No. 1 Georgia (4-0) will travel to Missouri (2-2) on Saturday for the Bulldogs’ second SEC road test this season.
UGA is coming off a rocky performance at home versus Kent State. The Dawgs won, 39-22, but committed three turnovers and allowed the most points this season and the most since the 2021 SEC Championship game versus Alabama (41 points).
UGA is a 28-point favorite versus the Tigers.
Here’s a prediction and five reasons the Bulldogs rebound and cover the spread in Columbia.
Tigers reeling on defense
Missouri is coming off a heartbreaking, 17-14, loss at Auburn in double overtime.
Auburn was down to its fourth-string quarterback at one point, and Missouri wasn’t able to take advantage.
The Tigers are allowing 24.5 points per game, among the worst in the SEC. They’ll face a Georgia offense that is putting up 42.3 points a contest, which is third-best in the conference.
Turnovers
Yes, Georgia gave away three turnovers a week ago, but UGA did not allow any through the first three games and maintains a plus-four turnover margin.
The Tigers, on the other hand, have a minus-three turnover margin.
Sophomore quarterback Brady Cook has four interceptions on the season, while the Georgia defense has six interceptions thus far.
Can the Tigers score?
Missouri’s offense is putting up 28 points per game, 11th best in the country, while UGA maintains one of the nation’s top scoring defenses at 8 points per game.
The 22 points allowed to Kent State may be more of a fluke caused by turnovers than anything, as the Bulldogs have suffocated better offenses this season.
No. 13 Oregon scored three points in the season opener. South Carolina scored a garbage time touchdown in the fourth quarter with backups on the field and Samford was shut out in Week 3.
With Georgia’s knack for keeping opponents out of the end zone and Missouri’s offensive struggles, I expect the Tigers to barely find UGA’s side of the field.
Key stars return
Georgia was without defensive tackle Jalen Carter and receiver Adonai Mitchell in Week 4 with ankle injuries.
Both are hopeful for the Missouri matchup, per Kirby Smart.
Carter, a preseason All-American, is a huge piece of the Bulldogs front and is adept at eating up double-teams and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Mitchell provides a jump-ball advantage and sure hands. The sophomore had a big performance versus Oregon in the season opener, racking up 73 yards on five catches, including an 18-yard touchdown grab.
The Dawgs will get a boost if both suit up on Saturday.
Rebound game
Georgia looked out of character against Kent State. The turnovers, yards allowed after the catch and McConkey’s bad day left the Bulldogs with a sour taste in their mouths headed into Week 5.
Unfortunately for Missouri, it’s the Tigers that have to face this UGA team looking to make up for the mistakes in Athens.
Prediction
I expect Georgia to take advantage of Missouri’s turnover-prone offense and exploit the holes in the Tiger’s defense on Saturday night.
I don’t foresee many punts for the Bulldogs, who hold a 16-0 road record versus the SEC East under Kirby Smart.
Prediction: 42-7
Georgia wins, covers and moves to 5-0.
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Get ready for game day! Former Georgia All-SEC and NFL pro tackle, John Theus, joins our podcast to tell stories of his time in Athens and thoughts on the 2022 season. Listen here.
