Georgia's first major test of the season will come against the Tennessee Volunteers as they travel to Neyland Stadium. In an environment of over 100,000 screaming fans and College Gameday on site, the stakes have yet to be higher. For Georgia's first SEC game to go right, there are three keys that need to happen for success.
Keep Tennessee's offense off the field
Ever since Josh Heupel became the head coach of the Volunteers, they have had an electric offense. To combat that, Kirby Smart has always had a game plan to keep his offense off the field. In every matchup the Georgia Bulldogs have played Tennessee since Heupel was hired, they won the time of possession battle. That plan carried the Dawgs to allowing no more than 17 points to the Volunteers for four straight years, even against the likes of Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton.
For Georgia to be successful, that cannot change this Saturday. Georgia needs to utilize staying consistent on offense and making third downs manageable to help keep Tennessee’s offense off the field as much as possible.
Disguise coverages and sim pressure
Another key to success in the past for Georgia against Tennessee has been disguising pressure. Specifically in 2022, Georgia disguised linebacker coverages into QB spies and blitzes throughout the game and caused panic in Tennessee's backfield.
Georgia has the speed on this defense to do that again. With a high flying, up-tempo offense like Tennessee, the Bulldogs cannot afford to sit back in traditional coverage. Expect a lot of disguised blitzes from linebackers CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson while even bringing in some safety blitzes. Don't be surprised if you see a corner or safety get a sack or even force a fumble against Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar.
Create takeaways on defense
Winning the turnover battle is a key metric in every Georgia-Tennessee game. Georgia is heading into a hostile environment in Neyland Stadium with College Gameday present. The quickest way to quiet the crowd would be to force some turnovers.
Georgia has struggled so far this season against lesser competition to get to the quarterback or create takeaways. It will be crucial that the Bulldogs find a way to do that against Tennessee this week. Georgia needs to start the game hot and control the ball, and there is not a better way to do that then to cause some Tennessee mistakes.