Georgia’s lackluster effort in the win at Missouri cost the Bulldogs the No. 1 ranking in the coaches poll. Georgia slipped to No. 2 in the poll, as Alabama took over the No. 1 ranking.

Georgia ultimately overcame a 10-point deficit to Missouri as the first-half was especially sluggish on offense, but the Bulldogs came to life in the second half for a 26-22 victory. Jack Podlesny kicked 4 field goals, and quarterback Stetson Bennett struggled most of the night against a pressuring Missouri defense, but Bennett recovered to the point of passing for 312 yards passing and no interceptions.

Coach Kirby Smart had a blunt assessment when asked if he could put his finger on the first-half problems.

“Gettin’ yo ass whipped up front. That’s what the finger was,” Smart said referring to the running game in particular. “Like, when you put on pads and you’ve got to strike another man, and he’s across from you and he weighs 300 and you weigh 300, somebody wins and somebody loses. So, the finger is we’re gettin’ our butts whooped, OK?

Georgia returns to action this week against Auburn at Sanford Stadium.