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Georgia, Vanderbilt clash for first place in SEC East

Oct 18, 2008 - 10:17 AM (23) Vanderbilt (5-1) at (9) Georgia (5-1), 3:30 pm EDT

ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- In the topsy-turvy world of the Southeastern Conference, Georgia is back in control of its own destiny.

The ninth-ranked Bulldogs host No. 23 Vanderbilt on Saturday in a battle for first place in the SEC East Division.

Three weeks ago, Georgia was manhandled in a 41-30 loss to Alabama, a game in which the Bulldogs trailed, 31-0, at halftime. The defeat snapped the Bulldogs' 11-game winning streak.

But with an extra week to prepare, Georgia (5-1, 2-1 SEC East) rebounded to beat Tennessee, 26-14. The Bulldogs' victory, coupled with Vanderbilt's 17-14 setback at Mississippi State, left every team in the SEC East with at least one loss.

Vanderbilt (5-1, 3-1) is tied with Florida atop the East, one-half game ahead of Georgia.

Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Stafford enters this contest with momentum, having completed 25-of-36 passes for a career-high 310 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee.

The Bulldogs' defense, roughed up against the Crimson Tide, also regained a measure of pride, holding the Volunteers to just one yard rushing.

Vanderbilt heads to Athens after receiving a dose of reality.

Off to its first 5-0 start since 1943 after a 14-13 win over Auburn, the Commodores suffered a massive letdown against a desperate Mississippi State team that had won only one of its first five games.

The loss denied Vanderbilt its first 6-0 start since 1928.

The Commodores, who entered the contest leading the Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin, hurt themselves with two second-half interceptions. Vanderbilt also was just 1-of-10 on third-down conversions.

"The things we were doing when we won five games, we didn't do a very good job with," Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. "That's just the difference between winning and losing. Our guys are pretty resilient and our coaching staff will be, too."

Johnson has elected to make a quarterback change, as Mackenzi Adams will make his first start of the season Saturday.

Adams led the Commodores to their victory over Auburn after replacing an injured Chris Nickson, who struggled at Mississippi State.

However, Vanderbilt faces a difficult test this week in a hostile environment. The Commodores will be seeking their second straight win at Sanford Stadium.

Two years ago, they stunned Georgia, 24-22, beating the Bulldogs for the first time since 1994. It was only Vanderbilt's fourth win in the last 43 meetings between the schools.

Georgia avenged that loss with a 20-17 victory at Vanderbilt last season, as Brandon Coutu kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired.