What You Need to Know About the Missouri Defense

With Georgia set to face 7-1 Missouri on Saturday, here is what you need to know about the Tiger defense.

While it has operated in the shadows of the resurgent and explosive Missouri offense this season, Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker's Tiger defense has quietly carried over its strong play from the 2022 season and continues to give Missouri a chance to win games. Baker brought an ultra-aggressive, attacking style of defensive football to Missouri when he arrived prior to the 2022 season and has quickly turned around a unit that had devolved into one of the worst defenses in the country early in Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz's tenure. 

In 2021, the Missouri defense finished 106th nationally in total defense, surrendering 434.7 yards per game. In his first season on the job, Baker engineered an immediate turnaround, vaulting the Tigers inside the top-35 nationally in total defense. While the Tigers have not taken another step forward defensively this season after returning 12 of 16 players that played 250 or more snaps in 2022, they have managed to essentially maintain their strong production from a year ago, allowing 338 yards per game, 5.21 yards per play, and 23.3 points per game. 

Much like last year, the Missouri front six remains the strength of its defense. The Tigers are 5th in the SEC and 27th nationally in rush defense, surrendering 112 yards per game on the ground. Missouri also averaged 3 sacks per game, also ranking it inside the top-5 of the SEC. With 8.5 sacks between them, Darius Robinson and Johnny Walker Jr. form a strong edge tandem for the Tigers. At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, Robinson is a bigger body at defensive end that is strong against the run, but he also possesses impressive athleticism and quickness for his size that gives him juice as a pass rusher. At 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Walker Jr. is more of a prototypical pass rusher who uses his length and strong athleticism to create havoc in the backfield. Veterans George Realus Jr. and Jayden Jernigan give Missouri an experienced interior duo that does a solid job defending the interior run game.

Hendon Hooker (5) tries to hold back Missouri defensive lineman Tyrone Hopper II (5) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 12, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn. Ut Vs Missouri :: © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

At linebacker, fifth-year senior Tyron Hopper - a Florida transfer - stands out as an impressive athlete who is solid against the run between the tackles but really excels in space. With sixth-year senior Chad Bailey starting alongside Hopper, the Tigers boast an extremely experienced inside linebacker duo that provides both strong play and critical leadership for the Missouri defense. 

The Tigers may not be as strong against the pass as they are against the run, but they still feature several elite athletes with high upside in the backend. Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine has been the clear bright spot for the Missouri secondary as he has been playing at an All-SEC level for the entire season. Abrams-Draine leads the Tigers and ranks second in the SEC with 4 interceptions through the first eight games of the season. Missouri made a splash when they landed Ennis Rakestraw over Alabama back in 2020, and while Rakestraw has not necessarily lived up to the lofty expectations that accompanied his arrival in Columbia, he is a high-level athlete who has the ability to make plays at Missouri's other cornerback position. Ranking second and fourth on the team in tackles respectively, safeties Jaylon Carlies and Joseph Charleston have been strong run defenders in Missouri's aggressive system. However, their aggressiveness against the run makes them susceptible to surrendering big plays off of play-action. The Tigers' aggressiveness against the run is the primary reason why they have allowed the second most passing plays of 20+ yards (32) in the SEC. 

From a coverage standpoint, Missouri is a heavy Cover 3 defense. This allows them to roll a safety into the box against the run but still defend the vertical passing game. However, this makes Missouri vulnerable to four verticals concepts and levels concepts, particularly when teams align their formation into the boundary. With their aggressive style of play, particularly against the run, Missouri has surrendered 38 plays of 20 or more yards, ranking them tenth in the SEC.

How to Watch Georgia vs. Missouri

• Gameday: Saturday, Nov. 4. 2023
• Game time: 3:30 pm ET
• TV: CBS
• Location: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (Athens, Georgia)
• Live stream on fuboTV: Start with a 7-day free trial!
• Stream on ESPN - HERE
• Broadcast Call: Brad Nessler (play-by-play) and Gary Danielson (Color) will be on the call

Other Georgia News:

• Georgia's Remaining Schedule - Who Could Be The Troublesome Game?
• Player Profile: How Can Oscar Delp Contribute to Georgia's Success?
• Reminder of What Georgia Has With Delp, Luckie, and Spurlin

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