Todd Gurley’s Heisman campaign could move into high gear Saturday afternoon against Vanderbilt.

In 16 starts against SEC teams, the junior bulldozer’s averaging 105.3 rushing yards per game. Ten of his 12 career 100-yard games have been against SEC competition, including a 130-yard, two-touchdown outing against Vanderbilt as a freshman in 2012.

Gurley’s coming off a career-high 208-yard effort last week against Tennessee, a performance that included 12 carries for 129 yards in the final frame.

“He reminds me of Adrian Peterson,” said Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason earlier this week. “I had a chance to see him (Peterson) up close, and when you watch Gurley on film he’s physical, he breaks tackles. He’s facing nine-, 10-man boxes every week and he’s productive, so it starts and ends with him.”

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Gurley’s picking up first downs in rapid succession, tallying a SEC-best 8.8 yards per carry for tailbacks with at least 30 attempts. He’s only been held under 100 yards once this season, but that was because he played all of two series during a 66-0 win over Troy on Sept. 20.

One would expect a light workload against an Eastern Division bottom dweller in Athens, but recent injuries to Keith Marshall and Sony Michel has depleted Georgia’s depth in the backfield.

Gurley’s the workhorse with freshman Nick Chubb and sophomore Brendan Douglas handling second and third-team duties. Isaiah McKenzie has developed more into a special teams and receiving threat.

“Gurley’s a downhill runner, great vision and strong,” Mason said. “It starts and ends with Gurley, so that’s where we have to start defensively.”

Linebacker Caleb Azubike, Vanderbilt’s best player on defense with four sacks, isn’t as complimentary.

“Todd Gurley is just another running back in the SEC we’re going to have to tackle,” Azubike said. “I feel like given the strength and given the size of our defense we are going to be able to handle that quite properly.”