GEORGIA’S LOW MORALE VS. QUEST FOR REDEMPTION

Let’s not kid ourselves – the Bulldogs are hurting right now.

They’re .500 this late in the season for the first time since 1996 and third in the SEC East, with no real control over what were their original goals for the season.

If the players truly don’t believe that the 2009 season is one lost down the drain already, the road to redemption starts in Nashville.

These types of games are typically ones that can be hard to get up for, but this one has all the makings of a chance for Georgia to come out motivated and dominate a team like it should.

Success in this game goes a long way to showing that the Bulldogs can still be relevant in the conference. Failure could mean total meltdown.

VANDERBILT’S UNBALANCED DEFENSE VS. GEORGIA’S UNBALANCED OFFENSE

Georgia can’t run the ball. Vanderbilt can’t stop the run.

Georgia can pass the ball (predominantly to A.J. Green). Vanderbilt has the conference’s No. 2 pass defense.

Hm.

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said this week that he’s done a poor job of sticking with the run when it doesn’t succeed immediately.

Expect the Bulldogs to come out running the ball early, and if they’re stopped don’t be surprised if they don’t completely abandon it.

And if that run does get established, Green could be a scary, scary man Saturday.

RICHARD SAMUEL VS. VANDY’S FUMBLE-MAKING MACHIINE

Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve is the Commodores’ version of Rennie Curran.

The sophomore has 56 tackles this season, second in the SEC only to Curran – but he has an added dimension that makes him possibly even more valuable.

Marve has forced three fumbles in 2009 which, again, leads the conference.

That’s bad news for a fumble-prone tailback like Georgia’s Richard Samuel. While Samuel isn’t the only Bulldog tailback that will see the field Saturday, he’ll start.

VANDERBILT’S PITIFUL PASSING ATTACK VS. GEORGIA’S PITIFUL SECONDARY

The Commodores are averaging a league-worst 146.7 passing yards per game this season and only have two passing touchdowns.

Georgia’s secondary is surrendering 249 yards per game through the air, 11th-best in SEC.

Ouch.

Georgia coaches Mark Richt and Willie Martinez have both said the youngsters Baccari Rambo and Branden Smith will see some more reps this week, trying to shake up the veteran-laden, underachieving rotation.

One of these two units will have to step up Saturday, and our bet is on the Bulldogs (but hey, if Jonathan Crompton can do it, who knows).

MYRON LEWIS VS. JOE COX

Georgia quarterback Joe Cox has thrown eight interceptions this year. Vandy corner Myron Lewis has caught three, which leads the SEC.

Lewis hasn’t lined up in the position that would be opposite A.J. Green much this year, which could be a double-edged sword.

Lewis could take advantage of a mistake by a lesser Georgia receiver more easily, but, in turn, Green’s already shown what he can do against any corner in the nation.

We won’t know if Lewis makes the shift over to defend Green’s flanker position until Saturday.

But regardless of where he’s at on the field, Cox has to be aware of Lewis.

PRINCE MILLER VS. ANYBODY

Seriously, we’re wondering if Miller can even cover his nose when he sneezes. If he were to ever wager on anything, he probably wouldn’t cover the spread.

But seriously, Prince got beat for at least two touchdowns against Tennessee, surprising since he is the oldest Bulldog cornerback. We know getting burned doesn’t sit well with Miller, and he’s looking to bounce back.

Still, we’re betting he gets beat big time at least once Saturday.