Tennessee vs. Georgia: Ultimate preview & prediction

Tennessee vs. Georgia is tomorrow. Here’s everything you need to know.

The No. 25 Bulldogs will play host to No. 11 Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. eastern time on CBS. This game will tell a lot as far as the SEC East race goes. With a Tennessee win, it could all but lock up the SEC East for the Vols. If Georgia somehow pulls out the victory, it would put the Bulldogs back in a prime position when it comes to the division. Therefore, football fans, check out DOTD’s ultimate preview for the game and our prediction.

Preview

Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs players gate entrance to the field shown prior to the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Impact Players for Tennessee: QB Josh Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Impact Players for Georgia: QB Jacob Eason, WR Isaiah McKenzie, RB Sony Michel

Game Preview: Tennessee-Georgia should be an easy win for the Volunteers on paper. However, this rivalry is always crazy, and sometimes the underdog surprises. Tennessee is a 3-3.5 point favorite to win this game, and Vegas is definitely keeping the rivalry effect in mind.

The series is very close. The Vols lead the series, 22-21-2, and will face Georgia for the 46th time on Saturday. Last year, the Volunteers were down to Georgia 21-3 in Knoxville but came back to win 38-31. The last time the game was played in Athens (in 2014) Georgia won 35-32, led by former superstar running back Todd Gurley, who went off in the game, as he rushed for 208 yards and two touchdowns.

This year Georgia and Tennessee are trending in different directions. The Vols had a huge win over Florida last Saturday to put them in the drivers’ seat in the SEC East. With a win this weekend, UT could get even closer to locking up the division.

Georgia comes into the game reeling after an embarrassing blowout loss to Ole Miss on the road. They have to put that out of their minds, as they will face one of their stiffest tests of the entire season this weekend.

Georgia is very wary of the Vols and for good reason. The Vols are No. 11 in the country for a reason. The Vols are led by one of the best athletes in the SEC in dual-threat quarterback Josh Dobbs, who has thrown for 805 yards and ten touchdowns. He has also added 241 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He is a very good quarterback but can be inconsistent at times (also thrown five interceptions).

Fellow backfield mate Jalen Hurd is one of the best running backs in the entire SEC. The 6-4, 240 pounder has rushed for 365 yards and two touchdowns so far this year. The physical back is complemented by speedster running back Alvin Kamara.

Dobbs has his fair share of talent at receiver though his targets have been slightly inconsistent. Josh Malone leads the Vols in receiving with 287 yards and has caught five touchdown passes over the first four games.

The Volunteer defense is a talented unit, but it has not always played up to its potential. That is why Bob Shoop was brought in to shore up this UT defense, and even though they have had some mixed results, the defense was absolutely dominant in the second half of the game against Florida last week.

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The defense is led by star linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who is the Vol’s leading returning tackler, but he is out for this week. However, the Vols do have a strong defensive line led by dynamic pass rusher Derrick Barnett and fellow end Corey Vereen and a strong secondary (even without Cam Sutton).

Tennessee does not really have any weaknesses. When they play to their ability, they can beat anybody. However, they have shown a tendency to be inconsistent and start slow so far this year. That makes it paramount for Georgia to start fast.

If Georgia hopes to win this game, the offense has to start clicking early. Also, the offense line has to be able to block. That is really the key of the game for the Bulldogs. If the Georgia offensive line is just decent, that will not only give time to quarterback Jacob Eason to adequately function, but it will also allow Georgia’s run game to be a threat again.

After all, that is the best thing going for UGA. Other than in the first game, Georgia has not been able to get the run game going mainly because of the offensive line’s struggles. If Georgia can do this, it will change the game.

The Dawgs’ running back corps is loaded, even with star running back Nick Chubb likely out for this game with an ankle injury. Sony Michel is one of the best rushers in the SEC and could start at most schools across the country (1,161 yards and eight TDs rushing in 2015). Freshman Brian Herrien and Elijah Holyfield have also shown flashes of being great backs as well.

Also, if Georgia hopes to win this game the receivers have to step up, get separation and most importantly catch the dang ball (see last week for reference). Jacob Eason needs to target the tight ends more, in my opinion, as well. The defense also has to step up their game particularly in the secondary. That will be tough against a dangerous Tennessee offense.

Georgia also has to win the battle on special teams. Good luck. I have honestly given up on the field goal kickers, so Georgia’s offense will have to improve a good bit in the red zone. It would not hurt for Isaiah McKenzie to have a big kick return or punt return as well.

Overall, if Tennessee loses to Georgia this weekend, I will be shocked, but you never know with this rivalry. Also, the Volunteers seem to find ways to beat themselves sometimes, and if Georgia’s line plays competently, who knows what can happen. I think this game will actually be close for a while, but Tennessee will pull away in the second half.

Prediction: Tennessee 35-Georgia 21