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Missouri football: Ranking the 5 toughest games on the 2021 schedule

By Jacob Milham

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 19: A helmet of the Missouri Tigers rests on the sideline during a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 19: A helmet of the Missouri Tigers rests on the sideline during a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Nov 21, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; A general view of the stadium during the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; A general view of the stadium during the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The Georgia Bulldogs are the predicted winners for the SEC East for a reason. Can the Missouri football team challenge them?

While the predictions are close, Georgia is once again the preseason pick to win the SEC East and second to Alabama for the SEC Championship.

Sanford Stadium will be an SEC hub once again.

The Bulldogs are often preseason darlings, yet sometimes remaining second fiddle to Florida or Alabama. Since 2010, only three teams have won the SEC East: Georgia, Flordia, and Missouri. While the years of dominant Tigers football in 2013 and 2014 may seem like distant memories, Florida and Georgia have taken turns winning the East. However, the division winner rarely wins the SEC Championship, with a lone Georgia win in 2017.

Like many years though, Georgia feels like a force.

Led by head coach and Georgia alum Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have had double-digit wins in three out of his five seasons and a top-six recruiting class every year since 2016. The success and building blocks are there for a dominant team. The SEC West hurdle has been the biggest stumble in Smart’s journey for a championship.

Junior quarterback J.T. Daniels may bet the extra boost the Bulldogs need to win the SEC. Couple Daniels’ experience with offensive coordinator Todd Monken‘s concepts and schemes, and SEC defenses should be on notice. Don’t forget about workhorse running back Zamir White, who averages 5.4 yards per carry.

While the defense has obvious holes in the secondary, the run defense should hold most opponents in check.  The Bulldogs only gave up 72 rushing yards per game in 2020 and 723 on the year. While the passing defense is not nearly as stout, the defense as a whole is still one of the SEC’s best.

As of this writing, this is hardest matchup of the season for the Missouri football team. Georgia looks to be in full playoff mode by the second half of the season, and Missouri predicts to be around .500.

Look for the Tigers to put up a fight and try for moral victories, but this game will likely end up in the loss column for Missouri.

Next. Mizzou Football: Ranking the Five Best Quarterbacks All-Time. dark

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