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Georgia Bulldogs

5 Missouri players every Georgia fan should know

Drew Laing

By Drew Laing

Published:

Georgia is two days away from the program’s biggest football game this season as they prepare to take on the Missouri Tigers. The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1) and Tigers (4-1, 1-0) are playing for control of the SEC East this weekend, despite only being Week 7. A win for Georgia gives them the tiebreaker over Missouri. A loss, however, puts the Bulldogs essentially three games back of Missouri and the Tigers have an easier schedule moving forward.

It’s no doubt an important game for Georgia, so let’s discuss five players that’ll be crucial for Missouri this weekend.

  1. WR Bud Sasser – The Tigers’ leading receiver is quietly putting up some of the best numbers in the conference. He’s top-five in the SEC in virtually every major receiving category and is a dangerous threat to a vulnerable Georgia secondary. He’ll likely benefit from the return of Darius White and Jimmie Hunt, Missouri’s No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, through some one-on-one opportunities. Sasser is arguably the best wide receiver in the SEC that no one talks about.
  2. DE Shane Ray – There’s arguably no defensive player that’s as disruptive as Shane Ray. He leads the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss and single-handedly wreaked havoc on South Carolina’s backfield, racking up eight tackles and two sacks. He’s a player that commands a double team virtually every snap. If Ray has a big day, it’ll likely be another dismal passing performance for Hutson Mason and the Georgia Bulldogs.
  3. LB Michael Scherer – Everyone knows about Missouri’s dynamic defensive ends, but they also have another standout defensive player – linebacker Michael Scherer. He’s Missouri’s No. 1 tackler and ranks second in the SEC with 50 tackles already on the season. He’ll be tasked with stopping Georgia’s talented running backs, so he could be in for a long day. Nevertheless, Scherer will need to play his best game of the season if Missouri wants to limit the production of Nick Chubb.
  4. RB Russell Hansbrough – Although quarterback Maty Mauk gets a lot of the press in Missouri’s offense, running back Russell Hansbrough is more than capable of shouldering the load in the running game. Last week, Hansbrough notched three touchdowns en route to a 21-20 road victory over South Carolina and he continues to be one of the more underrated running backs in the conference. Geogia can’t spend all of its energy on Mauk or Hansbrough could take advantage and gash the middle of the defense for a big day.
  5. RB Marcus Murphy – While Hansbrough is the lead running back for the Tigers, senior running back Marcus Murphy still sees plenty of action throughout the game. He’s much more of a playmaker in Missouri’s offense as a back that can run, but is also especially dangerous in the passing game. His explosiveness also makes him a threat in the return game. Murphy is one of those players that can beat teams in multiple ways and is a player with skills that demand he get numerous touches within the course of the game.
Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.

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