Missouri lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2012, falling 9-6 to Georgia in Athens despite a strong defensive performance.

5 TAKEAWAYS

Defensive excellence spoiled: Missouri’s defense was terrific on Saturday night, limiting Georgia to just 120 rushing yards and less than 4 yards per play. That sort of defensive performance, Nick Chubb’s absence notwithstanding, absolutely deserves a victory.

Offensive line interior was dismal: Georgia’s linebackers penetrated Missouri’s backfield like osmosis, going straight through the interior throughout the night. That Georgia mostly used a sole defensive tackle made this all the more concerning.

Dropped picks hurt: There is no way you can blame Missouri’s defense for this loss, but the Tigers could have flipped the script with a few more interceptions. There were at least 4 dropped interceptions by Missouri defensive backs, who tired as the game wore on.

Special teams costing Tigers: For weeks, the knock on Missouri’s special teams has been the lack of a dynamic return threat. Missouri tried to fix this when it moved Cam Hilton to punt returner, but the freshman cost the Tigers when he fumbled a punt that should have been called for a fair catch.

East three-peat out of reach: Even with Florida losing at LSU, Missouri appears to be officially out of the SEC East race. The offense needs to improve by leaps and bounds to even be considered average, and there isn’t an automatic win left on Missouri’s schedule. You can’t win if you can’t score, and the Tigers just can’t score.

REPORT CARD

Offense: D — 164 total yards is all you need to know about Missouri’s night on offense. Zero offensive turnovers saves this from being a failing grade.

Defense: A- — Nick Chubb or not, Missouri held Georgia to historic offensive lows. Intercepting a few more passes is the only way the defense could have played better.

Special Teams: D+ — Hilton’s fumble was bad, but so was Missouri’s blocking on punt and kick returns. Kicker Andrew Baggett also missed a 38-yard field goal attempt.

Coaching: C- — Good clock management and defensive stoutness don’t make up for the lack of points.

Overall: C — A great defense and terrible offense make for the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde result.

GAME PLAN

The Tigers can’t throw the ball because their play action isn’t credible. Their play action isn’t credible because they have no run game. They have no run game because they can’t run block. They can’t run block because the offensive line, particuarly the interior, has been far worse than anyone could have imagined.

With that in mind, Missouri’s game plan against Georgia ignored this deficiency. Maybe offensive coordinator Josh Henson thought a “healthy” Russell Hansbrough (and, really, Missouri’s starting running back still doesn’t look 100 percent) could break through some tackles. Maybe coach Gary Pinkel had every reason to believe a field goal was enough on Missouri’s first drive. Maybe both don’t completely trust freshman QB Drew Lock yet.

But more of the same will result in the same offensive results. If the Tigers really want to get anything going offensively, it might be time to move LT Connor McGovern inside to help jumpstart the inside running game. But that violate’s Pinkel’s tenet that your best offensive lineman must play left tackle. Unfortunately, Missouri just doesn’t have the personnel to fix its line or, for that matter, it’s offense.

GAME BALLS

  • LB Kentrell Brothers: Set a new career high with 17 tackles, while limiting Georgia’s ability to run up the middle.
  • S Ian Simon: Returned an interception for an impressive 39 yards while giving Georgia WR Malcolm Mitchell little room to breathe.
  • DT Terry Beckner: Set a new career high with 6 tackles while adding his second sack in as many weeks.

INJURY UPDATE

  • TE Sean Culkin, who was listed as questionable on Monday’s depth chart, started.