Are you ready for some SEC football? The signature game of the Week 3 slate will be up in Knoxville, as the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers will host the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs. It may be a clash of SEC powerhouses, but Georgia has had the upper hand in this rivalry for years now. Tennessee was a playoff team a year ago like Georgia, but they are going to need some help to pull of the home upset.
While the betting odds have shifted even more so into Tennessee's direction, the Dawgs are still the 3.5-point road favorite heading into Week 3. If this game were to be played Between the Hedges in Athens, Georgia would likely be more than a touchdown favorite. However, Georgia has played better football on the road in this rivalry series than it has at home. It is a testament to defensive prowess.
Although Tennessee may be able to score some points on this defense, the Volunteers are probably going to be down a few big names ahead of this contest. Tennessee All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy has yet to play this season for the Vols. He is likely out. Their other star cornerback Rickey Gibson III will most certainly be out. Now right tackle David Sanders seems to be questionable.
ESPN's Pete Thamel would later confirm that McCoy and Gibson were both going to be out in Week 3.
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
Georgia has not had to exert much effort up to this point and has had better luck regarding injuries.
Georgia must take advantage of Tennessee being vulnerable in key spots
Let's start with grouping the Tennessee cornerback situation together before diving into the right tackle issue for the Vols. While starting quarterback Gunner Stockton has to play better, not having to go up against Tennessee's two best cornerbacks should allow for guys like Zachariah Branch, Noah Thomas, Oscar Delp and others to factor massively in the receiving game, or at least that they should.
All it may take is one explosive play down the field to really open up the running game and short-to-medium passing attack. Mike Bobo has to call a far better game than he did vs. Austin Peay. Truth be told, Stacy Searels cannot let his offensive line get pushed around like it did at times last Saturday. Tim Banks is a phenomenal defensive coordinator, one who loves to bring the pressure on blitzes.
Conversely, Kirby Smart and Glenn Schumann love to dial up creative blitzes as well. Georgia has looked the part in its linebacking corps and secondary so far this season. While there is plenty of room for improvement up front along the defensive line, the back-seven for Georgia has largely been able to hold up its end of the bargain. This is how they can exploit Sanders potentially being out, too.
To tie a bow on this, depth is not the issue with Georgia. In fact, it is a big strength. Even if Tennessee has a strong, talented and deep roster as well, the Volunteers' depth will be tested in this one. No, it would not be shocking to see Tennessee finally get back in the win column vs. Georgia. However, there has not been enough evidence put forth for one to think the results will be any different here.
If Georgia can protect the ball and force a few turnovers, the Dawgs could cruise on their way to 3-0.