Georgia Football: 3 takeaways from SEC opener win over Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs speaks to head coach Derek Mason of the Vanderbilt Commodores prior to a game at Vanderbilt Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 26: The University of Tennessee Volunteers line up against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

2. Vanderbilt has an uphill battle

The Vanderbilt Commodores had a rough 2018 season in conference play. They finished with a 6-7 record, but only won three of their eight games in SEC play. With the departure of senior quarterback Kyle Shurmur to the NFL, Vanderbilt had a big hole to fill at the position.

Riley Neal, a graduate transfer from Ball State, started under center against Georgia. While Neal is likely their best option, it’s still not a good one. He threw for only 85 yards. By the end of the fourth quarter, Duece Wallace, Vanderbilt’s backup quarterback was in the game

But, it’s not like the rest of the team was playing at the level needed to compete in the SEC. The Bulldogs kept their offensive scheme incredibly simple and Vanderbilt was still unable to stop them.

The Commodores will play a full SEC conference schedule this season as well as some tougher non-conference opponents to include: Purdue, UNLV and Northern Illinois. This may have been the start of a very long year for Vanderbilt.

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