Missouri Vs. Georgia: Tigers Face 1st SEC Opponent

The Missouri Tigers welcome their first SEC opponent, as the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs travel to Faurot Field in Columbia for the first big game of the new era in Tigers football. The two teams face off on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 6:45 p.m. CT.

Georgia will present a much different test than Missouri faced against Southeastern Louisiana, in which the Tigers used a good balance between timely offense and special teams to easily walk away with a dominating 62-10 win the first week of the season.

James Franklin never truly got rolling as Missouri pulled back after taking an early lead, passing for just 131 yards and rushing for another three as his team used primarily special teams and a dominant defense to control SE Louisiana for the better part of the game. He'll be key to a Tigers upset, however. After rushing for 15 touchdowns and passing for 21 more last season, Franklin is expected to do even more this year.

The Bulldogs, led by junior QB Aaron Murray, pose a dangerous threat both on the ground and through the air. Murray was 15-of-26 for 258 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 45-23 win against Buffalo. Freshman RB Todd Gurley put up 100 yards and two scores on just eight carries. Gurley was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance.

Georgia comes into the game three-point favorites over Missouri, who went 8-5 last season in their first year without QB Blaine Gabbert.

For more on Mizzou football, visit Missouri blog Rock M Nation, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills, SB Nation Kansas City and SB Nation St. Louis. For more on UGA football, visit Georgia blog Dawg Sports, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills and SB Nation Atlanta.