Missouri Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs Notebook: Silver Linings Only Mean So Much

Deja-vu is imminent for the Missouri Tigers, as they failed to convert late and came up just short against the back-to-back champion Georgia Bulldogs. Where have we seen this before?

Walking into a stadium that the Georgia Bulldogs hadn't lost in since October of 2019, it was clear that the Missouri Tigers were going to have a battle on their hands if they wanted to walk out with a win.

So, heads held high, the Tigers did just that. They walked into Sanford Stadium inspired to avenge a four-point loss in Columbia last year, and tied through the first 30 minutes of play, that almost ended up being the case. Until it wasn't.

The Tigers' matchup against the Bulldogs was a fight until the end, but after starting 5-for-5 through the air, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook finished the game just 14-for-30 on passing attempts.

The second half inefficiency from Cook didn't put Missouri out of the game on its own, but when paired with a costly interception thrown straight to Georgia defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse, it was too much for the Tigers to overcome.

Here are three takeaways from Missouri's heartbreaker in Athens:

Silver Linings Don't Heal Heartbreak

Missouri has become the epitome of "close but no cigar" this season. Falling late in both of their biggest and most important games, the Tigers had chances to win both of those contests. 

Late Brady Cook interceptions helped seal the deal for the Tigers against both LSU and Georgia. 

Sure, the Tigers did good things in both of those games. Yes, Missouri is still exceeding pre-season projections. The real question is how much that truly matters, and how the Tigers will bounce back. 

Either way, what is clear is that the Tigers must find ways to close games better down the stretch or they'll continue to walk out of important games broken-hearted. 

Third Quarter Offense Stalls ... Again.

If one thing has been consistent about the Tigers' offense in big games this season, it's their inability to come out of halftime and produce. 

In their last three games, the Tigers have mustered just six total points in the third quarter. 

To compound the offensive woes, the defense has allowed 27 points in the third quarter over the same span.

It becomes hard to win big time football games, especially in a conference as tough as the SEC, when you consistently get outplayed coming out of halftime.

Make Yourselves at Home

Missouri managed to create success in a category they have been great in this season: getting to the quarterback.

The Tigers found the ability to make Carson Beck feel pressure through this game by racking up three sacks through the course of the game. 

Missouri has found success in the last couple of weeks creating pressure against both Spencer Rattler of South Carolina and this week against a stout offensive line of Georgia, so continuing to create pressure will be vital to beating a Tennessee team that can create offense in a hurry.

This loss will stay with Missouri for the rest of this season, likely removing them from playoff contention. What will be found out in the coming weeks will be how much fight this Missouri team still has in it. 

Back to Faurot Field it is.

Gut-Punch: Tigers Fall Short in Athens, Lose to Georgia