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The Georgia Bulldogs are 3-1 to start the young season while their one loss to South Carolina in week three is looking worse and worse as the weeks wear on and the Gamecocks keep losing to lesser opponents. In order to make the College Football Playoff, the Bulldogs will likely need to win out.
Losing head coach James Franklin has hurt the Vanderbilt Commodores far more than anyone had anticipated — or anyone close to the program would have hoped. Vanderbilt is just 1-4 on the young season to go along with an 0-3 record in SEC play, falling in all of its conference contest by double-digit margins.
A year after Aaron Murray left for the NFL, senior fill-in quarterback Hutson Mason has taken over and Georgia’s passing offense hasn’t been nearly the same, ranking 113th in the nation in terms of yards per game. Mason is completing 69 percent of his passes for just 566 yards and five touchdowns while averaging just 6.74 yards per attempt — he also has two rushing touchdowns on 22 yards. The quarterback’s favorite target has been Michael Bennett who has 14 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns while Chris Conley is close behind with 11 catches for 151 yards. The run game has been far more impressive, ranking 10th in the land. Heisman hopeful Todd Gurley has been torching defenses this season, accounting for 610 yards and six touchdowns on 8.8 yards per touch. Sony Michel is second on the team with 223 yards and three touchdowns on an astounding 9.7 yards per carry.
Vanderbilt’s offense isn’t built to compete with anyone in the SEC. The Commodores rank just 117th in passing yards per game, 111th in rushing yards per game and 119th in points per game this season. While Patton Robinette seems to be the best option at quarterback for this team, passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns while completing 72 percent of his throws in limited time, he will be out Saturday due to a concussion. The Commodores will have to choose between Stephen Rivers and his 246 yards, 36 percent completion rate and two interceptions or Wade Freebeck and his 256 yards, 43 percent completion rate, one touchdown on five interceptions. Steven Scheu has been the top receiver, catching 13 passes for 188 yards and a score while C.J. Duncan is close behind with 10 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown. Ralph Webb leads the mediocre run game with 422 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Commodores aren’t much better than they are on the offensive side of things. Vanderbilt ranks just 101st in the nation in points allowed per game, 34.8, and 84th in total yards allowed per outing, 415. Georgia, on the other hand, has been much more impressive on defense than the lowly Commodores, ranking 51st in points allowed, 22.8, and 36th in total yards allowed with just 339 per contest. Although it should be an easy win for Georgia, Sanford Stadium will be packed and loud for this SEC contest.
Vanderbilt will travel to Georgia to take on the Bulldogs at 4 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 4. The game will be broadcasted on SEC Network.
PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 10, Georgia 49
Want to see the Bulldogs host the Commodores in week six? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
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