It’s a familiar setup for Georgia football for Saturday’s game against Missouri.

Still riding high from a stand-up-and-take notice victory in a prime-time matchup that catapulted the Bulldogs to No. 1 in the polls and returned home as a double-digit favorite.

Things didn’t go so well on Oct. 17, the last time Georgia played in Sanford Stadium, under this scenario.

The Bulldogs followed a 20-17 win at No. 7 Alabama by turning the ball over four times and stunningly losing to unranked Auburn 27-24.

This time, Georgia punished then No. 12 Ole Miss 42-7 Saturday night in Oxford.

The Bulldogs were emotionally invested in that game given the Rebels ended Georgia’s season in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 1 and blew them out in 2024 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

“You can’t chill,” offensive guard Dontrell Glover said. “You’ve always got to be in tune in the SEC.”

Missouri is unranked in the coaches and AP poll but No. 22 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC) is No. 1 now in the CFP top 25.

The Tigers (6-3, 3-3) routed Florida 45-17 on Oct. 3 when the Gators were ranked No. 8.

They lost to Texas last week 34-20, a game that was tied until 5:03 to go.

Nickel back Khalil Barnes said Georgia didn’t have poor practices before the Auburn game, it just didn’t execute on game day. Missed tackles hurt Georgia that day.

Missouri will have to go up against a Georgia defense that allowed 8 points to Florida and 7 to Ole Miss. That’s the first time the Bulldogs have held SEC teams to single digits in back-to-back games since Florida and Missouri in 2021.

“They are playing at a level that I have not seen since the 21, 22, 23 season on the defensive side of the ball,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “Of course, I haven't played them since then, we didn't play for two years, but man, when you watch the tape, it's very similar. Multiple fronts, multiple pressures, elite back end players.”

Georgia vs. Missouri predictions

The Ole Miss win was hardly all about the defense.

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton had his best game from a passing efficiency standpoint in an SEC start in his career (252.2). Nate Frazier hit the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time all season.

The Bulldogs ran for 295 yards and Stockton didn’t throw much but when he did he made the most of it, going 9 of 15 for 186 yards and 4 touchdowns.

“When you’re able to run the ball, it makes it hard to defend,” Stockton said. “It makes it hard to defend both."

Stockton also rushed for 28 yards and a touchdown.

“Not nearly enough talk about him being a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, when you look at how they've won championships in the past, it all starts at that position,” Drinkwitz said. “He is consistent as a thrower. He is sharp as a playmaker. Utilizes his legs as an extra offensive weapon. He does not make mistakes in the pass game. Gets them right in the run game checks. I think he is a really, really good player."

Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo dialed up plays that produced seven different players rushing for 14 or more yards including tight end Jaden Reddell and wide receiver Sacovie-White Helton.

Frazier’s 107 yards came on a season-high 16 carries as he hit his stride after dealing with a rib injury this season.

“It’s another explosive player on offense,” Glover said. “It just makes us a better offense.”

Missouri ranks 13th in the nation in stopping the run at 95.8 yards per game.

“What we need to be productive is move people,” Glover said.

Georgia vs. Missouri scouting report

Why Georgia has an advantage: The Auburn loss surely will be talked about around the team and should provide motivation to avoid any complacency. The Bulldogs are coming off their most complete game of the season which doesn't bode well for the Tigers pulling a major upset.

Why Missouri has an advantage: The Tigers ability to stop the run--it has held seven opponents to 93 yards or less rushing each--could force Georgia to throw the ball more than it would like and that could create interception opportunities that could put the Tigers within striking distance with short fields. QB Austin Simmons hasn't put the ball in harm's way much with 18 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions.

Georgia vs. Missouri injury updates

Georgia: DT Josh Horton (undisclosed, questionable), OLB Amaris Williams (knee, out).

Missouri: DE Langden Kitchen (leg, out), RB Malae Fonoti (undisclosed, out), OL Josh Atkins (undisclosed, out), TE Gavin Hoffman (undisclosed, out).

Prediction

Georgia 34, Missouri 10: The Tigers have scored 21 and 6 points in their previous two visits to Athens under Eli Drinkwitz and these Tigers rank ninth in the SEC in scoring. Georgia is averaging 33.9 points per game in SEC play and the Bulldogs continue to make enough big plays in the passing game to reach that number and contain SEC leading rusher Jamal Roberts.

Georgia vs. Missouri scouting report: What we're watching

Missouri pass rusher Darris Smith: Georgia does not have anybody on its roster that played in the Bulldogs' national championship win over TCU in the 2022 season, but Missouri does. That is Smith, who transferred from Georgia after the 2023 season and now is in his third season with the Tigers. He has a sack and a fumble recovery for touchdown this season.

If Georgia can avoid turnovers: Georgia's only loss of the season came when Gunner Stockton had 2 interceptions and a fumble against Auburn. It led to the Bulldogs losing on a day it outgained Auburn 440-366. Missouri ranks 18th in the nation with 15 turnovers gained and eighth in turnover margin at plus-9. The Tigers have forced six turnovers the last two games against Arkansas and Texas,

Georgia's run defense: Jamal Roberts is tied for the nation's lead in rushing attempts per game at 23.2, but was held to 39 yards in a loss three weeks ago to Ole Miss and 66 last week in a loss to Texas. Ahmad Hardy rushed for 1,649 yards in 2025, but has just 3 carries since returning from a gunshot wound. "Two guys that run downhill," Georgia defensive back Khalil Barnes said. Barnes said Georgia's No. 6 in the nation run defense needs to be "gap-sound."

Georgia WR Isiah Canion: The Georgia Tech transfer was back on the field in Oxford playing for the first time since Sept. 19. He didn't have a catch but a pass downfield near the sideline went off his chest. Getting the Canion that coaches brought in to provide a playmaker with size on the outside would boost Georgia as it makes its postseason push.

Bold predictions for Georgia football vs Missouri

Gunner Stockton throws for more than 250 yards: Georgia's quarterback has hit the 250 passing yards mark just twice this season against Vanderbilt and Auburn. This is the best run defense Georgia has faced this season, but the Tigers rank 12th in the SEC in passing yards allowed at 234.7 yards per game and their 16 touchdown passes given up is tied for second most.

Missouri red zone issues will continue: The Tigers are tied for 122nd in touchdowns in the red zone at 50% (9 of 18), per cfbstats.com Georgia ranks just 70th nationally in keeping opponents from scoring touchdowns at 68.4%, but it's turning the corner after opponents have scored TDs just twice in four trips the last two games.

Georgia will block a field goal: Missouri's field goal troubles include having three field goals blocked this season. Georgia has one field goal block this season. This would be a prime chance to add another especially with the Tigers troubles in the red zone.

Missouri will get multiple sacks: Georgia has allowed just 10 sacks all season, but six of those have come in the last three games. The Tigers have two players who rank in the top 5 in the SEC in sacks in edge rusher Daeden Hopkins with 7 and defensive tackle Donta Simpson with 6. "They've got one of the most disruptive fronts in the league," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football vs Missouri scouting report, bold predictions, injury updates

Source: Yahoo Sports