3 Things That Worry Me About Vanderbilt

First, here's why I'm NOT worried about the fightin' Powder Monkeys:

1. The 3 rd in the country ranked Bulldog rushing defense will not face much of a test again this week, I'm afraid. Vanderbilt is 106 th running the ball, only averaging 132 yards a game on the ground.

Now they are certainly trying to run it. Only once, in a comeback effort against NC State where they had to throw the ball, have the Commodores attempted less than 38 rushes. If the current trend continues, and that trend being UGA outscoring opponents 63-0 in the first quarter and 133-12 in the first half, then Glen Schumann can probably tell the boys to pin their ears back and go after Jared Curtis en masse.

2. Speaking of Jordan Rodgers 2.0, the Vanderbilt QB may be all that, but he's still a freshman. Did he lead a comeback against NC State? Yes. Jared Curtis drove the 'Dores down the field late in the fourth, and threw a beautiful touchdown to get within 3 with just a few minutes left on the clock. He also threw an ill-advised, trying to do too much, what should have been a game-ending interception into double coverage with just a minute or so left. If it wasn't for NC State s***, that pick would be what everyone remembers.

And another reason why Georgia might start bringing some pressure to see if Curtis can make more freshman mistakes.

3. Was Georgia lucky that adding Texas and Oklahoma in the 2024 season eliminated SEC divisions and took a Miley Cyrus wrecking ball to the schedule so that we didn't have to face Vanderbilt? Very possibly yes. Yet even the loyal Commodore fanbase is starting to conclude that Head Coach Lea Clark caught lightning in a bottle when he hired Jerry Kill from New Mexico State, and Diego Pavia is officially out of temporary restraining orders. Add to that Kirby is 52-0 against unranked opponents. This is a not the plucky underdog darling Vanderbilt of 2024-2025

Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson's scratch so here's what does worry me about seeing a Vandy team that thinks it belongs in the post-season:

1 . Should we talk about the weather? I'm no meteorologist, but I've heard tell there's wet weather heading to the Athens area Saturday. And that is probably the best thing Vanderbilt Coach Clark Lea can bring to Sanford Stadium.

Wet weather will definitely slow down explosiveness and hamper any tempo from the Georgia offense. Wet balls affect both throwing and catching, and Vandy would prefer nothing better than to bog this game down in the mud, keeping the scores low and close, and hoping for more good fortune or a horrible Bulldog mistake. Recent guidance is saying the rain may not arrive until late afternoon, so an early kick might actually work in our favor and allow the Georgia advantages to bear fruit on the field.

2. So Hold On. Half of the 14 possessions vs. Oklahoma – 5 punts, 1 fumble, and 1 interception – ended without points and with giving the ball back to the bad guys. Plus Georgia was only 3 of 12 on 3 rd down (there was a successful 4 th down conversion in there).

And this is an area where the Vanderbilt is pretty good. They successfully defended 90% of 3 rd downs in their first game, 80% in the 2 nd , and more than 50% in the last two games against Power4 competition. That is allowing opponents to convert 3 rd downs less than a third of the time… not too shabby with a third of the season complete.

They also have not 1, but 2 players with punt return touchdowns this season. Even more reason to keep the ball, and only give it to Vanderbilt when kicking off from the 35 yard line.

3 . Coming in a hurry with the furies, breathing down. Your. Neck. Georgia's sack numbers are vastly improved over last season, and the lads are definitely getting in the backfield on the reg. Tackles for loss are up too, 26 this season vs. 18 in 2025 through 4 games. But just because you're penetrating doesn't mean you bring the ball carrier down.

Too many times did I see John Mateer face pressure, only to slip out and move forward. He's elusive, but Jared Curtis is a good athlete too. It reminds me of the Ole Miss CFP game – getting a red helmet or two pursuing the QB only to see overpursuit, and not keeping any lane discipline, then watching a pass downfield or a positive gain on the ground. Our guys can push up front, but they also need to contain. And this can burn us this weekend, as well as against the elite athletes we're about to face the next few weeks.

Call me crazy, just don't call me late fordinner. Let us know in the comments what you're feeling about hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores and Clark Lea's butter balm delivery van. And as always…