Missouri @ Georgia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2016 ) Georgia 28, Missouri 27

Fifth-ranked Georgia continues churning through opposing defenses and climbing up the national rankings, and enters Saturday’s home contest against Missouri looking to extend its best start in 12 years while maintaining control of the SEC East. Last week’s 45-14 rout of Vanderbilt featured the ingredients that have made the Bulldogs a legitimate conference title contender – an offense that rushed for 423 yards and a stingy defense that is third nationally in yards allowed per game.

“It’s nice when people think very highly of you,” Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith told reporters Monday, “but at the end of the day that stuff can go away just like that.” While the Bulldogs continue setting their sights on what could be, the Tigers arrive seeking their first conference victory after falling just short last week in a 40-34 defeat at Kentucky. Missouri has lost four in a row, three of the defeats coming by 18 points or more. “There’s a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel,” Missouri coach Dave Odom told reporters Monday. “We’re going to keep working and progressing to get there.”

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Georgia -30.5

ABOUT MISSOURI (1-4, 0-3 SEC): The Tigers feature the capability for big plays on offense and rank second in the SEC in total offense (469.2 yards per game), totaling 568 yards last week. Quarterback Drew Lock threw three touchdown passes last week, giving him 40 for his career, and wide receiver J’Mon Moore moved into 10th in school history in receiving yards (1,793 yards). Missouri’s biggest issues are on defense, as the Tigers are allowing 40 points per game.

ABOUT GEORGIA (6-0, 3-0): Freshman quarterback Jake Fromm passed for 102 yards and two touchdowns last week. The rushing tandem of Nick Chubb (SEC-leading 618 yards, eight touchdowns) and Sony Michel (406 yards, four scores) fuels a rushing attack that averages 268.3 yards per contest. The Georgia defense has allowed 10 points per game, tops in the conference and second in the country.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Missouri LB Terez Hall recorded a career-best 10 tackles last week and ranks second in the SEC in solo tackles and third in tackles for loss.

2. The Bulldogs hope DT Trenton Thompson (knee) and ILB Reggie Carter (undisclosed) will be able to play Saturday; both missed last week’s game.

3. Georgia has won five of the six matchups all-time against the Tigers, winning each of the past three seasons.

PREDICTION: Georgia 47, Missouri 20