Bulldogs face similar concerns

by Barca Blog - As Vanderbilt deals with the fallout of Saturday's failure in West Point, the Commodores' next opponent will be battling the same issues heading into Saturday's matchup (11:20 a.m. CT).

Off to its worst start since 1996, Georgia (3-3, 2-2 SEC) will travel to Nashville reeling from a disastrous 45-19 loss at the hands of Tennessee in Knoxville. The Bulldogs' offense committed three turnovers and didn't make it into the red zone against the Vols, while their defense surrendered almost 500 yards of total offense.

Overall, Georgia ranks 11th in the SEC in total defense (377.2/game), scoring defense (30.7) and pass defense (249.0) and dead last in rushing offense (97.2) and turnover margin (-11).

With plenty of concern swirling around Athens, the Bulldogs will try to regroup against a struggling Vanderbilt squad also hoping for a midseason reversal of fortune.

“We’ve got to get better period, on offense, defense and coaching,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said. “As coaches, we have to make sure when we put a plan in, that it’s not too much and that our team is capable of doing what we want to do. We have to motivate them, these are all the things that coaches do. The point I’m making is where we are, it’s a culmination of everything and I’m not pointing at someone individually, we all have to improve.”

Flashback: You might remember Georgia had their backs against the wall the last time they played in Nashville (2007). That team also opened league play at 2-2 and was on the brink of being upset by the Commodores until Brandon Coutu kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Bulldogs to a 20-17 win. UGA celebrated by jumping on the Vanderbilt star logo at midfield.

Georgia didn't lose the rest of the way and capped off the season with a 41-10 victory over Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.

Ouch Stat: Both offenses have struggled lately with getting the ball in the end zone. Vanderbilt has been held without an offensive touchdown in 7 of its last 8 quarters while Georgia has come away empty in 10 of its last 11 quarters.