georgia team was 9-1, the first SEC champion in 11 years, and led by Fran Tarkenton. That 1959 team is remembered fondly by many older Georgia fans. I grew up with one, and he constantly talked about Francis Tarkenton and the ‘59 SEC Champions. Georgia beat the Tigers 14-0 to win the Orange Bowl for the first time. Georgia did not play in the Orange Bowl again until 2021 against Michigan.
Georgia is 11-1 all-time against Mizzou. The lone loss to Mizzou came in 2013. The game was played in Athens, and the Tigers went in there and jumped the Dawgs early. I remember that game because Georgia just came off an emotional victory over Tennessee up in Knoxville. That is the game. Pig Howard fumbled the ball in the endzone, and Georgia stole one from the Vols. I also remember the game because many guys were hurt, and Georgia did not have Todd Gurley or Keith Marshall for the game. Mizzou, in 2013, went on to play in the SEC championship against Auburn.
Last year’s game was the third-closest game the two have played. The first was in Smart’s first year in 2016, a one-point victory on the road against Mizzou. That is the game where Jacob Eason hit Isiah Mcinzine on 4th and forever to win the game, 28-27. The year before, in 2015, was the second closest game; that was also the last year of Mark Richt. That cold night in Athens will be remembered as the field goal game, which Georgia won 9-6. I was there, and it was miserable, but not for the weather, for the offensive display by both teams. That is also the game where Mark Richt told Marshall Morgan before he kicked the game-winning field goal that “We love you no matter what.”
Hopefully, this year’s matchup against Mizzou will not require Kirby Smart to whisper in Peyton Woodring’s ear to kick the game-winning field goal. More than likely, the Dawgs win this one running away. But who knows, as Kirby Smart always says, “humility is a week away.”