CFB Preview: Georgia Southern Goes Between the Hedges for an In-State Football Match Up

This Saturday night, Georgia returns to Athens for a match up under the lights against in state rival Georgia Southern. It will be a special night as the Seniors will be honored before the game and play between the hedges one more time. Georgia has ended their Southeastern conference play at 5-3 and currently sitting at 7-3. Georgia Southern is evenly matched at 7-2. The Eagles past two seasons have been topnotch and they are defending Sun Belt Conference champions.

For the Bulldogs, their season got another blow after their loss to Florida. However, in the last two weeks they have topped SEC rivals, Kentucky and Auburn. Georgia has had some trouble finding their offensive identity this season. The Dawgs have undergone some quarterback controversy, but Greyson Lambert has lead the team the last two weeks and came out with the win. Lambert passed for only 64 yards against Kentucky, and 97 yards last week against Auburn.

Georgia is having success at running the ball. After running back Nick Chubb’s season ending injury, Sony Michel stepped up to cover the position. He has rushed for 795 yards and 5 touchdowns. Receiver Isaiah McKenzie contributed to the score last week with a touchdown and a 53 yard punt return for a second touchdown. Look out for Aaron Davis who got his hands on two fumbles against Auburn last week.

Georgia Southern should not be overlooked, they enter this game top ranked in defense and rushing.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt knows the Eagles run the ball better than anyone in the country.

GSU is number one in the country with 378.89 rushing yards per game, 39 touchdowns, and 6.73 yards per carry. The Dawgs are 33^rd with 202.4 rushing yards per game, 18 rushing touchdowns and 5.3 yards per carry.

The Eagles will be expected to run the ball and Georgia will have to prepare for that in order to earn the win. Georgia’s head coach Mark Richt says the Eagles are massive with a starting offensive line to protect the ball averaging over 300 pounds. Georgia Southern’s offense is lead by three outstanding running backs that have been successful at the triple option. Matt Breida is number 12 in the FBS with 1242 rushing yards and accounted for 14 touchdowns. L.A Ramsby and Wesley Fields are behind him and all three have recorded at least 540 yards and at least 6 touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Ellison has also punched in over 500 yards and recorded 6 touchdowns of his own.

Georgia’s head coach Mark Richt knows Georgia Southern will be a tough test because they have been doing what it takes to win football games.