Georgia freshman running back Todd Gurley is averaging 9.2 yards per carry and has scored 3 TDs. (Getty Images) |
Florida Atlantic (1-1, 0-1 Sun Belt) at No. 7 Georgia (2-0, 1-0 SEC)
Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (CSS)
Spread: Georgia by 42.5
Watchability: Bulldogs fans will enjoy watching freshman Todd Gurley (9.2 yards per carry, 3 TDs) continue to run wild. The defense gets a new look with the return of two suspended starters, linebacker Chase Vasser and cornerback Sanders Commings.
Shining stars: Georgia: Jarvis Jones. What can he do for an encore? The All-American outside linebacker forced two fumbles, made his first career interception and got two sacks in a win at Missouri. And he was slowed by a groin injury. Two Owls might not be able to block him Saturday. Florida Atlantic: Graham Wilbert. The senior has hit 35 of 45 throws this season, with three TDs and no INTs. He looks much improved over last year when he tossed 15 INTs against seven TDs.
Who could steal the show: Georgia: Marlon Brown. The 6-5 senior receiver broke out last week with eight catches for 106 yards and two TDs. QB Aaron Murray looks for him in the red zone. Florida Atlantic: Byron Hankerson. The Owls have their own big-play wideout in Hankerson, who’s averaging 17.6 yards per catch and has two TD receptions.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Athens is one of the nation’s best college towns, and it’s even more fun when the Bulldogs are a Top-10 team.
Magic number for Georgia: 30. The Bulldogs are 30-1 in non-conference home games under coach Mark Richt.
Magic number for Florida Atlantic: 2. Carl Pelini is only the second coach in the FAU program’s 11-year existence. He was Nebraska’s defensive coordinator from 2009-11, a stretch in which the Cornhuskers ranked seventh nationally in fewest points allowed.
The game comes down to: It’s a total mismatch at every position. Georgia’s main interest is staying healthy before it begins a stretch of seven straight SEC games next week.
Prediction: Georgia 48, Florida Atlantic 7
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.