Georgia football: Staff predictions vs. Vanderbilt

Georgia football travels on the road to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday. How will the team fare? Here is how the staff here at Dawn of the Dawg believe the game will go.

The time has come for Georgia football to begin its 2019 season, and the Dawgs start the year on the road against Vanderbilt.

While on paper, the Commodores don’t match up to the Dawgs, this game could be closer than many would like it to be. However, that all depends on how the Dawgs come out and how big that crowd is in Nashville.

We’ve already requested a red out from Dawg nation, and it looks like that red sea is heading for the Music City.

Georgia doesn’t usually open up on the road, especially against an SEC opponent, so it’ll be unique for both teams. I think the Dawgs are up for it, and it’ll be a fun one to watch.

Will, the Dawgs, blow out Vandy, or will it be close? Here are the staff predictions for the upcoming Georgia vs. Vanderbilt showdown on Aug. 31.

Brenden Armour

The Bulldogs will open the season with an SEC opponent for the first time in over a decade and will be looking to start the season off on a strong note.

Georgia has proven it can overpower almost any opponent it faces on the ground, and this game will be no different. New offensive coordinator James Coley will let quarterback Jake Fromm throw it a fair amount to his new receiving weapons, but make no mistake; this game will be won on the backs of top runners D’Andre Swift and Brian Herrien.

I could see this being the type of game in which the Dawgs finish with two backs with over 100 yards each on the ground. While I expect those two to be Swift and Herrien, keep an eye on the hulk-like Zamir White to possibly break out as well.

For those of you wanting an extended look at the new pass catchers, you will get a decent show this week, but the Dawgs are more likely to air it out in weeks two and three as they look to break in the new offensive contributors against lesser competition.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Dawgs’ defense features what should be a powerful secondary and linebacking group, so the Commodore passing game will likely not make much of an impact.

However, Vanderbilt star running back Keshawn Vaughn will find success early against the defensive line and score Vandy’s only touchdown of the day in the first quarter. After that touchdown, the defense will hunker down and hold the Vandy’s offense to just two more field goals.

This game should be very similar to last year in which Vandy keeps it close in the first quarter, but the Dawgs pull away big time after that.

Prediction: Georgia Bulldogs 38 Vanderbilt Commodores 13

Jonathan Williams

I believe the reason why Georgia will defeat Vandy is because of the Dawgs offensive line and stable of running backs; there is no slowing down the run game for Vandy.

With the running game coming at ease it will allow Fromm to open up the passing game. Vaughn will help out Vandy’s offense a little, but Georgia’s linebacker core and spread of stars on defense will be too much for the Commodores to handle giving the Dawgs a great conference win to kick off the season!

Prediction: Dawgs win against Vandy by a score of 45-17.

Eric Taylor

Georgia has beaten Vanderbilt by a combined 86-27 the last two years.

According to 247Sports, Georgia has the third most talented team in the nation, and Vanderbilt is 53rd. Vanderbilt is returning studs at the running back and wide receiver positions in Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Kalija Lipscomb. However, they’re starting an inexperienced quarterback in Mo Hasan.

Georgia returns starting quarterback Jake Fromm, starting running back D’Andre Swift, one of the nations best offensive lines, and one of the nation’s best safety duos in JR Reed and Richard LeCounte.

The Dawgs are just too talented for this team and will win this game by ten points.

Prediction: Georgia beats Vanderbilt with a score of 34-14.

Richard Gnann

The Dawgs strike early, but Vandy stiffens and takes advantage of confusion with new coordinators for a slight 6 – 13 halftime deficit.

Georgia strikes deep early in the third, then return a turnover. As always, Swift goes 65 yards behind outstanding wide receiver blocking for point 34 to put the game away for good.

Then Hot Rod kicks the extra point, and Stetson Bennett gets the final score on his first pass in the red and black with eight minutes left, and we all wonder if there’s any BBQ left at hog heaven across the street and whether we should see.

Prediction: Dawgs 42 Vandy 18.

Davis Kimbell

Georgia is out for blood this year after a disappointing end to last season.

With a fan base that travels well behind them, the Dawgs will simply use their extremely talented roster and potent rushing attack with overwhelming force to have this game against Vandy well in hand by halftime to start the season with a smooth blowout victory over an SEC East opponent.

Prediction: 41-13 Dawgs.

Alistar Penny

After the week 0 debacle that was Florida and Miami, I fully expect a different type of performance from a Georgia team that is ready to hit people.

I fully expect the offensive line to dominate against a Vandy team that has a so-so defense and I expect Georgia’s defense to bring the ‘havoc’ that has been spoken about so much this offseason.

Despite that, this won’t be a blowout. Kirby has a considerable amount of respect for Derek Mason and won’t want to show anything to Notre Dame unless he has to. Look for the Dawgs to pull their starters in the 4th quarter and run out the clock.

Score prediction: UGA 34 – 10 Vanderbilt

Michael Collins

Georgia has experience playing early-season SEC games with having South Carolina on the September schedule for many years, so opening the year against Vanderbilt won’t be a massive issue for the Bulldogs.

While you never want to take any conference foe lightly, it’s hard to see Vanderbilt making much of a game out of this. The Commodores are overmatched in every facet of the game, and while Derek Mason has a knack for getting the most out of his defense regardless of personnel, the plethora of weapons Georgia has on offense will quickly take over.

The biggest concern for Georgia in this game will be staying healthy. Look for the Dawgs to stake an early lead and then rest the key starters as quickly as possible to avoid any possible injuries.

Prediction: Georgia 34 – Vanderbilt 10

Savannah Leigh

While some think that this game won’t be a blow out, I disagree. Georgia’s going to handle its buisness and whip up on Vanderbilt.

I think that D’Andre Swift goes for over 100-yards, but the kicker here will not just be Hot Rod. To shock the world, Zamir White comes in and gets in some much needed playing time. We see him shine and his confidence starts to grow.

We will also see Fromm air it out some, and see what Coley is all about as the offensive coordinator. I expect a run-heavy game, but with some creativity added to it.

Dawgs sack the quarterback four times at least and go 1-0 on the road against Vandy.

Prediction: Georgia wins 42-7

It looks like the staff believes the Dawgs will have no problem defeating the Commodores and winning big on the road. Georgia’s got the talent and ability to do it, now let’s see who gets the closest to the right score.