11/10/19
Dawgs Silence the Tigers 27-0
Cover Photo: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
By: Joshua Grosh
Another week and another strong defensive showing by the Dawgs. While not the prettiest of games, especially offensively, Georgia dominated Missouri thoroughly. The only downside, however, is the Georgia offense was fairly silent tonight – an unfortunate reversal of the positive signs we were beginning to see against Florida. Yet, let’s jump into the game more.
Offensively, Georgia was a bit hot and cold throughout the game. To start the game, Georgia was money through the air with two major pass plays of 25+ yards to get a touchdown. It showed incredible promise for a beleaguered Dawgs offense who desperately needs a route to help build morale. A second promising drive came after with a long, 68-yard drive that came up short for a field goal, a somewhat reoccurring issue at this point for the Georgia offense. Then, the second quarter happened where Georgia had three drives that amounted for a total of -13 yards – one of which was in Missouri’s own territory after a field flipping interception by Richard Lecounte. The offense just could not get out of its own way. Then, to add to the woes, Lawrence Cager went out with an injury – and at this point, he was the only reliable receiver seemingly. This seemed like it could be a nightmare situation for Georgia, but it may have brought Georgia a potential major plus – the breakout of George Pickens. Pickens has always been a big name for Dawg fans, but he was able to show it off today becoming the go to guy who got the offense going. With some rumors stating that Cager is alright and was held out just as a precaution, Georgia may have now found the added bite of having a second dynamic receiver – one who seems very prone to some incredible catches. If Fromm can keep this chemistry with both Pickens and Cager, Georgia’s offense may just be starting to get going in time for a daunting final stretch of games. As for my opinion of the offense, the passing issues to me seem to just be a continuing issue of chemistry. Fromm seems to be throwing accurately to players, sometimes occasionally overthrowing them; he even seems to be throwing far more confidently that he had been in the first half of the season. If the WRs and Fromm can just get the last bit of cohesion in, Georgia may be poised to surprise a lot of people down the stretch (and remember, Georgia almost had another long passing touchdown before it was called back for illegal formation for too many players in the backfield). While the offense is a headache to watch at times, Georgia has shown enough to tell me that if Georgia can get it clicking, this offense will be at least a little more productive.
Now, for the defense, what more is there to say than what we have stated before? This defense is championship quality. While Mizzou did not have its starting quarterback, this is still an up-tempo offense who had two weeks to prepare for the Georgia defense and still could not find a way to exploit it regularly. Georgia smothered the Tigers for pretty much the entire game outside of two drives (and one of those drives was when the defense was playing prevent for most it). In fact, Mizzou was held to its overall lowest offensive totals all season, 1st shut out of the season, lowest rushing total, and 2nd lowest passing yards total. Furthermore, Georgia even made a goal-line stand to preserve the longest current streak of no rushing touchdowns allowed in FBS (9 games) and allowed Georgia to tie for most shutouts in the nation this season (3). This Georgia defense is special, and if the offense can finally start clicking like it showed shades of doing today, Georgia may be able to be a formidable challenger for the SEC Championship and CFB Playoff.
MVP:
George Pickens – 5 catches, 67 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Richard Lecounte – 1 interception, 4 total tackles, 1 solo, and 0.5 tackles for a loss.
The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry is renewed again in a battle of top 25 teams. Auburn comes into the meet with SEC Championship game hopes dashed and nothing but upset on its mind as a current home favorite via ESPN. Auburn’s lone two losses are a close slug fest with LSU and Florida – both of which were on the road. Georgia will be facing an old demon as Kirby has yet to win on the road against an SEC West foe. To add to this, Georgia will be yet again facing an opponent who had a bye week to prepare for them. Georgia will need this win in order to keep playoff hopes alive and to officially lock up the SEC East division over Florida.
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