Major Matchups: Georgia at Missouri
We’re just a couple of days away from Georgia taking on Missouri in the Bulldogs second SEC game of the 2022 season. The Bulldogs are favored by four touchdowns despite being on the road.
Mizzou is trying to grab its first ever home win against Georgia. The Bulldogs are aiming to take care of business and execute at a much higher level than they did in a 39-22 home win over Kent State the last time out.
A lot of how this game will go will depend on the matchups. Below, DawgsHQ breaks down the big ones.
Georgia defensive backs vs. Missouri receivers Dominic Lovett and Luther Burden
Believe it or not, Lovett is the SEC’s leading receiver after four weeks. That’s pretty surprising considering how Missouri’s offense has really struggled against Power Five competition. He diminutive but explosive. The Bulldogs will have to keep tabs on him as well as Burden, who was a five-star prospect in the 2022 class.
Georgia has a gifted, experienced secondary, led by stud cornerback Kelee Ringo. Malaki Starks and Chris Smith are also tremendous playmakers from their safety positions and Dan Jackson is starting to come along in that area as well.
DawgsHQ’s take: These are the two most gifted playmakers for the Tigers. Burden hasn’t been super productive on offense but he’s capable. Lovett has been a force at times. Georgia does a good job of taking the opposing team’s best weapon away and there’s no reason to think this will be much different. A good plan will be in place.
UGA run scheme vs. Mizzou linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper
If Georgia wants to run the ball effectively, it’s going to have to find and get a body on Hopper. The guy has 26 tackles through four games, which is strong, but 23 of those tackles are solo. He does a good job of getting the guy on the ground and he has seven tackles for loss.
UGA’s offensive line is improving by the week. The pass protection, for the most part, has been great. The run blocking has taken some steps forward in recent weeks, evidenced by two games in a row of over 200 yards rushing.
DawgsHQ’s take: While the Georgia offensive line is improving with each week, one of the weaknesses has been working up to the second level. That aspect of the run blocking has been up and down. They’ll have to communicate well and time out their combo blocks.
Georgia tight ends vs. Missouri defensive backs and linebackers
The Tigers have faced one top 50 passing offense this season and it was Louisiana Tech in the opener. Both Auburn and Kansas State are outside of the top 100. Well, Louisiana Tech used an athletic tight end to, at times, shred the Mizzou defense.
We all know what Georgia has at the tight end position. Brock Bowers is the best in college football and Darnell Washington isn’t far behind.
DawgsHQ’s take: One of two things is going to happen. Either the Bulldog tight ends are going to light it up or Mizzou is going to overplay that aspect of the offense, freeing up other playmakers. A win for Missouri in this matchup probably won’t be a silver bullet because of what it will take.
