MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY (1-1) AT NO. 3 GEORGIA (2-0)
Noon at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
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THE MATCHUP
Georgia coach Kirby Smart was in his final season as Alabama's defensive coordinator in 2015 when the Crimson Tide defeated visiting MTSU 37-10. Alabama outgained the Blue Raiders 532-275 and forced four turnovers in that game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. "They're different now," Smart said this week. "They have different personnel groupings and a different kind of team. They had a fullback they used more then and a tight end they used more. They're a little different now and have different coordinators." A week after limiting South Carolina receiver Deebo Samuel, the Bulldogs will try to stop Ty Lee, a preseason All-Conference USA pick who had 79 catches for 955 yards last year but has nine receptions for just 49 yards through two games this season. "He's very talented and very quick," Smart said. "He's a Georgia kid, so I know he'll be fired up about coming down to his home state. I remember when he came out. He played in a good system down in Moultrie, and he's just a really talented guy. They're creative in getting the ball to him, and he creates some mismatches with his quickness on a lot of players."
ONE TO WATCH
MTSU quarterback Brent Stockstill is off to a solid start in his senior season, having completed 47 of 68 passes (69.1 percent) for 574 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. Smart said this week that it feels like Stockstill has "been there forever," and the son of Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill knows MTSU will have to be as flawless as possible for as long as possible. "We have to play perfect," the fifth-year senior said. "It's really not an exaggeration. If you want to hang with a team like that, you have to play perfect. You have to have a great plan going in, have the ball bounce your way sometimes, have guys make plays, and hopefully you'll have a chance in the fourth to put one in the end zone and have a chance to win. Hopefully we'll play perfect this weekend."
IN THE END
Game time was moved up from 7:15 p.m. due to concerns about Hurricane Florence, so it will be interesting to see whether there is a listless feel at the opening kickoff or if fans will arrive pumped. MTSU already is 0-1 against Southeastern Conference teams this season, having opened with a 35-7 loss at Vanderbilt. The Blue Raiders have played every SEC team except Auburn at least once in their history. The Bulldogs will cruise today, and there will be some breakaway runs by the tailbacks that Smart will enjoy.
PREDICTION
Georgia 52, MTSU 13