UGA vs. Vanderbilt Prediction, Game Preview
UGA vs. Vanderbilt prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Bulldogs and Commodores.
UGA vs. Vanderbilt prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Bulldogs and Commodores.
UGA vs. Vanderbilt Game Preview
When: Saturday, October 15 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
TV Broadcast: SEC Network
After a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee and having to wait a day longer for its matchup against South Carolina, Georgia came through with a 28-14 win over the Gamecocks in Columbia on Sunday. The running back duo of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb rushed for a combined 254 yards, with Chubb reaching the end zone two times in his return.
Vanderbilt continued its downward spiral, losing to Kentucky, 20-13, in a game where the offense couldn’t find the end zone, as the only touchdown came on a fumble recovery by Taurean Ferguson. Running back Ralph Webb was solid, rushing for 100 yards, but the defense was shredded on the ground, giving up 258 yards to what’s normally a pretty tame Kentucky rushing attack.
What To Know About UGA
What was going on with Jacob Eason against South Carolina? The true freshman quarterback completed only five passes on 17 attempts for 29 yards while throwing a touchdown and an interception. He was saved by the Michel and Chubb in that game, but the Vanderbilt defense is just as good, if not better, than the Gamecocks’ unit.
A previous horrific passing game for the Gamecocks woke up against the Bulldogs’ secondary, with Perry Orth throwing for 288 yards. Shutting down Vanderbilt Kyle Shurmur should be easy, but the main focus for the Dawgs will be keeping Webb from getting going on the ground.
What to Know About Vanderbilt
Webb rushed for 100 yards, but was unable to find the end zone for the Commodores in the loss to Kentucky. The rest of the Vanderbilt offense has been pretty insignificant this season, and must get better for the Commodores to field any chance at somehow turning the season around and making a bowl game.
The defense has been solid, though uncharacteristically gave up a lot of yards on the ground last week. Linebacker Zach Cunningham remains the main man on the Commodores defense, recording 62 total tackles with 10.5 for a loss.
Advantages
Offense: UGA. Was Eason’s performance against South Carolina growing pains, an anomaly or a sign of things to come? Whatever the answer, he luckily has one of the nation’s best running back duos to lean on.
Defense: Vanderbilt. Defense is keeping the Commodores in games, but unfortunately the offense is not doing enough to pull it out in the end.
Special Teams: Vanderbilt. The field goal kicking situation remains a sore spot for the Bulldogs.
Coaching: UGA. How many days does Derek Mason have left in Nashville?
Intangibles: UGA. The Bulldogs still have a chance at the SEC East, and cannot afford to lose this one.
Matchup To Watch
UGA running game vs. Vanderbilt front seven
Stopping Michel and Chubb might be a little too much to ask, but making Eason throw the ball could put some added pressure on the true freshman after such a horrible performance.
UGA vs. Vanderbilt Betting Odds
Spread: Georgia -14.5
Over/Under: 43.5
UGA vs. Vanderbilt Prediction
Georgia will face its second straight opponent that has a good enough defense and mediocre (at best) offense. Eason will need to keep his confidence up, so expect the Bulldogs to run some short routes and easy out passes early in the game to get him back into the flow. Chubb and Michel will do their thing, and Georgia will cruise to an easy victory.
UGA vs. Vanderbilt Score Prediction: Georgia 30, Vanderbilt 10
