No. 22 Missouri vs. No. 1 Georgia Picks, Predictions & Preview: Does the Wagon Continue to Roll?

The No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs are coming off their most impressive win of the regular season in quite some time, and now the Missouri Tigers are coming to Athens.

Georgia just dismantled Ole Miss 42-7, while Missouri is fresh off a tough loss to Texas in a game the Tigers couldn’t quite finish.

This is going to be a physical college football matchup. Missouri has one of the better run defenses in the country, and Georgia is going to have to earn everything it gets on the ground.

On the other side, the Bulldogs have to find a way to shut down Missouri’s rushing attack and make quarterback Austin Simmons uncomfortable.

Let’s get into the keys to this football game.

Georgia Has to Shut Down Missouri’s Running Game

For me, the biggest key to this matchup is Georgia’s ability to stop the run.

Missouri runs a lot of stretch zone, and that puts a tremendous amount of responsibility on Georgia’s edge defenders.

I’m looking at Gabe Harris and Quintavius Johnson to have big football games. Those guys have to set firm edges and turn everything back inside, where the rest of the defense can rally to the football.

Say what you want about their ability to rush the passer – I know some Georgia fans have gotten on them about that this season.

But Harris and Johnson are incredible run defenders. This is exactly the kind of matchup where they can make a significant impact.

The Bulldogs also have to tackle. We saw what happened against Auburn when Byrum Brown was able to make plays. Then we saw Georgia completely shut down Ole Miss.

If Georgia plays with that same physicality and discipline, it’s going to be difficult for Missouri to establish its running game.

Austin Simmons Could Be Missouri’s Biggest X-Factor

The other major key is making Austin Simmons uncomfortable.

This guy is capable of making NFL-type throws that even the best defenses in football can’t stop.

But he’s also capable of missing a five-yard out route and making you wonder how in the world he missed that throw.

You cannot let Simmons get confident. If he starts heating up, he can make some incredible throws into tight windows.

I’m also keeping an eye on the health of Cayden Lee.

Lee is responsible for roughly 35% of Missouri’s completions this season. He’s the primary target in this offense, and if he’s not healthy, that’s a major problem for the Tigers.

Georgia has to make Simmons beat this defense without allowing him to get comfortable in the pocket.

Gunner Stockton Faces a Tough Missouri Defense

On the offensive side, this is a massive game for Gunner Stockton.

Missouri ranks 14th in the country against the run. They’re a physical bunch that can stuff the run with the best teams in the SEC.

Georgia has to stay diligent with its rushing attack, even if those big plays aren’t coming early.

Sometimes you’re going to get three yards. Sometimes you’re going to get four. And eventually, maybe you rip off a 17-yard run.

You can’t give up on it too early.

I also have a tremendous amount of respect for Missouri defensive coordinator Corey Batoon.

He does an excellent job disguising things defensively, particularly on critical downs. That can make life difficult for a quarterback.

Stockton has played a lot of football at this point, but he’s going to have to recognize those rotations and find answers after the snap.

Georgia also needs its offensive line to match Missouri’s physicality up front.

And I’d love to see Isiah Canion get a few more opportunities in the passing game. He got back on the field against Ole Miss, and Georgia wasn’t afraid to involve him in the offense.

This could be a game where he starts making some big plays again.

Missouri vs. Georgia Prediction

Here’s my bold prediction: Georgia holds Missouri below 3.2 yards per carry.

Just watch the Ole Miss tape. Let your big boys play, plug the gaps and build a wall. Force everything back inside and rally to the football.

I don’t think Missouri wants to come into Athens needing Austin Simmons to win this football game with his left arm.

The Tigers would much rather find a way to run the football, and I don’t think Georgia is going to let them do that.

I’m taking Georgia to win 31-17.

The Bulldogs have the defensive personnel to control the line of scrimmage, shut down Missouri’s running game and put Simmons in some difficult situations.