All the headlines of week eight in the college football world are directed at the Georgia’s matchup with Ole Miss. With College GameDay coming to Athens, not many are looking at the other games across the college football landscape.
However, there are three other very important games Georgia fans need to pay attention to as well as they could impact Georgia's season just as much as their own game in Athens.
Tennessee vs Alabama
The Tennessee-Alabama rivalry has been a heated one for generations. However, just these past few seasons, it has become an important one across the college football landscape.
Tennessee has rejuvenated its program under head coach Josh Huepel, and Alabama is looking to continue their hot streak at home as they host the Vols. Tennessee has won two of the last three matchups with the Crimson Tide after having a 15-game drought spanning from 2007 to 2021. Even though Tennessee has won had control of this rivalry recently, Tennessee has not beat Alabama in Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2003.
This year, the winner of this game will sit comfortably towards the top of the SEC Conference standings and could potentially line up who is set to be in Atlanta in December.
Georgia Tech vs Duke
Many fans are surprised the spread to this game is as close as it is. Georgia Tech has controlled the line of scrimmage in nearly every game they have played and have looked to be dominant. However, Vegas oddsmakers only have the spread at 1.5 points and in favor of Duke.
Duke is unranked, but at times have looked like a solid team. This game is crucial for Georgia fans for how it will impact the Bulldogs' strength of schedule later this season. If Georgia drops this game against Ole Miss or a different one down the line, they won't have that many favorable wins for the College Football Playoff committee to look at. Georgia Tech in a neutral site game could be a game that could really boost Georgia's resume if they pull away with a victory in Atlanta.
However, if the odds are right and the Yellow Jackets drop their game against Duke, the potential UGA win in Atlanta at the end of the season would not be near as promising.
LSU vs Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt's turnaround in just a few seasons is historic. To say that the Commodores have made themselves into a program that can compete and have a shot against LSU is incredible.
This Saturday, these two teams both have only one conference loss so far on the season. Both teams are also just behind Georgia in the SEC Conference standings. Whoever wins this game will boost themselves up that much closer to the Bulldogs while leaping them if Georgia falls to Ole Miss.
This could end up being a crucial game when looking at who plays for the SEC Championship in December.