Georgia football coach Kirby Smart congratulates freshman quarterback Justin Fields on his 15-yard touchdown runs during last week’s home win against Tennessee.No. 2 GEORGIA (5-0, 3-0 SEC) vs. VANDERBILT (3-2, 0-1)
7:30 p.m. at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
VIDEO & RADIO
SEC Network & 102.3 FM
THE MATCHUP
Georgia’s passing defense is ranked second nationally in fewest yards allowed per completion (8.37), third in fewest yards per attempt (4.98) and has already limited one touted Southeastern Conference senior quarterback. In a 43-29 win at Missouri two weeks ago, the Bulldogs held Drew Lock to 221 passing yards and without a touchdown toss. Now it’s Kyle Shurmur getting another crack, having been a part of Vanderbilt’s 17-16 upset win in Sanford Stadium two years ago but also having endured last season’s 45-14 shellacking in Nashville. Completing the deep ball against Georgia this season has been nonexistent for the most part, but Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart believes Shurmur is capable of providing a challenge. “Kyle has a tremendous receiving corps, and he’s very intelligent,” Smart said. “He understands the system he plays in. He’s able to know what coverage you’re in. He knows where to go with the ball. He knows what matchups are right. He’s a really good quarterback who understands the game and one of the many in the SEC now who are grown up. Two years ago, these guys we were playing were freshmen and sophomores. Now they’re all older and better players, but he’ll certainly be able to test us deep because they have the capability of doing that.”
ONES TO WATCH
After last Saturday’s 38-12 triumph over Tennessee, perhaps it’s best to simply nominate Georgia’s quarterback position instead of picking a player. Sophomore Jake Fromm has completed passes this season at a 72.5-percent clip and ranks sixth nationally in efficiency, while five-star freshman Justin Fields rushed for a pair of touchdowns last weekend and is 15-of-19 passing this season. Against the Volunteers, Fields played more minutes than he has yet, so who knows how this game will play out? “They’re both extremely good quarterbacks,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said. “Fromm is extremely accurate and knows that offense. He’s in his second year, and he’s continuing to get better and is starting to master the nuances of what (offensive coordinator Jim) Chaney wants. When you look at Justin Fields, he’s an extremely talented quarterback, and you’re starting to see his athleticism and his intelligence show on the football field. They’re utilizing him in a way to where they can play to his strengths.”
IN THE END
Vanderbilt is visiting Sanford Stadium for the 25th time as Georgia’s homecoming foe, but the Commodores have spoiled things before, including two years ago. “I was a freshman when they came in here and beat us,” junior running back Elijah Holyfield said. “We have not forgotten that. Vanderbilt is always a very strong competitor, and they always play good, physical defense.” The Commodores opened this season with solid victories over Middle Tennessee State and Nevada before nearly winning at Notre Dame. They haven’t been the same since, losing badly to South Carolina before escaping Tennessee State, so unless they can regroup in a hurry, this won’t be close.
PREDICTION
Georgia 44, Vanderbilt 13