Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1 SEC) at No. 5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC), 7:45 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Georgia by 15½.
Series record: Georgia leads 52-18-2.
Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1 SEC) at No. 5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC), 7:45 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Georgia by 15½.
Series record: Georgia leads 52-18-2.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Georgia begins a stretch of seven straight SEC games and simply cannot afford a loss with tougher opponents such as South Carolina and Florida lurking on the schedule. Vanderbilt coach James Franklin has received plenty of praise for changing the team's losing attitude, but he needs a signature win. The Commodores haven't beaten a ranked SEC team since 2008 and they've lost 16 of 17 meetings against the Bulldogs.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones vs. Vanderbilt's offensive line. Jones rested up a nagging groin injury last week and is expected to be back on the field against the Commodores. They must do a better job than Missouri did two weeks ago against one of the nation's top defensive players. Jones was a one-man wrecking crew with two sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception that he nearly brought back for a touchdown.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vanderbilt: QB Austyn Carta-Samuels. Took over the starting role last week and guided the Commodores to 605 yards of offense in a 58-0 rout of lower-division Presbyterian. A transfer from Wyoming, where he started two years, Carta-Samuels completed 13 of 20 passes for 195 yards. The former starter, Jordan Rodgers (younger brother of Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers), could also get some playing time.