The Georgia Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers meet in one of the biggest college football games of the season on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Find game time, TV channel and how to watch online information below.
Georgia returns home after playing its last two games on the road. The Bulldogs come on in as the No. 4 ranked team in the country. Missouri is coming off a road loss to Kentucky.
Below find all the information you need on the game, including game time, TV information, how to watch online and a preview for the Georgia-Missouri game.
Calling off the Dogs
So it was a bit interesting that Kirby Smart, after Georgia’s most recent touchdown, elected to go for two, leading 53-28 with 10:27 left in the game. (The attempt failed.) What’s the difference between potential leads of 26 and 27 points? The other team still wins with four touchdowns, but I suppose three touchdowns with two-point conversions and a field goal would … okay, anyway.
Smart, if he’s asked about it afterwards, will probably say that there was plenty of time left and he respects Missouri offense. And Georgia did keep the second-team defense on the field for the ensuing drive, which does back up Smart’s respect for the Tigers.
But when Bulldogs made the stop near midfield on third down, Missouri sent in the punt team. That seemed to officially clinch this.
Although Georgia is keeping most of its first-team offense in the game, including Jake Fromm. Guess you can never be too sure.
As for Georgia’s defense …
It has now also given up its most yards of the season, 289 after Missouri’s scoring drive just now, which keeps it mildly interesting at 47-28.
Drew Lock has 249 passing yards, also the most against Georgia this year. (Samford had the previous high for passing yards, and Appalachian State had the previous high for total yards.)
It doesn’t look like it’s enough to make it a close game. But it does confirm there’s work to do in the secondary and the pass rush.
Georgia’s offensive season highs
Georgia has now scored 47 points, the most of the season.
It is also now at 562 total yards, also the most of the season. That exceeds the 549 racked up last week at Vanderbilt.
D’Andre Swift also just uncorked a 72-yard run, the longest for a Georgia runner since Nick Chubb’s 82-yard touchdown run against Alabama in 2015. (Swift’s didn’t go for a touchdown. But Sony Michel scored on the next play.)
Jake Fromm also set a season-high with 267 passing yards. His previous high was 201 against Mississippi State.
None of this is altogether shocking, given the reputation of Missouri’s “defense” entering the game. Still, Jake Fromm and company have been quite impressive.
Rodrigo-fest!
There’s a reason Georgia’s red zone offense keeps scoring points: Rodrigo Blankenship remains very accurate.
Blankenships fourth field goal of the night, this time from 27 yards out, gives Georgia a 40-21 lead. The Bulldogs didn’t take advantage of the very short field they were handed, after the botched punt by Missouri saw D’Andre Swift tackle the punter at the 10. Still, three more points.
Blankenship is now 10-for-11 on the season, and 21-for-26 on his career. He’s still never missed an extra point.
Injury updates
Terry Godwin has a left rib injury and is “out for now” according to an announcement in the press box. The junior receiver is not on the sideline to begin the second half.
But Tyler Clark has returned, though holding his helmet.There’s no official word yet on the nature of his injury.
Halftime analysis: Seven thoughts
1. Georgia has a two-possession lead, but most people talking about this half will be worried about the defense, namely the pass defense. Two 63-yard touchdown passes will do that. Missouri has already a) scored more points than anyone else has against Georgia this season, b) had the longest play this season against Georgia this season (twice, via those 63-yarders) and with 200 yards is only 84 away from tying the most of any Georgia opponent this year.
2. It’s not like these pass defense concerns should be new. They’ve been mentioned several times, including earlier this week by this alarmist beat writer. It’s not just the defensive backs, though, the pass rush hasn’t been there enough, including tonight.
3. OK, having dispensed with the criticism … Georgia does have 34 points and 407 total yards already. Missouri’s defense is who we thought it was, as Dennis Green (RIP) would say. And Georgia is taking advantage of it.
4. After some early struggles running the ball, Georgia is showing signs of wearing down the Missouri front. The Bulldogs had 45 rushing yards in the first quarter, then 112 in the second quarter.
5. Jake Fromm has had one very bad decision, leading to the interception and Missouri’s first score. But otherwise he’s been brilliant and clutch: 16-for-21 for 250 yards and one touchdowns, and a touchdown run in addition. The freshman has been so good on third down.
6. We’ll see what happens with Terry Godwin’s status. In the meantime Georgia has spread it around more than any other game, seemingly, with eight different receivers catching at least one pass. That includes Charlie Woerner, back involved and hurdling defenders downfield.
7. The injuries are piling up, though: Tyler Clark also left with an injury. It’s a cliche’ to say the bye week is coming at a good time, so we won’t say it. But let’s just say Georgia will be thankful it has an extra week to heal some guys up for Florida.
Dominick Sanders
The senior notches interception No. 14 of his career, passing Kirby Smart, among others, on Georgia’s career list. He’s now tied with two others for third place: Jeff Hipp (1979-80) and Terry Hoage (1981-83).
Nobody finished with 15 interceptions, so Sanders could end up alone in third. Or he could go furter: Jake Scott (1967-68) and Bacarri Rambo (2009-12) are tied for the career record with 16 each.
Terry Godwin hurt
Hard to tell how serious it is, but the good news for Georgia is he just ran to the locker room. It’s some sort of upper body injury, and hard to tell whether it was his arm, ribs, hip or whatever.
Awaiting an update.
Meanwhile, Georgia has retaken the lead, 24-21, but consecutive 63-yard touchdown passes by Missouri have the home fans a bit nervous.
This is the point …
Where we stop writing an analysis after every score. Because it looks like there might be a lot of scores.
Sony Michel is the latest to visit the end zone, going 36 yards. Georgia is back ahead 21-14, with 13:24 still left in the second quarter, as a Big 12 game has broken out here, befitting the visitor’s former conference.
Kirby Smart said earlier in the week of Missouri that people don’t stop them, they only stop themselves. That’s actually the case for Georgia right now: Three touchdowns, one interception, no punts.
Georgia’s pass defense
Not to beat a dead horse, because the horse is alive and well, but Georgia’s pass defense remains a question if this team is going to contend for the SEC title. As evidenced by what just happened.
Missouri QB Drew Lock had all the time in the world, receiver Emanuel Hall got behind the defense, and Lock hit him for a 63-yard touchdown.
It’s a tie game again. That’s the longest play against Georgia’s defense this year.
Third-down Jake
OK, so there’s a very notable blemish, but otherwise Jake Fromm and Georgia receivers have been brilliant on third down. The latest comes on a great back-shoulder throw-and-catch to Riley Ridley in the right corner of the end zone, 19 yards on third-and-long.
Georgia is now 5-for-6 on third downs – the exception being the interception that set up Missouri’s touchdown – but every conversion has been via the pass. And they’ve all been well past the marker, averaging close to 20 yards per play.
Missouri’s pass defense looks quite putrid right now, unless a linebacker is getting his hands on the ball. Fromm is on target otherwise, the receivers are making plays, and the line is providing time.
The only problem is Georgia can’t run the ball. Missouri is keying on it. But Georgia is having so much success via the air it’s not much of an issue yet.
Here’s a stat for you …
Other than 0-0, this is the first time this season that Georgia has been tied with the opponent in a home game.
In each of the previous three games, Georgia scored first and never relinquished the lead.
In fact, the only game in which Georgia has ever trailed or been tied (other than 0-0) is at Notre Dame.
Suffice to say, Georgia has never trailed at home this year. We’ll see if it ever does.
Sometimes that happens
Jake Fromm reminds you he’s still a true freshman. And it’s a tie game again.
On third-and-6, Fromm either doesn’t see a linebacker in the passing lane or decided to try it anyway. Missouri’s Cale Garrett at first bats it up and then grabs it out of the air, returning it 21 yards down to Georgia’s 5 yard line.
Missouri capitalized two plays later with a touchdown on a shovel pass.
It was just Fromms’s third interception of the season.
Third downs and then Mecole Hardman
The game has begun as expected: Georgia’s offense scoring a touchdown right away on Missouri’s defense.
It took some slight drama: Twice, Georgia had third-and-long. But each time the line gave Jake Fromm time, a receiver got wide open, and each time Fromm hit the long completion: Terry Godwin for 28 yards and Javon Wims for 21 yards.
Then on first down Mecole Hardman took a handoff and went 35 yards for a touchdown. We’ve been waiting to see Hardman get more involved in the running game, and there it was.
Georgia actually had trouble running it that drive, as Missouri keyed on the run. The pass, on the other hand, wasn’t a problem. Fromm was 4-for-4 for 58 yards.
Georgia’s defense picks up the special teams
Georgia finally gave up a long kickoff return, with Rodrigo Blankenship’s kick, easily his shortest of the season, being returned to up near midfield.
But Missouri’s offense couldn’t do anything with it: A false start on first down led to three stops and a punt. Georgia’s defense answering the bell yet again.
Monty Rice got some early run, as indicated in warm-ups, and had the tackle on second down. Georgia also gave Michail Carter some early snaps with all the defensive linemen out.
Two more defensive linemen out
Sophomore David Marshall and junior DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle are not suited up, evidently injured during the week in practice.
Trenton Thompson is already out, so the depth is suddenly very thin there.
Georgia football-Missouri football: Live updates
15:00 Q1: Georgia 0, Missouri 0
Follow live updates on the Georgia-Missouri game, click here. Some mobile users will have to click here.
What time is the Georgia-Missouri football game?
Time: The Georgia-Missouri game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: The Georgia-Missouri game is set to be played in Sanford Stadium, in Athens, Ga.
Odds: Georgia is a -30.5 favorite over Missouri.
What TV channel is Georgia-Missouri football on?
The Georgia-Missouri game will kickoff on SEC Network at 7:30 pm ET. The game will follow the Ole Miss-Vanderbilt game.
Can I watch Georgia-Missouri football online?
Yes, you can watch the Georgia-Missouri game on WatchESPN.
How can I listen to Georgia-Missouri football on the radio?
Fans can click here for radio options for the Georgia-Missouri game.
What channel is the SEC Network on for the Georgia-Missouri game?
To find the SEC Network for the Georgia-Missouri game, click here.
Georgia football-Missouri football preview
1. Is this another close game between these two teams?
The last time these two teams met, Jacob Eason connected with Isaiah McKenzie on a final minute touchdown drive to knock off Barry Odom and Missouri 28-27. The last time these two teams met in Athens, when each side was coached by Mark Richt and Gary Pinkel, Georgia came away with an ugly 9-6 victory. These two have grown accustomed to playing each other tight. Will that change given how Missouri seems stuck in the mud while Georgia has taken off in year 2 under Kirby Smart.
2. How does the Georgia health situation play out?
The Bulldogs have been spectacular this year but injuries are starting to mount. They were without star defensive lineman Trent Thompson last week, and Reggie Carter has been held out as well. Couple that with Natrez Patrick‘s suspension, and the Georgia front 7 is a little thinner than it would like.
“Trent’s recovering,” Smart said, according to Seth Emerson of DawgNation. “He’ll be day-to-day, and week-to-week. We haven’t ruled him out for this game. We hope to have him back. He’s moving around.”
And the Bulldogs will need all hands on deck in this coming weeks as they take on Florida in Jacksonville, host South Carolina and then visit Auburn on Nov. 12. It’s a key stretch of games that will decide how high the Bulldogs climb this season.
3. How does the quarterback situation play out?
Last week, some thought we’d see quarterback Jake Fromm and Jacob Eason split time. That wasn’t the case, as Fromm took all over the meaningful reps against Vanderbilt, and once again looked pretty good in doing so. Missouri has been one of the worst teams in the league, so if there were ever and opponent where Eason would see meaningful playing time, it would come against the Tigers.
“You guys want to make a great story out of that,” Smart said after the Vanderbilt game. “You know what the story ought to be? Georgia’s O-line finishes Vanderbilt off. Can we talk about that? But I know y’all need a story. You need controversy, and that’s not where this team’s going because the men in that locker room, they’re controlling that message. Both those quarterbacks are good players.
The Bulldogs and Tigers officially kickoff against each other at 7:30 pm ET on Saturday. The game will air on the SEC Network.
