No. 13 Georgia plays host to Vanderbilt

Athens, GA – Athens, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - The 13th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs will close out a three-game homestand at Sanford Stadium on Saturday afternoon when they play host to the Vanderbilt Commodores in SEC Eastern Division action.

Vanderbilt's season has been a struggle under first-year head coach Derek Mason, with its only win coming at home against Massachusetts on Sept. 13, 34-31. The Commodores most recently dropped a 17-7 decision at Kentucky to fall to 0-3 in the SEC.

"This team is a young team and the best thing we can do is do what we can do," Mason said. "That means capitalize on our opportunities and just go out there and get it done. In the end, I am just looking at our team and we're getting better. We just have to continue to minimize the mistakes and maximize the opportunities."

Georgia got off to a rough start in division play with a 38-35 loss at South Carolina on Sept. 13 but has since bounced back with two straight wins. The Bulldogs weren't at their sharpest last Saturday hosting Tennessee but still came away with a 35-32 victory.

The Bulldogs caught a break when South Carolina lost to Missouri last week, meaning they now control their own destiny en route to the SEC Championship Game.

"When it comes to mathematics, we're now in control if we win the rest of our Southeastern Conference regular season games, then we win the East," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "I haven't even thought about everybody else. The goal is to hopefully have control and then win."

The Bulldogs have a comfortable 53-19-2 advantage over the Commodores in the all-time series, which includes wins in 27 of 31 matchups at Sanford Stadium.

It's no surprise that Vanderbilt's offense has been underwhelming. The unit puts up a mere 17.0 ppg and 255.6 ypg and managed only 144 yards in last week's loss.

Wade Freebeck got the call under center against Kentucky and struggled mightily, completing only 8-of-25 passes for 85 yards, tossing three interceptions and getting sacked four times. The Commodores have used four quarterbacks this season, with their most successful - Patton Robinette (23- of-32, 240 yards, two TDs) - questionable with a concussion.

Ralph Webb is one of the team's few bright spots, as he's carried the ball 90 times for 427 yards and a touchdown.

Steven Scheu has 13 receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown, while C.J. Duncan has turned 10 catches into 186 yards and a score.

Vanderbilt's defense saw improvement last week in holding UK to 17 points while forcing three turnovers, but its year-to-date numbers are still sluggish (34.8 ppg, 415.4 ypg).

Nigel Bowden holds the team lead in tackles with 36. Caleb Azubike has generated a solid pass-rush with 5.5 TFL and 4.0 sacks.

Georgia has had no problem generating offense this season (45.2 ppg, 462.5 ypg) and that success can be attributed largely to perhaps the best running back in college football.

Todd Gurley has been nothing short of magnificent on the campaign, rushing for 610 yards (on 8.8 ypc) and six touchdowns. He helped wear down the Tennessee defense in last week's win with 28 carries for a career-high 208 yards and two scores.

"Earlier in the year, I said (Gurley) is at least one of the best players in the country," Richt said. "Now I'm saying he's the best player in America. I can't imagine anyone being more talented, a guy who loves his team more, and a guy who means more to his team than he does to us."

Gurley's presence has taken a lot of pressure off of Hutson Mason under center. He boasts an outstanding completion percentage (.690) but has only thrown for 141.5 ypg with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Michael Bennett (14 receptions, 147 yards, two TDs) and Chris Conley (11 receptions, 151 yards) are Mason's most trusted receiving options. Gurley has also added nine receptions but for just 29 yards.

Defensively, the Bulldogs have performed admirably, allowing 22.8 ppg and 338.8 ypg.

Amarlo Herrera (34 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) and Ramik Wilson (32 tackles, 5.0 TFL, sack) anchor a strong linebacking corps. Jordan Jenkins (4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and Leonard Floyd (3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks) are impressive edge-rushers.