The Missouri Tigers are coming into the contest against the Georgia Bulldogs as an underdog and rightfully so. Missouri has had a good season and flashed signs of greatness. The big question will be, can Missouri play to that level against the Georgia Bulldogs in an hostile environment like Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia?
Depending on which Missouri football team you get in Athens will be the biggest factor. However, if the Tigers can cause a few things to happen and have some situations go their way, then they can come out of Athens with a big win. The Georgia Bulldogs have proven to be tough to beat and you can bet that Athens will be rocking for this contest come Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET (televised on ABC).
It's been since 2013
the Missouri Tigers have defeated the Georgia Bulldogs. The Tigers won that game 41-26 in Athens. The last time these teams played, the Bulldogs handled business with a 30-21 home victory in 2023.
Let's take a glance at three ways the Missouri Tigers could defeat the red hot Georgia Bulldogs this weekend in Athens.
Missouri defense winning the turnover margin
The Tigers will cause turnovers on the Georgia offense, which could make it a long day for the Bulldogs, very similar to the Auburn game for Georgia. If Missouri can cause turnovers in this game defensively and win the turnover margin, that gives them a great chance at winning the game. Missouri has the second-best turnover margin in the SEC at plus-nine.
Consistent play by Missouri QB Austin Simmons
Austin Simmons hasn't necessarily been a consistently elite quarterback this year but if Simmons can find rhythm during this game with his impressive arm talent, then this could be a closer game than most would expect. Simmons has flashed a great deal of arm talent this season and when he has performed at a consistent level, they tend to win or remain competitive with a chance to win. If Simmons finds a rhythm and gets hot, watch out.
Simmons has 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season. He has more than enough talent to beat this Georgia defense from the pocket.
Playing with a 'nothing to lose' mentality
Often times when a team that doesn't have as much to lose goes up against a No. 1 team who has a lot to lose, then it can cause them to play at a higher level. We see it all the time in college football and of course being a No. 1 team like the Georgia Bulldogs, they are going to get everyone's best effort. Missouri certainly can gain from winning this game. If they come into this contest with a mentality of giving it their all, they could slide in Athens and upset the Bulldogs to once again shake things up in college football.
Missouri has a strong run defense that allows under 100 yards per game and will make things tough for Georgia.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Three reasons why Missouri will upset Georgia football
