Georgia vs. Vanderbilt: Bulldogs Beware an SEC Trap Game

It’s beginning to look like the only thing between the Georgia Bulldogs and an SEC championship game berth could be the Florida Gators. And the only things between the Bulldogs and that Gator matchup is a trip to Vanderbilt, classic trap game fodder for the Dawgs.

On paper, Vanderbilt should be no match for the streaking Bulldogs, but this is a game Georgia can’t afford to overlook. Although extremely unlikely, the ingredients are there for Vanderbilt to upset the Bulldogs if the ‘Dores can find the right recipe and get cooking on Saturday.

First and foremost, Vanderbilt’s defense is going to have to create a lot of big plays to keep their team in the game. Whether it be through sacks, tackles for losses, staunch third-down play or turnovers, the Commodores are going to have to win the field position battle and start with some short fields if they want to stay in this game. There’s very little chance the Vanderbilt offense is going to be able to consistently drive the length of the field against Todd Grantham’s stingy 3-4 defense.

The old axiom goes, “The best defense is a good offense.” This weekend against the Dawgs, Vanderbilt will need to flip that axiom on its head. With Georgia’s defense coming in on fire against an inept Vanderbilt offense, the Commodores’ defense may have the best chance of finding the Georgia endzone.

With three interceptions returned for touchdowns so far, Vanderbilt defenders have accounted for more than 20 percent of the Commodores’ points this season. Vandy cornerback Trey Wilson is one of only three players in the nation with multiple pick-sixes this season.

Aaron Murray has put up solid numbers so far this season, but has also thrown six interceptions through the first six games. On the other hand, Vanderbilt leads the nation in picks with 14, three of which were returned for scores.

Georgia also comes into the game nine fumbles. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, only one of those nine was recovered by the opposition. The Bulldogs will be playing with fire if they keep putting the ball on the ground against a very opportunistic Vanderbilt defense.

Although Murray’s interceptions may be a more glaring statistic, Georgia’s running backs’ ability to hold on to the ball will play an even bigger role in this game. With leading receiver Malcolm Mitchell on the sidelines with a pulled hamstring injury, look for Georgia to employ a slightly more run-heavy offense against the ‘Dores on Saturday.

Freshman Isaiah Crowell has been outstanding all season and should carry the Bulldog offense on Saturday. However, Crowell did suffer a bruised right wrist in Georgia’s victory against Tennessee. Look for the Commodore defense to key in on that right wrist and try to knock Crowell out of the game, or at least the ball out of his hand.

While I believe offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will focus on a run-first offense in Nashville, look for the Murray and the Bulldogs to catch Vanderbilt biting on play-action passes.  Murray still has his favorite target and high school teammate Orson Charles at tight end, and junior wideout Tavarres King had his best game of 2011 last week against Tennessee.

While this has all the makings of a classic trap game for Georgia, I would not advise Vanderbilt fans to get too excited about this one. Georgia is hardly a team playing with a sense of entitlement. After last season’s abysmal 6-7 record, these players definitely know it takes more donning that beautiful red helmet and the classic silver britches to win football games. If Georgia just plays solid and doesn’t beat themselves, there’s not much chance that Vanderbilt will come out of this one on top.

Prediction: Georgia wins this game handily. Final score: 24-6.

Game notes:

Georgia has won 15 of the last 16 contests against Vanderbilt, including a 43-0 beat down last year in Athens. Georgia has dominated Vanderbilt in the history of series, owning a 51-18-2 all time record against the Commodores, and have posted a 9-1 record against the 'Dores during Mark Richt's tenure.

Expect another big game from Georgia junior ILB Michael Gilliard this week. Gilliard has led the team in tackles for the duration of Georgia’s four-game winning streak. Gilliard also earned SEC defensive player of the week honors after recording 12 tackles, a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble against Tennessee last week.

Georgia will be without OLB Cornelius Washington for the second straight week as he completes a two-game suspension for an Oct. 2 DUI arrest. Chase Vasser will get his second straight start in replacement of Washington, with the highly touted recruit Ray Drew third on the depth chart behind sophomore Rueben Faloughi.

This game features two players tied for second in the country with four interceptions in Georgia’s Bacarri Rambo and Vanderbilt’s Casey Hayward. Both players have also returned an interception for a touchdown this season.