Here’s everything you need to know about today’s marquee matchup between the No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2) and the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (8-3).

When: Saturday, Nov. 22
Where: Athens, Ga.
Game Time: 12 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Current Line: N/A

Game Buzz: Georgia gets a late-season matchup against an FCS team from the Big South Conference, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. It comes at a good time for the Bulldogs, who lost Todd Gurley for the rest of the season mere hours after getting him back in the lineup.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Players to watch:

  • QB Hutson Mason
  • RB Nick Chubb
  • RB Sony Michel
  • WR Malcolm Mitchell
  • OL John Theus
  • LB Amarlo Herrera
  • LB Leonard Floyd
  • CB Damian Swann

Keys for Georgia:

  • Get your work in early. The Bulldogs might be done with SEC play, but they need to stay sharp in case they end up with a trip to Atlanta in December for the SEC Championship game. We saw what Georgia did with an overmatched foe earlier this season, a 66-0 pasting of Troy, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if this game had a similar result. The starters need to be sharp and execute in however much field time they get to make sure the Bulldogs stay on a roll.
  • Stay healthy. This is easier said than done, as Georgia still needs to be going full-tilt all afternoon; playing any other way would be dangerous. After losing Gurley last week, though, the Dawgs certainly can’t afford any more injuries on the offensive side of the ball. That goes back to the first key of playing hard early so the backups can get some reps later in the game.

Most interesting part of this game: Will Nick Chubb keep up his streak of impressive performances? Chubb has run for 140 or more yards in five straight contests, the NCAA’s longest such streak in five years. Running behind a dominant offensive line, he’ll have a chance to once again put up some more big numbers against the Buccaneers.

Team buzz: The Bulldogs aren’t done yet. Despite finishing out their SEC schedule with a statement win over Auburn, Georgia has to sit and wait for things to play out. All the Bulldogs need is a loss from Missouri, which still has two tough SEC games left to play, and they’re in Atlanta with a shot to crack into the playoffs.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS

Players to watch: 

  • QB Austin Brown
  • RB Christian Reyes
  • RB Mike Holloway
  • WR Kolton Korn
  • TE Nathan Prater
  • DL Skyler Skersick
  • LB Aaron Brown
  • LB Gabe Middlebrook
  • DB Troy McGowens

Keys for Charleston Southern:

  • Force some turnovers. The best way for a big underdog to stay in a game like this is to earn extra possessions. That happens to be something Charleston Southern is quite good at, with a positive turnover margin and 21 total takeaways on the season. With a strong offense and physical running game helping them average 30.2 points per game, extra possessions would be a huge boon.
  • Make Georgia throw. If the Buccaneers let Georgia get rolling on the ground, they could be in trouble. Charleston Southern is solid in both phases of defense, allowing just over 300 total yards per game. With 14 interceptions on the season, they’d like to see Hutson Mason have to take to the air to score points, giving the Buccaneers a chance to create havoc.

Most interesting part of this game: Can the Buccaneers help their FCS playoff cause? Charleston Southern is in the hunt for a playoff bid, and they have a chance to impress against Georgia. Having already played Vanderbilt close, losing 21-20, the Buccaneers have the 12th-hardest schedule in FCS.

Team buzz: Believe it or not, the Buccaneers are disappointed they don’t get to face Gurley this week. With a large contingent of players from Georgia, the Buccaneers are fired up to get to play between the hedges at Sanford Stadium.