The Matchup: Vanderbilt (1-4, 0-2) at Georgia (3-1, 1-1)
The Venue: Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
The Kick: 4 p.m. ET, Saturday
TV: SEC Network
Series record: Georgia leads the all-time series with a record of 53-19-2.
Last meeting: Vanderbilt snapped a six-game losing streak to Georgia last season, 31-27. It was the Commodores’ first win over a ranked opponent since 2008.
Coaches: Mark Richt (129-46); Derek Mason (1-4)
Last game (Vanderbilt): Faulty quarterback play continued to plague the Commodores during a 17-7 loss at Kentucky, the Wildcats’ first SEC win in three seasons. Vanderbilt’s only score came on Darrius Sims’ interception return for a touchdown.
Last game (Georgia): The Bulldogs avoided a home letdown against Tennessee behind Todd Gurley’s career-high 208 yards during a 35-32 victory.
Vanderbilt wins if: The Commodores can make quarterback Hutson Mason the focal point offensively. Shutting down Gurley and rest of Georgia’s dominant rushing attack has to be priority No. 1 in upsetting the Bulldogs.
Georgia wins if: Gurley gets more than 15 carries and Jeremy Pruitt’s defense pins its ears back against freshman quarterback Wade Freebeck and a struggling offensive line. Controlling the line of scrimmage is Georgia’s recipe for a beatdown.
What it means if Vanderbilt wins: The SEC East looks a lot worse. It appears Georgia’s the clear frontrunner at the moment despite already having one loss in league play.
What it means if Georgia wins: The Bulldogs can move on in prep for next week’s pivotal showdown at Mizzou.
