Georgia Southern Eagles at No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs: Preview, prediction, TV info

True freshman Todd Gurley has run for 11 TDs for Georgia and leads SEC running backs in rushing yards per game (97.3). (US Presswire)

Georgia Southern (8-2, 6-2 SoCon) at No. 5 Georgia (9-1, 7-1 SEC)

Kickoff: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Spread: No line

Watchability: This doesn't carry much interest outside of Georgia. But facing the Eagles' triple option should help the Bulldogs prepare for rival Georgia Tech next week.

Shining stars: Georgia Southern -- QB Jerick McKinnon. The junior is the SoCon offensive player of the week after accounting for five touchdowns in a 69-26 win over Howard. He ran for a career-high 198 yards and three TDs and hit 2 of 4 throws for 32 yards and two scores. He's the first Eagle since 2008 to account for five TDs in a game. Georgia -- RB Todd Gurley. Leading all SEC running backs with 97.3 rushing yards per game, Gurley averages 6.5 yards per carry and has run for 11 TDs. Fellow true freshman Keith Marshall averages 6.7 yards a carry with six scores.

Who could steal the show: Georgia Southern -- FB Dominique Swope. The 5-11, 222-pound sophomore leads the Eagles with 14 rushing TDs and averages 103.4 yards per game. Georgia -- LB Jarvis Jones. He's a one-man wrecking crew. Despite missing two games, the All-American has 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Jones is the active NCAA career leader in sacks per game (1.1).

You going? Ranking the road trip: Saturday afternoons Between the Hedges are always special. The atmosphere is even more festive this year with the Bulldogs heading to the SEC Championship Game.

Magic number for Georgia Southern: 65. That's how many passes the Eagles have tried this season. Their triple-option attack leads the FBS in rushing, going over 300 yards eight times.

Magic number for Georgia: 19. That's how many points the Bulldogs gave up in their last three SEC wins. Georgia has held opponents scoreless for six straight quarters.

The game comes down to: Georgia leads the series 4-0, and the closest margin was 20 points in 2004. In the most recent meeting, the 2008 season opener, the Bulldogs built a 31-0 halftime lead and won 45-21. The Eagles are in a three-way tie for first in the Southern Conference, but they're no match for Georgia athletically.

Prediction: Georgia 48, Georgia Southern 17

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.