Georgia-Vanderbilt preview

By Tim Tucker

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

3 keys to the game

1. Georgia has allowed an average of 35.75 points in SEC games this season, while Vanderbilt has scored an average of 6.33 in SEC games. So which is worse, Georgia’s defense or Vandy’s offense?

2. Georgia ranks last in the SEC in rushing offense (97.2 yards per game), while Vanderbilt ranks next-to-last in rushing defense (170.2 yards per game). So which is worse, Georgia’s running game or Vandy’s run defense?

3. Georgia has had all sorts of problems on offense the past three weeks and probably will need some big quick-strike plays to break through against Vanderbilt. Despite the Commodores’ vulnerability to the run, they rank a solid fifth in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 15.7 points per game.

A Georgia win would ...

• Prevent the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-2 SEC entering the game) from falling below .500.

• Stop the Dogs’ losing streak at two games and avert their first three-game single-season losing streak since 1990.

• Give the Dogs their 14th victory in 15 games against Vanderbilt since 1995, the loss coming in 2006 in Athens (24-22).

A Vanderbilt win would ...

• Be the Commodores’ first of the season in SEC play, following losses to LSU (23-9), Mississippi State (15-3) and Ole Miss (23-7).

• Be the Commodores’ first victory over Georgia in Nashville since 1991.

• Be particularly sweet for the 19 Georgians on the Vandy roster.

Keep an eye on ...

• For Georgia: Wide receiver A.J. Green, who had a big game against Vanderbilt last year (seven catches for 132 yards). Watch for a compelling matchup of Green vs. Myron Lewis, a talented 6-foot-2 cornerback who leads the SEC in interceptions (3).

• For Vanderbilt: The Commodores’ true freshmen tailbacks, Warren Norman (from Chamblee) and Zac Stacy. Norman is averaging 66 yards rushing per game and Stacy 47. Norman also returns kickoffs and ranks fourth in the SEC with an average of 27.7 yards per return.

The numbers game

• Plus-5: Vanderbilt’s turnover margin (14 takeaways, 9 giveaways)

• Minus-11: Georgia’s turnover margin (5 takeaways, 16 giveaways)

• 10-2: The teams’ combined record entering last year’s meeting (Georgia 5-1, Vanderbilt 5-1)

• 5-7: The teams’ combined record entering this year’s meeting (Georgia 3-3, Vanderbilt 2-4)

History book

• Last meeting: Georgia won 24-14 in Athens last year as Knowshon Moreno ran for 172 yards and Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes.

• Series record: Georgia leads 49-18-2.

The bottom line

With a two-game losing streak, an open date next week and a fan base in fury, Georgia desperately needs a victory.