Vanderbilt let one get away opening week in a 14-12 loss as a 2.5-point underdog versus Western Kentucky.
Now the Commodores host top-10 Georgia in both teams SEC opener, and the ‘Dores won’t be able to match the Bulldogs offensive assault.
ODDS
Georgia is a 20-point favorite over Vanderbilt with a total of 51.5. BookMaker opened the Bulldogs as a 19-point favorite and the total was bet down sharply from the opener of 56.
Last season the ‘Dores covered as 33-point underdogs in a 44-17 loss at Georgia.
The live betting option and player props will be available at BookMaker as game time nears, but look for Nick Chubb to deliver more touchdowns and another strong performance for the visiting Dawgs.
WHEN GEORGIA HAS THE BALL
The Bulldogs are ranked top-10 in the country and boast the SEC’s top offensive line and running back in Nick Chubb, who rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in last week’s 51-14 win over UL Monroe.
The game was called with nearly 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter due to bad weather and lightning. Georgia’s deep backfield includes senior Keith Marshall, who added 73 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries as the Dawgs rolled overland for 245 rushing yards. Marshall played just three games last season after suffering a ACL injury in 2013, and he will continue to get his share of carries alongside bruising back Nick Chubb.
Recall last season when Georgia rushed for 243 yards and nearly 7.0 yards per rush against Vanderbilt with neither Chubb nor Marshall in the lineup. Chubb finished the season with nearly 1,600 rushing yards and 7.1 yards per rush, and he should have a big game against the Commodores.
Virginia transfer quarterback Greyson Lambert was 8-for-12 for 141 yards and two touchdowns in his Georgia debut, and he won’t have to pass much again this week as the Bulldogs dominate overland. Vanderbilt allowed 184 rushing yards per game last season, but did hold Western Kentucky to just 37 rushing yards.
The ‘Dores are clearly improved in the defensive front seven in the second-year of a new system with some All-SEC caliber players like defensive end Caleb Azubike and linebackers Stephen Weatherly and Nigel Bowden. But it will still be too tough to slow the Dawgs ground assault.
"We believe in running the ball and we think we do a great job of it," said Bulldog head coach Mark Richt.
WHEN VANDERBILT HAS THE BALL
The Commodores made too many mistakes last week and it started with quarterback Johnny McCrary, who tossed two interceptions in the end zone as Vanderbilt failed to score any points on three trips inside the red zone.
Vanderbilt had a 206-46 yards edge at halftime but only led Western Kentucky 3-0. The ‘Dores scored a last minute touchdown in the fourth quarter but McCray failed again on the two point conversion to tie the game.
To compete with and beat the Bulldogs you need balance on offense with a quarterback who can make plays in the passing game when needed while minimizing mistakes. McCrary is still growing and learning as a sophomore, and now has 10 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in his career. He should do better however with his three top receivers back and one of the league’s best tight ends in senior Steven Scheu, who led the team in receptions and yards last year.
The Commodores best weapon is running back Ralph Webb, but he’s likely to be slowed by a swarming Bulldogs defense as the lack of a solid passing threat will have the Bulldogs loading the box and forcing quarterback McCrary into more mistakes.
BETTING TRENDS AND MATCHUPS
Vanderbilt upset Georgia on this field in 2013 rallying for a 31-27 win as a 6.5-point underdog. The ‘Dores are 3-1 ATS at home versus Georgia and Vanderbilt has a situational advantage with Georgia hosting South Carolina next week.
When live betting, the early portion of this game should be focused on the running games for both teams, as Georgia’s strength is clearly along the line of scrimmage and at running back, but Vanderbilt’s strength is their defensive front seven.
However, the Commodores will try to run the football to control the ball, clock and chains to stay competitive, making less scoring and field position worth watching in the first half.
BookMaker sent out the college football spread for this game at Georgia -19 with a total of 56. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem, BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The contest between the Georgia Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores will take place Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Vanderbilt Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
