ULM (0-0) AT NO. 9 GEORGIA (0-0)
Noon * Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. * SEC Network & 102.3 FM
THE MATCHUP
The University of Louisiana at Monroe returns 17 starters (specialists included) from last year's team that finished 4-8. Three of its losses were to LSU, Kentucky and Texas A&M, with the Warhawks losing just 21-16 to the Aggies. ULM will face Alabama later this month, and sixth-year coach Todd Berry believes he is taking a healthy and confident bunch to Sanford Stadium. "Our players have been especially mature on defense, and this senior class has really taken over the team," Berry said. "It's going to be a hostile environment at Georgia, but I don't worry about that getting to our older players, because they've been in these type of venues an awful lot and have had marginal success in these games." How the Warhawks handle the first few minutes today could determine whether folks will still be interested by halftime.
ONE TO WATCH
This time last week, Bulldogs football coach Mark Richt had mentioned there being a better-than-average chance of multiple quarterbacks being used this afternoon. That may still happen, but Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert was tabbed the starter on Monday and took first-team reps all week. "He's always been a really focused guy," Richt said following Wednesday's practice. "He's trying to take charge and show leadership." Lambert would have to be wretched for Richt to pull the trigger early and send in Brice Ramsey or Faton Bauta, and that's where Nick Chubb factors into things. Should Chubb break a long run within the first couple of possessions, that could relax Lambert and allow him to settle into developing a passing game that counts three freshmen among its top six receivers.
IN THE END
ULM upset Alabama in 2007, which was Nick Saban's first season, and topped John L. Smith and Arkansas in overtime in 2012. Might Saban and Smith be the best and worst SEC mentors of the past decade? Digressing aside, this could stay close for a while if Lambert struggles early and the Warhawks play turnover-free, but Chubb is Chubb for a reason. Expect the super sophomore tailback to be around 100 yards by halftime, and expect backup Sony Michel to be near 100 by game's end. The spread for this game is 35 points, but Richt pointed out this week his admiration and respect for Berry, so there isn't any kind of need to pile on.
PREDICTION: Bulldogs 42, Warhawks 13
- David Paschall