Georgia Bulldogs vs. Vanderbilt Commodores outlook

Georgia will travel back to Tennessee on Saturday. This time it will be to Nashville to take on SEC East-foe Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs, who dropped their first two games to start the season, look to continue their impressive winning streak which currently sits at four. The Dawgs are 4-2 overall and are tied atop the Eastern Division at 3-1 in conference play.

Vanderbilt comes into Saturday’s game hoping to remain unbeaten at home this year. The Commodores took a 34-0 pounding this past weekend to #2 Alabama, but Georgia head coach Mark Richt is well aware of the challenge Vanderbilt presents.

“They are an outstanding team and a team we have a lot of respect for,” Richt told the media Tuesday.

“They have improved a lot, have won some games and will have a lot of momentum going into the game this weekend. We have to be ready to play.”

Georgia will be without a key offensive player on Saturday, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell. The freshman wideout had three catches for 126 yards before suffering a hamstring injury in the game against Tennessee. Mitchell, who leads the team with 25 receptions and 438 yards receiving, will have an extra week to get healthy next week as the Bulldogs do not play. He is hopeful to return October 29, when Georgia squares off against rival Florida in Jacksonville.

Another Georgia freshman, running back Isaiah Crowell, seemed to come up gimpy after a run against the Vols, but appears to be fine. The Dawgs will need him to continue his solid freshman campaign against Vanderbilt’s small yet powerful defensive line if they expect to win. Crowell, through his first six collegiate games, has 573 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 118 attempts.