5 players to keep an eye on in the Georgia-Vanderbilt game

The oddsmakers aren’t giving Vanderbilt much of a chance to upend 10th-ranked Georgia on Saturday, listing the Bulldogs as a 20.5-point favorite as they prepare to head to Nashville for Saturday’s SEC opener for both teams.

The doubters were saying likewise two years ago before the Commodores stunned the 16th-ranked Bulldogs, 31-27.

Can Vandy rekindle that magic of two years ago and somehow shock the college football world again? Maybe, maybe not, but here’s a look at a few players from both teams who will have a definitive say in the game’s outcome:

• Georgia RB Nick Chubb: The Heisman Trophy candidate barely worked up a sweat in chewing up 120 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in last week’s easy 51-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe. A dazzling blend of speed and power, Chubb has rushed for at least 100 yards in nine consecutive games to make the Bulldogs offense go. He appears to be getting better each week, and that should scare the rest of the SEC.
• Georgia QB Greyson Lambert: The Virginia graduate transfer completed eight of 12 passes for 141 yards and two TDs in last week’s win over ULM. He consistently made good decisions in his Georgia debut and will have to do so again to better solidify his hold on the starting job. Lambert will face a considerably stiffer test this week in a Commodores defense now being run by coach Derek Mason.
• Vanderbilt QB Johnny McCrary: Georgia coaches know all about McCrary, who hails from the metro Atlanta area. But he’ll have to do better job at translating his enormous potential into solid play on the field if the Commodores are to at least have a chance. McCrary was responsible for two costly interceptions in the end zone that sank his team in last week’s loss to Western Kentucky. Look for him to possibly run more against an aggressive Dawgs defensive front seven.
• Vanderbilt P/K Tommy Openshaw: The redshirt sophomore boomed two punts of better than 60 yards and averaged 44 yards over five punts. He also hit on two of three field goal tries, including career-best 49-yard effort. With Vandy’s offense struggling, Openshaw’s strong leg could make all the difference in critical battle for field position.
• Georgia WR/KR/PR Isaiah McKenzie: The speedy sophomore nicknamed “Joystick” because of his shifty moves played sparingly last week and exclusively at receiver when he did as he continued to mend from a hamstring injury. McKenzie will likely be back in the starting offensive lineup on Saturday to add another dangerous weapon to an already deep Bulldogs arsenal. He’ll also resume punt return duties, meaning that he’ll have plenty of big-play opportunities against the Commodores.

John Hollis

John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.