Coming off last week's disappointing 26-24 win over Nicholls State, a lot of the positive momentum that Georgia rode after the North Carolina win has ebbed, and there are renewed questions about the Bulldogs' abilities this week as they head on the road for their Southeastern Conference opener.
Here's a look at Saturday's showdown with Missouri in Columbia:
No. 16 Georgia (2-0) at Missouri (1-1), 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network).
Line: Georgia by 6½.
Series Record: Georgia leads 4-1
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Two first-year coaches, Missouri's Barry Odom and Georgia's Kirby Smart, seek their first Southeastern Conference wins. Smart, who served as Alabama's defensive coordinator under Nick Saban from 2008-15, was a defensive back for the Bulldogs from 1995-98. Odom is also coaching his alma mater.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia QBs vs, Missouri defense. Smart has relied on a two-quarterback system for his first two wins, with senior Greyson Lambert and freshman Jacob Eason splitting time. Lambert is 7 of 11 for 56 yards and Eason is 19 of 32 with two touchdowns and an interception. Missouri's defense has four interceptions in two games, including two by CB Aarion Penton, one of which he returned 63 yards.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgia: RB Nick Chubb. He rushed 38 times for 143 yards and a touchdown against Missouri in 2014. Coming off a season-ending knee injury, Chubb seems to be showing signs of full health. He has 52 carries for 302 yards and three touchdowns, and had 32 carries for 222 yards and two touchdowns against North Carolina.
Missouri: DT/FB Josh Augusta. The 6-foot-4, 355 pound defensive lineman is part of a group that has to contain Chubb. However, don't be surprised to see No. 97 on both sides of the ball. First-year offensive coordinator Josh Heupel has turned the most physically imposing player on Missouri's roster into a short-yardage fullback. He has two carries for three yards, both of which gained a first down.
FACTS & FIGURES
Georgia ranks 11th among SEC teams in scoring defense, allowing 48 points in its first two games, while Missouri ranks 10th with 47 points allowed. ... Missouri's four interceptions ties Mississippi State and Auburn for a conference-best. ... Missouri WR Johnathon Johnson was SEC Freshman of the Week after catching five passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Michigan. He also had a 54-yard punt return touchdown. ... Johnson became the first FBS player since 2001 with 100 receiving, a touchdown catch and a punt return touchdown in the same game.
