Georgia vs. Vanderbilt

When Georgia has ball

Receiver A.J. Green is the bright spot on the Bulldogs’ offense, leading the SEC in total receiving yards (587), receiving yards per game (97.8) and receptions per game (6.3).

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs Green is carrying the load mostly by himself as the team continues to struggle on the ground. In addition, quarterback Joe Cox has been highly inconsistent throwing the ball.

The Vanderbilt defense ranks in the top five in the SEC in several categories and will spend most of its focus covering Green and rushing Cox.

Edge: Vanderbilt

When Vanderbilt has ball

Very little has gone well for the Commodores offensively as the team has struggled to find the end zone through six outings.

Vandy’s top two rushers are both freshmen, and the passing game is woeful. Once the Commodores reach the red zone a field goal try is a foregone conclusion.

If there was ever a game in which Georgia can flex its muscles defensively it’s this one.

Linebacker Rennie Curran, who leads the SEC in tackles with 63, will highlight a unit that was burned for 45 points last week and whose coordinator, Willie Martinez, is under fire from Bulldog Nation.

Edge: Georgia

Special teams

Bulldog kick returner Brandon Boykin is in the record books as the first and only player in SEC history with two 100-yard kickoff returns, having accomplished his latest breakaway run against Tennessee last week.

Blair Walsh continues to be rock solid as a placekicker, and Drew Butler is one of the nation’s best punters.

The Commodores also have a return threat in Warren Norman, who accounted for Vandy’s only touchdown against Army with a 76-yard kickoff return.

Edge: Georgia

Bottom line

Vanderbilt traditionally gives Georgia trouble, even when UGA is the superior team.

That could be the case again today, as the Commodores are desperately seeking a way to turn around a season that is quickly getting away from them.

Not only is Mark Richt’s club all but out of the hunt in the SEC East, this is a team in danger of failing to become bowl eligible. With the exception of Football Championship Subdivision foe Tennessee Tech, the Bulldogs cannot pencil in a “W” the rest of the way. Lose today, and the wheels will have officially come off for 2009.

Bobby Johnson’s team has an outstanding defense, but it hasn’t been nearly enough to prevent Vanderbilt from going into a freefall.

No matter which team wins this one it won’t necessarily serve as a springboard for a good finish to the 2009 season. At this point, however, just securing a victory is a worthy accomplishment.

Prediction: Georgia 20, Vanderbilt 10