About 12:45 today our 2nd ranked Georgia Bulldogs look to move to 3-0 in the conference and continue to bolster our resume as one of the true national title contenders against Vanderbilt on Homecoming in Athens. Everyone knows the undercurrent story of the week, and Kirby and the players have downplayed that angle in public. Of course, that player is still listed as “Questionable” on yesterday’s availability report. I imagine the behind the scenes is quite different as the Dawgs prepare for the Commodores. Let’s get to the preview.

When Georgia has the ball

The Georgia offense needs to continue to build on its explosive start. Regardless of the metric used, the offense has generated more big chunk yardage plays this year compared to the last couple of years. In particular, the running game has been downright scary as Georgia has created the opportunity for long runs by Nate Frazier, Dwight Phillips, Gunner Stockton, Ryan Puglisi, Jaden Reddell and Talyn Taylor. Just missing the 20 yard cutoff is the always tough Chauncey Bowens with an 18 yarder himself. I went back and looked at Vandy’s near loss to NC State. The Pack was very solid on offense other than turnovers and generated some explosives against the Vandy defense. If the Dawgs do that and limit mistakes, the 40-point barrier should be very much in play later today.

When Vanderbilt has the ball

Will Curtis play or not? That really is the question. As mentioned earlier, the freshman QB remains listed on the availability report as questionable. I believe that means he will give it a go later today. I’m assuming the Georgia defense has been fully prepared for Curtis to play and not to be limited. I expect the Georgia defense to give a lot of looks the young signal caller has not seen and to disguise true intent. If we can get pressure, I expect Curtis to give the Georgia defense opportunities to put on the Savage Pads and change field position and game momentum. If I were Clark Lea, I would try to shorten the game with ball control especially with the short passing game knowing how difficult the Georgia defense is to run against. If the game gets out of hand, how long does Lea leave Curtis in knowing that there are winnable games for the team down the road?

What will happen

Assuming nothing absolutely weird happens today including the weather, the Dawgs should win and win by double digits. Covering a spread that has moved to 25 1/2 likely requires the Dawgs to play clean and get Vandy’s offense off the field without sucking the game clock dry.

I said in the first look post that I expect the Dawgs to cover. I see no reason to back away from that at this point. The Dawgs’ offense continues its explosive play and generates yards and points. The defense gets after Curtis from the start and introduces Curtis to life as a Commodore in the SEC.

Final score: Georgia 41, Vanderbilt 10

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

EDIT (by Otis): This is your post for comments throughout the game today.

Posted on September 22, 2026 by eethomaswfnc

Early Saturday afternoon, the Dawgs host one of the program’s traditional Homecoming opponents between the hedges of Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium. Clark Lea has turned around the program from the disaster it had become under Derek Mason where the low point was the Commodores quitting on the pandemic season rather than taking the L that was coming to them in Athens in 2020. Go, Diego, Go Pavia is gone, and former Georgia commit Jared Curtis will get the start at quarterback. They are 3-1 against the murderers’ row schedule of Austin Peay, Delaware, NC State and Auburn. If Dave Doeren and CJ Bailey have a collective brain between them, Vandy would be 2-2 right now. Let’s get to the first look.

Series record / last meeting

Georgia leads the series 61-20-2 and is riding a 6 game winning streak in the series. In the last meeting in 2023, Georgia goes into Nashville and wins 37-20 in a game not nearly as close as the score indicates. 2nd half red zone woes turning potential touchdowns into field goals, and a near pick 6 make the score look respectable. The Dawgs generate over 550 yards of total offense while limiting Vanderbilt to 219 including a paltry 18 yards on the ground. The biggest story line of the game is the loss of Brock Bowers in the 1st half to a high ankle sprain, which limited 19’s effectiveness and availability for the remainder of the season.

Gambling degenerate facts

According to DraftKings, Georgia is -24.5 point favorite with a point total of 50.5 and are a -2800 money line favorite.

Interesting statistic: +0.55 (Vandy’s net yards per play)

Through 4 games, Vandy’s net yards per play statistic is mediocre especially considering their strength of schedule. They are averaging fewer than 4 yards per rushing attempt and 7.5 yards per passing attempt. Curtis is leading the team in rushing attempts at this point in the season … if that happens on Saturday, I’m not sure he’ll be able to finish the game. Not surprisingly, their defensive stats on a per play basis look very similar. One item of note is that NC State and Auburn both averaged over 4 yards per attempt on the ground against the Vanderbilt defense.

Early outlook

I think Kirby has had this game circled on the schedule since the schedule was announced. All indications are that Curtis burned every bridge with the Georgia coaching staff in the days leading up to his last minute flip to the hometown team especially given the Georgia staff’s assurance to his family that he was the only QB they were going to recruit actively. I’m guessing the defense has some special wrinkles in store for Curtis, and he’s going to be very sore on Sunday morning.

Vanderbilt doesn’t have the quantity and quality of athletes through the depth chart to keep up with a Georgia team that’s focused.

Georgia fans (and, especially, students), let’s show Curtis what he could have had behind him on Saturday afternoon. Let’s make Sanford a midday house of horrors and drop an anchor right the Commodore’s head. Dawgs win and cover.

What’s your thought right now for Saturday?

Given Vanderbilt’s academic reputation, what top flight academic school would you have considered going to if given the opportunity? My answer has to be Stanford. Great golf tradition, incredible school, beautiful location.

Let us know in the comments below.