Georgia Football vs. Vanderbilt: Gameday Central
It’s homecoming Saturday in Athens as No. 1 Georgia takes on Vanderbilt. Dawgs and Dores. One of them is an unbeaten 6-0 while the other comes in at 3-3. I’ll let you figure out which is which.
Kirby Smart and company know not to take the Commodores lightly though. Even with this being the last game before the bye, Smart is only worried about winning on Saturday. He refused to look any further ahead, and that ought not to be taken for granted in this year of College Football where things have seemed just a little bit crazier.
“Vanderbilt, got a lot of respect for Clark,” Smart said this week. “You know, he’s an alumnus to the school, similar to me. I’ve always respected the work and job he did. He did a tremendous job when he was at Wake. And we copied a lot of the things he did defensively there. And then competed against him as a defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, as well. So through the SEC head coaches’ meetings and gotten to know him better. And I have a lot of respect for the way he carries himself and the way he leads his program. So with that, we’re on to Vandy.”
“I haven’t even thought about the bye week. I’m concerned with Vandy and getting our team better,” Smart also said. “To look at the bye week right now would be — you know, would be dishonorable to Vandy. I mean, let’s be honest. This is a good football team. I just told you they’re one of the most improved football teams. And we respect and value that in our organization how their kids will play and how they played last weekend.”
Last year was a Bulldog beatdown of the Commodores in Nashville. Before Vanderbilt could really even wake up for the 11:00 a.m. local kick, Georgia on the board and out to a 35-0 lead before the end of the first quarter. It was smooth sailing from there, but having watched this year’s Vanderbilt team, Smart says they are one of the most improved groups in the SEC.
“A lot,” Smart said when asked about the amount of change from year one to year two in the Clark Lea era. “We start with the first game of the year. You know, they go out to Hawaii and played in a tough environment. Tough time change. Very mature to handle that and play well. They played last week. I mean, you watch the Ole Miss tape, they came out and attacked and played well. I mean, well coached. So the expectation is that you’re going to grow and get better. And everybody measures that in different amounts. I’m sure Clark has his way of measuring it just like we have our way of trying to measure improve. But they, probably to me, one of the most improved teams in league in terms of the way they’re playing right now.”
How to Watch, Listen and Stream
Kickoff Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network (Taylor Zarzour – Play by Play, Matt Stinchcomb – Color Commentator, Alyssa Lang – Sideline Reporter)
Streaming: WatchESPN
Radio: Atlanta (750 AM/95.5 FM), Athens (960 AM/106.1 FM), Augusta (580 AM/95.1 FM), Brunswick (1440 AM, 107.7 FM), Columbus (1270 AM/102.5 FM), Macon (106.3 FM), Savannah (1400 AM/104.3 FM), Sirius XM (Channel 81 – Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network), Online at www.georgiadogs.com/watch/
Favorites from this Week
- Emptying the Notebook (+)
- Three Keys to Victory (+)
- What Munson Would’ve Worried About
- Injury Report
- Major Matchups
- Q&A with Billy Derrick of The Dore Report (+)
- Palmer’s Players to Watch (+)
- Offensive Line puts Added Emphasis on Pushing the Pile
- Branson Robinson impressing teammates on and off the field
- Xavier Truss growing, developing in first year as starter
- Three Questions for Georgia Ahead of Vanderbilt (+)
- Hump Day Roundup: Georgia’s Identity
- Kirby Smart has high praise for Nolan Smith, his leadership
- Kirby Smart praises young Georgia pass catchers
- Georgia defenders share why viral video was just leadership exemplified
- Rian Davis pushes through adversity en route to first career start
- Blood Tuesday: Analyzing Georgia-Vanderbilt Hot Takes (+)
- Jackson Meeks earns special nickname from Kirby Smart
- Kirby Smart shares philosophy behind finding ways for freshmen to contribute
- Stetson Bennett keeping defenses honest with run ability amidst passing struggles
- Takeaways from Georgia-Vanderbilt Media Days (+)
