Dawn of the Dawg
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2016 Georgia Football game-by-game previews and predictions

By Jay Hawkins

Jan 2, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; The Georgia Bulldogs come out of the tunnel prior to the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; The Georgia Bulldogs come out of the tunnel prior to the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Darrius Sims (6) and running back Ralph Webb (7) and wide receiver Ronald Monroe (8) and wide receiver Trent Sherfield (10) and wide receiver Latevius Rayford (86) celebrate after defeating the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Darrius Sims (6) and running back Ralph Webb (7) and wide receiver Ronald Monroe (8) and wide receiver Trent Sherfield (10) and wide receiver Latevius Rayford (86) celebrate after defeating the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Oct. 15     vs. Vanderbilt

Players to Watch: RB Ralph Webb, ILB Zach Cunningham, STAR Oren Burks

Preview: Vanderbilt went 4-8 last year but were definitely improved from their first year under head coach Derek Mason, even though the record did not show it that much. This year the Commodores are hoping to get back to a bowl game, and while their schedule is tough, it is conceivable that they can reach the postseason.

Vanderbilt’s best player on offense is undoubtably junior running back Ralph Webb. In 2015, Webb rushed for 1,152 yards, which was good for the second highest single-season rushing total in program history. For his solid season, Webb made the All-SEC Third Team squad and is looking to do even bigger things this fall.

Quarterback Kyle Shurmur, who started most of the second half of the season, returns on offense as well as three other starters including Vandy’s two leading receivers last season in Trent Sheffield and Caleb Scott.

On the other side of the ball, Coach Mason has always seemed to have a pretty good defense, and this year will be no different. His defense is headlined by star inside linebacker Zach Cunningham, who earned All-SEC First Team honors last season for his 2015 campaign during which he registered 103 tackles and 4.5 sacks to lead the team in both categories. This year he was named to Phil Steele’s Preseason Third Team All-America squad and was a nominee for both the Butkus and Nagurski awards.

Cunningham has talent around him though in STAR Oren Burks (had three picks in 2015) and a solid secondary. This is definitely the strongest side of the ball for Vanderbilt.

Bottom Line: Vanderbilt should be improved this year and definitely has the potential to reach a bowl game this year. They will surprise a few teams this fall but not Georgia. The Dawgs have not lost to the Commodores in Athens since 2006. Combine that with Jacob Eason and the Georgia offense most likely starting to hit their stride, and the Bulldogs should win this game by double digits.

Prediction: Georgia 38-Vanderbilt 17

Next: Oct. 29 vs. Florida

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