Position-by-position edge: Georgia vs. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt heads to Athens looking for its third win of the season, while Georgia’s young team seeks to improve back at home.
The Bulldogs have the talent to make this a lopsided affair, but nothing has been as easy as it should be for Georgia in 2016. Vanderbilt took Florida to the very brink two weeks ago, and Derek Mason surely has his team prepared to play the underdog role in this one.
Let’s take a look at how these teams stack up for Saturday’s noon kickoff.
When Georgia has the ball
QB Jacob Eason vs. Vanderbilt’s pass defense: After struggling for the second time this season on the road, Eason will look to correct things between the hedges. The true freshman had his worst statistical outing on a windy Sunday afternoon in Columbia, completing just 5 of his 17 pass attempts for 29 yards with a touchdown and an interception each.
He will face a Vanderbilt defense that is ranked No. 47 against the pass, allowing 215.3 yards per game. It’s difficult to pin down just how talented Vandy’s pass defense is, however, as they have been up and down this season but limited Florida to 144 passing yards two weeks ago and Kentucky to 49 yards last week.
Eason has struggled with accuracy at times this season but should have plenty of time to operate Saturday. The Commodores are among the worst teams in college football at rushing the passer and have only five sacks. If Eason is on his game, Georgia should have the toughest passing attack Vanderbilt has seen thus far.
Edge: Georgia
Nick Chubb & Co. against Vanderbilt’s run defense: Although Eason struggled mightily against South Carolina, the Bulldogs’ running game sprung to life. After getting a good amount of time to rest and heal, Nick Chubb showed the type of burst he hasn’t displayed since last season. Factor in Sony Michel and Brian Herrien (below), who combined with Chubb to help the Bulldogs gain 326 yards on the ground against the Gamecocks, and Georgia’s run offense is once again lethal.
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That success should continue against a Vanderbilt run defense that is ranked No. 79, allowing just over 175 yards per contest. Kentucky gashed the Commodores defense for 258 yards on the ground, and it could be a similarly difficult outing in this one.
Edge: Georgia
UGA WRs vs. Vanderbilt’s secondary: Drops were again a problem for Georgia’s wide receivers against South Carolina, as Isaiah McKenzie let a touchdown pass slip through his fingers. It’s difficult to tell whether Eason’s struggles have negatively impacted this group or whether they aren’t giving their quarterback the help he needs.
Tre Herndon, Torren McGaster and Taurean Ferguson form a veteran defensive backfield that has combined for 14 pass breakups. They will get a tough draw with McKenzie, Terry Godwin and Isaac Nauta, but Georgia’s passing game isn’t a major threat right now and this could be fairly even.
Edge: Push
When Vanderbilt has the ball
QB Kyle Shurmur vs. Georgia’s pass defense: Perry Orth had his best game of the season against the Bulldogs’ pass defense, completing over 70 percent of his passes for 288 yards with a pick. Most of those throws were in the short-to-intermediate range, but it was still a bit of a surprise considering South Carolina’s quarterback woes.
Kyle Shurmur has been comparable to Orth this season but doesn’t have the same type of weapons at his disposal. Georgia’s pass rush hasn’t been much of a factor this season, but the secondary has been among the SEC’s best at creating turnovers. There might not be many good opportunities for Shurmur downfield, and the Bulldogs are OK with limiting Vanderbilt to underneath routes.
Edge: Georgia
RB Ralph Webb vs. Georgia’s run defense: For much of the season, Webb was the SEC’s leading rusher. He has gained 682 yards and 5 touchdowns this season, including back-to-back 100-yard games. Only once this season has he been held under 90 yards, and Webb (below) is the biggest part of this team’s offense.
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Against Georgia, Webb will face a big challenge. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 25 against the run, allowing 119 yards per game, and limited South Carolina to only 30 yards. Webb gained over 100 yards against Florida’s stout defense, though, and this will likely be the best matchup of the afternoon.
Edge: Push
Vanderbilt WRs vs. Georgia’s secondary: Because the Commodores’ offense revolves around the run game, the wide receivers haven’t been able to put up big numbers. Kalija Lipscomb and C.J. Duncan lead the team in receiving with 200 yards and 192 yards, respectively. Vanderbilt has only three touchdowns through the air but faces a group that has allowed 11 touchdown catches.
Georgia’s struggles came mostly against Missouri, Ole Miss and Tennessee, which have some of the best receivers in the league. Vanderbilt isn’t at that level, and the Bulldogs should be able to contain this group.
Edge: Georgia
Special teams
The Bulldogs had a kickoff return for a touchdown against South Carolina when Terry Godwin returned the Gamecocks’ onside attempt. It was Georgia’s first special teams touchdown, but the Bulldogs have the potential to score in any game.
Vanderbilt is much more dangerous on kickoff returns than on punt returns. Darrius Sims and Ralph Webb form a tremendous duo in the return game and have combined to gain 379 yards on kickoff returns this season, although they have yet to take one to the house. Georgia has struggled in kickoff coverage at times, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Commodores get that first touchdown Saturday.
A pair of talented freshmen handle the punting duties for these teams. Sam Loy has been very good for Vanderbilt, averaging 42.5 yards per punt. Georgia’s Marshall Long has been solid, averaging 39.5 yards per kick.
Field goals are easily the Bulldogs’ biggest weakness on special teams. While Rodrigo Blankenship was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra points against South Carolina, Kirby Smart still appears to be nervous about sending the field goal unit out in games. Tommy Openshaw, meanwhile, has been steady for Vanderbilt and has converted 7 of his 9 field goal attempts and all 13 of his extra points.
Edge: Vanderbilt
