Georgia tailback D'Andre Swift (7) ran for 186 yards against Auburn last week and can take aim at his fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance when the Bulldogs host UMass on Saturday.NO. 5 GEORGIA (9-1) vs. UMASS (4-7)
4 p.m. at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia
VIDEO & RADIO
SEC Network & 102.3 FM
THE MATCHUP
University of Massachusetts senior receiver Andy Isabella leads the nation with 1,479 receiving yards, while Georgia senior cornerback Deandre Baker has been the nation's stingiest cornerback statistically, having allowed only 140 yards all season and no gains in excess of 20 yards. Unfortunately, this showdown may not occur with significant regularity given that Isabella will line up in the slot or even in the backfield, while the Bulldogs do not have Baker or any other defenders simply follow a specific receiver play after play. Georgia also can be disruptive up front to potentially negate a big day for Isabella, having limited Auburn to 274 total yards last weekend without sacking Jarrett Stidham once. "I thought that was a big difference in the game this past week," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "I thought we were able to disrupt him. We moved him out of the pocket, made him think a little bit and did some things that we hadn't been doing. I think any time that you can give the quarterback a different picture or a picture he's not clear on, you have a chance to rattle him a little bit. We just have to do a better job of finishing on him when we can get to him to get the sacks and hurries in pressures."
ONE TO WATCH
After last Saturday's 35-16 loss to visiting BYU, a game his Minutemen led 10-0, UMass coach Mark Whipple quickly pointed to the 221 rushing yards and the 5.5 yards per carry by the Cougars. "We haven't been knocked off the ball like that in some time," Whipple said in a news conference. It could be much worse for UMass this time out, because the Bulldogs have rushed for more than 300 yards in consecutive games. Georgia sophomore tailback D'Andre Swift rushed for 104 yards against Florida, 156 at Kentucky and 186 against Auburn, so a fourth straight 100-yard game is a strong possibility, though he may not play much after halftime.
IN THE END
While UMass will be playing its season finale, the Bulldogs are coming off three straight wins against teams that were in the College Football Playoff rankings at the time they played. Georgia Tech visits next week, so might Georgia sleepwalk through this one? "Every week is the same for us," senior inside linebacker Juwan Taylor said. "We prepare the same way for every opponent, no matter who we play."
PREDICTION
Georgia 44, UMass 7