Georgia Bulldogs vs. Vanderbilt Commodores preview

The Georgia Bulldogs are set to play their third consecutive game in the friendly confines of Sanford Stadium, and despite some hiccups against the Tennessee Volunteers last Saturday, Mark Richt’s group is still without blemish in Athens this season. The opponent this week is the Vanderbilt Commodores, and to be frank, they appear to be the worst team in the SEC this season. Alas, the game must go on, and we preview the match-up here.

Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores

Time/TV: 4:00 pm, SEC Network

Georgia Offense vs. Vanderbilt Defense

This probably won’t go well for Vandy.

The ‘Dores have allowed 34.8 points per game this season, good for 101st in FBS, and the UGA offense is rolling at the moment on the strength of their running game. At this stage, everyone should know about Todd Gurley and his ongoing Heisman campaign, and if Mike Bobo and company elect to let the workhorse running back run wild in this spot, virtually anything is possible. With Sony Michel on the shelf indefinitely, freshman RB Nick Chubb should also see a great deal of work against Vanderbilt, but that two-headed monster should be more than enough to churn through the opposing defense.

Through the air, Hutson Mason was woeful at times against Tennessee, but again, he was enough to lead the offense to 35 points and a victory. It will undoubtedly be beneficial to Mason to have a near full compliment of receivers in this spot, as Malcolm Mitchell and Justin Scott-Wesley appear poised to play, but if the senior signal-caller does not appear more effective and efficient against a sub-standard opponent, the whispers about a quarterback controversy could turn into full-blown screams.

Georgia Defense vs. Vanderbilt Offense

Obviously, the UGA defense is (far) worse than the UGA offense, but in this game, the defense has the better match-up. Vanderbilt is outside of the top 100 (yes, 100) nationally in both passing (117th) and rushing (111th), and they have managed to average only 17 points per game (119th in FBS) this season.

If there is a singular player to fear in this spot, it is running back Ralph Webb, who has accumulated 422 yards on 90 carries through five games, but rushing defense is the stronger part of Jeremy Pruitt’s defense. There will be justifiable panic if the Commodores are able to throw the ball at all in this spot, but at the same time, there isn’t a great deal to be gleaned from what is, by all accounts, the most inept offense in the conference.

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The Georgia Bulldogs will enter this game as nearly a five-touchdown favorite in their home building, and as such, expectations are pretty high for a dominant performance. This is one of those games where Mark Richt and his team can do nothing to gain credence but can do everything to lose favor, but when examining the match-up, it is very difficult to see how Vanderbilt could expose the Dawgs in any meaningful way, and this should be a fun afternoon between the hedges.

Stay tuned for post-game coverage, and a live game thread that will open on Saturday morning. Check it out!