Georgia @ Vanderbilt preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) Vanderbilt 0, Georgia 43

THE STORY: The surging Bulldogs visit Vanderbilt on Saturday looking for their fifth straight win overall and 16th in 17 tries over the Commodores. After losing to Boise State and South Carolina, Georgia has reeled off four straight wins and remain very much in the hunt for the SEC East title. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 130-35 during the streak, allowing two offensive touchdowns. Vandy started 3-0 under first-year coach James Franklin but has gotten a major reality check the past two weeks, losing 21-3 at South Carolina and 34-0 at Alabama. Georgia leads the alltime series 51-18-2.

TV: Fox Sports South. LINE: Georgia -10.5

ABOUT GEORGIA (4-2, 3-1 SEC): Coach Mark Richt got his 100th career win last week when the Bulldogs prevailed 20-12 at Tennessee. The four-game win streak has quieted Richt’s critics, for now. Georgia’s turnaround has been keyed by a fast-improving defense. ILB Mike Gilliard has 12 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, against the Vols and has led the team in stops four straight weeks. He took over when Alec Ogletree injured his foot in the season opener. Senior Brandon Boykin has returned four kickoffs for TDs.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (3-2, 1-2 SEC): The Commodores allow 19.4 points, which ranks fifth in the SEC, and lead the conference with 14 INTs. Senior Casey Heyward has four INTs, tied for the SEC lead. Franklin this week opened up the QB job, saying he’ll choose between Larry Smith and Jordan Rodgers, the brother of Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers. Smith has been forced from every game this season after taking big hits. Rodgers went 11 of 18 for 104 yards with two INTs against the Crimson Tide.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Vandy ranks last in the SEC in third-down conversions (18.5 percent).

2. Georgia’s last four-game win streak came at the start of 2008.

3. UGA freshman WR Malcolm Mitchell, who had three catches for 126 yards and a TD against Tennessee, will miss the game while recovering from a hamstring pull.

PREDICTION: Georgia 24, Vanderbilt 10 – The Commodores will struggle to move the ball against Georgia’s stifling defense.