* Well, on the bright side, Mizzou made this game interesting longer than I think anyone expected. You probably could have made some decent money if anyone offered odds on the Tigers holding a lead at any point. We’ve criticized Eli Drinkwitz and the team for some slow starts this season, so it’s only fair to give them their due for coming out ready to play and believing in themselves to start this one.
* That said, I also have to bring up an issue I had with the coaching. Tyler Macon clearly gave this offense a spark (more on him shortly). The unit moved the ball pretty well on its first two drives, and could have potentially gotten more than three points out of those possessions had it not been for a few mistakes. Then Drinkwitz took out Macon for Brady Cook. I get it, that was probably the plan going in, but I think you need to have some feel for the situation and ride the momentum there. But worse than the QB switch, in my mind, was the call to throw a swing pass to Tyler Badie behind the line of scrimmage on third and six. That was a spot where Mizzou really could not afford a three and out if it was going to have a chance to hang in the game. That play never had a chance. I don’t know for sure if that was the play call, maybe Cook decided to throw that based on what he saw from the defense. But the result was a punt that Georgia blocked (not sure what was going on with the protection, or lack thereof, on that one), and at that point the Bulldogs had all the momentum back and the game was pretty much over. The decision not to go for it on fourth and one late in the half, even though Mizzou was deep inside its own territory, was questionable as well. I’m not trying to say those decisions lost Mizzou the game by any means. It almost certainly loses regardless. But it felt like those calls made sure of it.
* Now, let’s talk quarterbacks. Macon looked solid, especially as a runner. His legs really do provide a new dimension to this offense. Missouri has already eclipsed the average number of rushing yards allowed this season by Georgia. I would have been surprised if you told me that would happen in this game, much less the first half. Macon has accounted for 43 of those yards himself and the threat of him running has also opened things up for Badie. The passing has been less good. Macon did have a couple passes dropped, but he was late and high on a throw to a wide open Dominic Lovett that could have gone for a touchdown. He is just 3-6 for nine yards, and he got 10 yards on a little push pass to Keke Chism that was really just a jet sweep. Cook, meanwhile, is 5-5 but for just 10 yards. I would go ahead and play Macon for the majority of the second half and see what he can do and let him put some plays on film.
* The Mizzou defense has actually impressed me most of all. A run defense that hasn’t been able to stop anyone all season is holding its own against Georgia’s stacked offensive line. The Bulldogs have run for 67 yards and are averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. Until that last drive, they were at 2.4 yards per carry. Missouri’s defensive line hasn’t gotten pushed backwards at all on the ground (if there’s one knock, it’s the lack of pass rush, but beggars can’t be choosers). That said, stopping the run has come at a cost. Mizzou has left its defensive backs on islands all game, and Georgia has made them pay with a couple deep balls. The Bulldogs have 232 yards through the air. I think you live with that, though. The game plan was clearly to stop the run and make Stetson Bennett beat you through the air. He has. Tip your cap. Georgia is No. 1 for a reason.
* That said, I also have to bring up an issue I had with the coaching. Tyler Macon clearly gave this offense a spark (more on him shortly). The unit moved the ball pretty well on its first two drives, and could have potentially gotten more than three points out of those possessions had it not been for a few mistakes. Then Drinkwitz took out Macon for Brady Cook. I get it, that was probably the plan going in, but I think you need to have some feel for the situation and ride the momentum there. But worse than the QB switch, in my mind, was the call to throw a swing pass to Tyler Badie behind the line of scrimmage on third and six. That was a spot where Mizzou really could not afford a three and out if it was going to have a chance to hang in the game. That play never had a chance. I don’t know for sure if that was the play call, maybe Cook decided to throw that based on what he saw from the defense. But the result was a punt that Georgia blocked (not sure what was going on with the protection, or lack thereof, on that one), and at that point the Bulldogs had all the momentum back and the game was pretty much over. The decision not to go for it on fourth and one late in the half, even though Mizzou was deep inside its own territory, was questionable as well. I’m not trying to say those decisions lost Mizzou the game by any means. It almost certainly loses regardless. But it felt like those calls made sure of it.
* Now, let’s talk quarterbacks. Macon looked solid, especially as a runner. His legs really do provide a new dimension to this offense. Missouri has already eclipsed the average number of rushing yards allowed this season by Georgia. I would have been surprised if you told me that would happen in this game, much less the first half. Macon has accounted for 43 of those yards himself and the threat of him running has also opened things up for Badie. The passing has been less good. Macon did have a couple passes dropped, but he was late and high on a throw to a wide open Dominic Lovett that could have gone for a touchdown. He is just 3-6 for nine yards, and he got 10 yards on a little push pass to Keke Chism that was really just a jet sweep. Cook, meanwhile, is 5-5 but for just 10 yards. I would go ahead and play Macon for the majority of the second half and see what he can do and let him put some plays on film.
* The Mizzou defense has actually impressed me most of all. A run defense that hasn’t been able to stop anyone all season is holding its own against Georgia’s stacked offensive line. The Bulldogs have run for 67 yards and are averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. Until that last drive, they were at 2.4 yards per carry. Missouri’s defensive line hasn’t gotten pushed backwards at all on the ground (if there’s one knock, it’s the lack of pass rush, but beggars can’t be choosers). That said, stopping the run has come at a cost. Mizzou has left its defensive backs on islands all game, and Georgia has made them pay with a couple deep balls. The Bulldogs have 232 yards through the air. I think you live with that, though. The game plan was clearly to stop the run and make Stetson Bennett beat you through the air. He has. Tip your cap. Georgia is No. 1 for a reason.
