One of the biggest consequences of Georgia having not played anyone of note so far in the season is the Bulldogs' unwillingness to open up the offensive playbook, and rightfully so. Why on god's green earth would offensive coordinator Mike Bobo willingly empty the chamber in terms of high-brow play-calling vs. the likes of the Marshall Thundering Herd or Austin Peay Governors right out of the gate?
It was all coming back to Tennessee... Georgia's first SEC opponent will be a hated rival on the road. While the Dawgs did not look the part vs. Austin Peay last week, they are still the slight road favorite vs. Rocky Top. Not only do the Dawgs have the better roster on paper, as well as their head coach Kirby Smart owning Josh Heupel head-to-head, but the Vols will be without their best cornerbacks...
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that both Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III will be out for this game.
Sources: Tennessee will again be without its two starting corners Georgia this week, as both Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson are not expected back. McCoy is still recovering from his ACL tear in January, and Gibson (undisclosed) is out for an extended period of time. pic.twitter.com/PrOzi2YCbh
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 8, 2025
To be quite frank, there has never been a better time than now than for Bobo to do his best to attempt to get back into the good graces of Dawg Nation than by putting forth a well-executed game plan to get the most out of Gunner Stockton's talent. It starts with setting up smart play designs to get the ball into the hands of the Dawgs' two most talented receivers in Zachariah Branch and Colbie Young.
If Georgia can do this effectively, they can beat anyone on their schedule during the regular season.
Georgia has to take advantage of Tennessee being down its two star CBs
Look. Georgia's bread and butter as a college football program has always been running the football and playing great defense. With a mobile, dual-threat quarterback in Stockton, that seems to be right in line with how the Dawgs can have success this year. That being said, it is imperative that he starts to play with some confidence throwing the football down the field, preferably to Branch and Young...
To be quite frank, if the Georgia offensive line does not hold up vs. the vaunted Tennessee pass rush, then none of this might really matter. Stockton's legs and Nate Frazier's prowess in the backfield might be able to somewhat offset this. However, until Georgia is willing and able to open up the field with an occasional deep ball, this offense will be limited. Stockton will throw, but will anyone catch it?
Ultimately, Georgia has an opportunity to recontrol the narrative of its young season by doing what it does and beating Tennessee handily in Knoxville. The Dawgs will have a bye after this game to rest, recover and come up with new plays to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide for the second time in the Kirby Smart era. Now is the time to empty the chamber. Get the ball to Branch and Young a ton, Bobo!
The best way to help make this idea a reality is for the pass rush to get after Joey Aguilar on defense.