Todd Gurley
Georgia running back Todd Gurley might be the best player in the SEC. Reuters

[UPDATE 11:19 AM ET: Georgia running back Todd Gurley has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation involving money for autographs and memorabilia.]

While Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama and Mississippi State are battling in the SEC West, only one team can make it to the conference championship game. Over in the SEC East, Georgia and Missouri are the favorites to face one of those top 10 teams for the SEC title.

Saturday’s contest between No.13 Georgia and No.23 Missouri might end up being the biggest game of 2014 in the SEC East. With just one loss on the season, both teams are looking to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.

The Bulldogs are ranked 10 spots higher than the Tigers, but a loss might be more damaging to them. Georgia already has a loss in the conference, falling at South Carolina 38-35.

Missouri is 1-0 in SEC play, but they need a win against Georgia to convince the voters that they are among the best teams in the SEC. Their victory against South Carolina isn’t as impressive as it might have been at the start of the year, considering the Gamecocks have lost three times, and their only loss came against unranked Indiana.

Other than their one loss, Georgia has looked like an elite team. They opened the season by defeating then-No.16 Clemson 45-21, and have won three more games by a total of 96 points.

On the road, the betting odds at Las Vegas casinos have the Bulldogs listed as three-point favorites, with an over under of 60 points. Georgia would be favored by more, had it not been for their recent struggles away from home. In their last nine road games, Georgia has won just five times.

On their way to last year’s SEC title game, Missouri got the better of the Bulldogs in Georgia. The Tigers forced the Bulldogs to turn the ball over four times, while not losing one fumble or throwing one interception. Gurley did not play because of an ankle injury.

Prediction: Georgia could struggle on the road, but they did find ways to win away from home last season. With Gurley in the lineup this time, the Bulldogs shouldn’t have much trouble getting into the end zone. Missouri was fortunate to beat South Carolina, as quarterback Maty Mauk completed just 12 of his 34 pass attempts. The Tigers won’t be so lucky if they play the same way on Saturday.

Predicted Score: Georgia 34, Missouri 27

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