The Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) are looking to stay undefeated on the year as they travel to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-2). Here are the three keys to a Bulldog victory.
By Steve Wright
1 – Offensive flow
It is nice to put up 40 points per game and win in comfortable fashion, but the opponents that the Bulldogs are going to face later in the season won’t allow Georgia the sort of explosive plays it has been relying on to score. The Bulldogs had a couple of long touchdown passes last week against South Carolina, but there were times the offense got a little bogged down due to missed assignments. This is especially true in the running game and this would be a good contest to get that flowing better against an overmatched opponent.
2 – Defensive fireworks
Where the fireworks have been good for Georgia is on defense. The Bulldogs’ defensive unit has been nothing short of spectacular in 2021, accumulating 13 sacks, a safety, and two pick-sixes through just three games. Vanderbilt has a quarterback in Ken Seals that can do a little damage if he is given time, but don’t expect the edge rush to be dialed down at all as the Georgia defensive ends and outside linebackers give Seals a torrid afternoon.
3 – Don’t turn it over
Georgia just needs to get this one done in a hurry. They are massive favorites here and the only way that massive favorites end up on the losing side – usually – is by letting an inferior opponent stick around. If the Vandy defense can take the ball away – or if the Bulldogs kill themselves with bad special teams play and penalties – then this will be far more of a contest than it needs to be down the stretch. Head coach Kirby Smart would love to keep rotating in younger players and playing smart, secure football will allow the talent difference to have this decided early in the third quarter.
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