Georgia Bulldogs Football: The Vanderbilt Commodores Names To Know on Saturday
The Georgia Bulldogs and the Vanderbilt Commodores are both coming off wins, which is quite hard to believe at this point in the season.
The Bulldogs will be looking to improve to 3-4 by taking out Vanderbilt, a team that seems to always find itself at the bottom of the SEC totem pole.
This year is really no different for the Commodores. They have a 2-3 record with the two wins came against Mississippi and Eastern Michigan.
Both their offensive and defensive squads definitely need some work, so the Bulldogs probably deserve their status as a 14-point favorite.
There is some talent on both sides of the ball though for Vanderbilt.
Read on to see just which names you should know for Saturday's game between the hedges of Sanford Stadium.
Larry Smith
1 of 5
Last Week
52-6 win over the Eastern Michigan Eagles
16/27, 253 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
6 carries, 17 yards, 1 touchdown
This Season
67/119, 793 yards, 5 touchdowns, 3 interceptions
48 carries, 141 yards, 2 touchdowns
The Reaction
Larry Smith has been just decent for Vanderbilt so far this season.
Last week against the Eagles of Eastern Michigan, he broke the 200-yard mark with his arm for just the second time this season. The first was in a loss to Northwestern.
He's not been making many mistakes, but he's also been quite inefficient. Only Jordan Jefferson of LSU has a lower quarterback efficiency in the SEC.
Smith is a dual threat though, just not one on the same level as Denard Robinson or Cameron Newton. The defense will need to stay disciplined on Saturday.
Warren Norman
2 of 5
Last Week
52-6 win over the Eastern Michigan Eagles
14 carries, 75 yards, 2 touchdowns
2 receptions, 31 yards
This Season
53 carries, 327 yards, 4 touchdowns
7 receptions, 85 yards
The Reaction
Warren Norman proved he was dangerous last year when he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
This year, however, has been a little more difficult. He's only racked up 327 rushing yards, but he is averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
The Dawgs also need to stop the dynamic running back on special teams.
Norman fits the running back mold that has given the Bulldogs trouble so far this season, so keep an eye on him for sure.
Brandon Barden
3 of 5
Last Week
52-6 win over the Eastern Michigan Eagles
2 receptions, 19 yards
This Season
17 receptions, 172 yards, 2 touchdowns
The Reaction
None of the pass-catchers for the Commodores really pose a big threat to the Georgia secondary. But of them, the tight end Brandon Barden would be the man most likely to do some damage.
He's the leading receiver this season in terms of receptions, yards and touchdowns. That really says more about the lack of passing offense than Barden's talent though.
Barden does have great hands though, and Georgia needs to make sure not to leave him open in key situations.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Chris Marve
4 of 5
On a lackluster defense, Marve is almost assuredly the best player.
He led the team in tackles last season and looks to do the same this year, bringing some hope to an inept rushing defense.
He'll be looking to bring down whoever is carrying the ball for the Dawgs. And more than that, he'll be looking to poke the ball lose and force some turnovers.
Although come to think of it, now that Washaun Ealey is the lead back again, he may not even need to try to knock it lose. . .
Casey Hayward
5 of 5
As you can see from the picture, Casey Hayward has given Georgia some problems before.
Hayward already has four interceptions this year, a number that places him second in the entire SEC.
As the top cornerback on the Vanderbilt team, he will surely be matched up with A.J. Green all night.
Good luck, Casey, you'll need it.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
