Missouri Tigers: 3 Keys To Victory Vs. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia Running back Todd Gurley. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

THE ‘THURSDAY THREE KEYS TO VICTORY’

Revenge certainly felt good for the Missouri Tigers two weeks ago, as they rallied late for a sweet 21-20, last minute victory over South Carolina. The Gamecocks, who had beaten Mizzou in similar fashion a year ago, got a nice dose of payback.

But now, the Tigers march on, with a much needed week off providing sustenance last weekend.

This week’s game with Georgia may be the granddaddy of them all in the SEC East. The winner takes complete control of the division. The loser gets to be in second place. And as wise man once said “If you aren’t in first place, you’re in last place.”

We were all sure that the previous game was going to be a shootout, and by a seriously strange turn of events, we were wrong. On paper, the Georgia meeting should in fact be a shootout. Both teams are weak in the defensive secondary, have good quarterbacks, competent receivers and talented running backs. We all know the Bulldog’s biggest threat– current Heisman front runner, tailback Todd Gurley. He alone, gives Georgia an explosive offensive advantage. But Mizzou too has an advantage in quarterback Maty Mauk, who has a knack for creating big plays– just ask Steve Spurrior.

This week, another shootout that won’t be a shootout that probably will be a shootout. Here’s how Mizzou can beat Georgia:

‘Somewhat’ contain Gurley

Sometimes, players like this are just too good to slow down, no matter how much preparation you put into the game. We’ve seen so far this year in the games the Bulldogs have won, opponents are staying in the game, but in the end, their elusive, monster of a running back is the X-factor in putting the game away. Mizzou does not have to be perfect in its run defense on Saturday; and how could anyone ask them to be? But if there’s one thing Tigers’ head coach Gary Pinkel and his staff is good at doing, its preparing the team for stopping a big name player. Even though Gurley missed last season’s meeting between these two teams, the coaching staff knows the best way to contain him.

Mizzou must run that play clock down close to “0” every time the game clock is moving. The longer they have the ball, the longer they can keep Gurley from getting the ball. It’s that simple.

The trick here is pretty simple. Mizzou must tackle well. Defensive coordinator Dave Steckel recently said in an interview about this game: “We’ve really got to grab body parts… If you go high, he’ll run you over. If you go low, he’ll jump over the top of you.” Strong, aggressive tackling will go a long way in at least limiting Gurley enough to keep Mizzou in this game.

Keep the ball out of Georgia’s hands

There’s one way to slow down Todd Gurley: keep him out of the game all together. In Georgia’s late-game win against Tennessee two weeks ago, the Volunteers were so close to pulling off the upset– they just couldn’t keep the ball for long enough. Whenever they found a way to put together a drive, it took precious time off the clock, but not enough. When Georgia got the ball back, Georgia went to work, at times scoring fast. All they had to do was unleash the beast that is Todd Gurley, and a lead or tie that Georgia had given up would quickly be eradicated.

In this game, Missouri must strategize to keep drives going. 10 consecutive failed third downs– like we saw in their game against South Carolina– is not going to cut it. But not only must they stretch out drives distance-wise, they must also do it with time. Too many times, Missouri runs a hurry-up or no huddle at the wrong time, and then snaps the ball with 20, 22 or even 25 seconds left on the play clock. Saturday, Mizzou must run that play clock down close to “0” every time the game clock is moving. The longer they have the ball, the longer they can keep Gurley from getting the ball. It’s that simple.

Live Feed

South Bound & Down

Mizzou must beat Georgia with the pass

This might be the biggest key to the game for the Tigers. Georgia’s secondary is weak– weaker than maybe South Carolina’s (who we all said the Tigers need to take advantage of but didn’t until the final two drives of the game). In this game, Missouri absolutely must attack Georgia vertically, and challenge defensive backs down the field.

This, of course, is easier said than done. That’s especially the case with the offensive line in the current condition that it is. With the injured OT Anthony Gatti done for the year, MU had to mix things up at the offensive line with very mixed results in the S.C. game. The truth is Mizzou’s passing offense looked broken. But that doesn’t mean that it is.

Quarterback Maty Mauk was being chased around for most of the game anytime he dropped back to pass, not finding his groove until the very end– although that groove was very well timed indeed. This Saturday, Mizzou must find a way to stop a bulky Georgia D-line enough for Mauk to move around comfortably, and the Tigers need to push big pass plays down the field. If Mauk and crew can get their engine going early, the Tigers can put themselves in position to win.