The Georgia Bulldogs are the No. 1 team in the recent College Football Playoff rankings done by the committee. And, there are some people who think that should be Utah. Some feel like Georgia’s resume speaks for itself, but a win against the Missouri Tigers would only help fuel that notion more.

The Tigers are good, but according to our College Football Playoff Simulator, they currently have a 4% chance to make the tournament. If they beat Georgia, those chances increase to 24%. Meanwhile, a loss for Georgia this weekend means UGA has a 76% chance to get in with just two losses. This game, while the rankings are spread pretty far apart, is important for both sides.

Final Score Predictions for Missouri at Georgia

Georgia 35, Missouri 17: Ryan Roberts, A to Z Notre Dame

I have Georgia taking care of business against Missouri with a 35-17 victory. The Tigers are a little banged up offensively, and it’s difficult to see them putting together enough consistent production to score much against a Georgia defense that can make life difficult on opposing offenses. Missouri might have a few opportunities to move the ball, but I expect Georgia to limit the explosive plays and force the Tigers to work for everything they get. The injuries could become especially problematic as the game progresses and Missouri struggles to keep pace.

On the other side, Gunner Stockton continues to show why Georgia can trust him to lead this offense. He doesn’t need to do anything spectacular, but his efficiency, decision-making and ability to keep the offense on schedule should be more than enough. Georgia has the talent to control this game on both sides of the football, and I expect the Bulldogs to gradually pull away in the second half. Missouri keeps it competitive early, but Georgia’s depth and physicality prove to be too much.

UGA 33, Missouri 17: Rob Gregson, A to Z Alabama

I actually picked Ole Miss to get the win over UGA last week, and boy, was I wrong. In a year of SEC parity, UGA has been a cut above. The loss to Auburn looks like a mere blip on the radar, where the team lost focus in what should have been an easy win. Missouri has punched above its weight a lot this season, but you saw against Texas that the Tigers just don’t have the same caliber of players. Kirby Smart and the defense will present the biggest challenge of the season for Austin Simmons, who does have familiarity with the Bulldogs after his time in Oxford. But it won’t be enough to help him get the team over the top. Give me Georgia, big.

Georgia 34, Missouri 23: Tyler Forness, A to Z Florida

The Bulldogs have been a really good team this year, but they haven’t been a powerhouse like we’ve been used to seeing. Even so, this is a good football team and Gunner Stockton has taken a step forward. If Missouri wants to win, there is only one way: Austin Simmons has to carve them up.

He suffered a lower leg injury against the Texas Longhorns last week, and it could either keep him out of the game . If he can play, Simmons could do a lot for his already surging draft stock. Either way, I think Georgia gets a solid win, but it could be pretty competitive if Simmons is rolling, this game could get spicy.

Georgia 35, Missouri 20: Craig Smith, A to Z Tennessee

Georgia appears to have righted the ship and returned to a deserving No. 1 spot after absolutely embarrassing Ole Miss 42-7 last weekend. Missouri lost to Texas, which dropped them to 6-3 and likely ended their playoff hopes. Except there’s nothing like beating the No. 1 team on the road to rejuvenate those hopes.

The SEC will have (at least) one 3-loss team. Can Mizzou be that team? Georgia won’t let that happen. Their dominating defensive front that’s held Florida and Ole Miss to single digit points will grind Jamal Roberts and the run game down, and Austin Simmons won’t be able to keep up with Gunner Stockton and the Bulldogs offense.