3 & Out Report: UGA vs Missouri

During game week the staff at Dawg News Daily previews the matchup between the Bulldogs and their opponent. We focus in on 3 key position matchups or players that we believe will be the difference makers in Saturdays game.

DAWG NEWS DAILY'S 3 & OUT REPORT:

1) Daijun Edwards

Last week when running back Kenny McIntosh went down with an apparent knee/quad injury, it was running back Daijun Edwards getting the bulk of the carries to salt away the game against Kent State. Edwards totaled 12 carries for 73 yards and he's actually been one the UGA staff likes to lean on in the 2nd half. With McIntosh likely to make the travel roster this week, We still don't believe Kirby and Company are going to call a lot of his number if they don't have too. Expect this week to be the Milton/Edwards show. Milton was on the brink of a huge game last week with getting tripped up or shoe string tackled on 2-3 possible touchdown runs. 2) UGA Secondary

The Kent state game plan last week seemed to be a lot of mesh concepts and WR screens. The secondary a few times last week miss played the WR screen (pushing the receiver to the sidelines instead back into the middle of the field where help is) allowing 2 big gains with one being a 50+ yards touchdown. Expect future opponents to take a page from the Kent St game plan and test this Bulldogs secondary who has been strong so far this season.

Missouri quarterback, Brady Cook, is currently averaging an interception per game, and with the secondary looking to have a "get-Right" game expect more of the same for the Missouri quarterback. Add in 5-Star Commit Luther Burden will miss Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury that only gives less targets for the secondary to target on.

3) Ladd McConkey

McConkey had a case of the "yips" against Kent State last week. A muffed punt, a fumble, and 2 drops had Bulldog nation stunned as the redshirt sophomore has consistently been one of the more reliable players for the Bulldogs. Stetson Bennett continued to go to the trusted wide receiver who ended up leading the Dawgs with 6 catches last week. Coach Smart came out after the game that McConkey had been dealing with a bit of a foot issue. Come to find out, it may be a toe issue.

"It’s a volume issue, not really an injury that was sustained,” Smart said. “Just one of those toe injuries that he has. Actually, this week, he has been much better. We shut him down last week for two days, he practiced two days. Hasn’t bothered him much.

“Not last week but the week before, he did everything later in the week, not earlier in the week. He’s been pretty good this week, getting a lot of treatment on it. Just trying to communicate with us as far as volume to make sure he stays under certain numbers.”

With Adonai Mitchell likely to be held out another week due to injury, McConkey will have his number called to help stretch the field for the Bulldogs. #84 will certainly be one to watch to show he can bounce back from last week. DND's Score Prediction:

Georgia: 41-13 (Line: Georgia -28)