It has not always been the case in this rivalry series, but quarterback play will be fully on display in Knoxville on Saturday, for better or worse... Whether it is good, bad or downright ugly, no two players will be more scrutinized for what they do or do not do than Georgia Bulldogs starter Gunner Stockton and Tennessee Volunteers newcomer Joey Aguilar. Both can play, but neither are without their faults.
Stockton enters play with a 2-0 record on the year. He has completed 40-of-58 passes (69 percent) for 417 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps more importantly, he has 15 carries for 86 yards and two additional touchdowns on the ground. While his completion percentage is high, Stockton has yet to throw the ball deep. His exploits on the ground have been stellar, but will they always be replicable?
As for Aguilar, he is 2-0 on the season as well after coming over to Tennessee. He spent two years at Appalachian State before transferring to UCLA this past offseason. Aguilar transferred for a second time to Tennessee after spring practice. On the year, he has completed 39-of-59 passes (66.1 percent) for 535 yards and five touchdowns. He also has six carries for 34 yards on the season, too.
While both quarterbacks have upside, what if it does not go well? How could it happen on Saturday?
Why Georgia Bulldogs may regret moving forward with Gunner Stockton
Although Stockton has been the ultimate team guy since he first came to Athens, there are still some concerns with his downfield passing. His rushing ability could conceivably mitigate that to some degree, but Kirby Smart really wants to see Stockton do what he does in practice during a game now. For him to have staying power as the starter, he must become more accurate of a passer downfield.
While Stockton has done a great job of taking care of the football to start, he has not honestly been tested going up against any of Georgia's opponents. His predecessor and former teammate Carson Beck would turn the ball over at will at times, but he was never afraid to sling it. If Georgia's offense becomes one-dimensional or lacking any firepower vertically, Georgia may come to regret the move.
Stockton struggling up in Knoxville might potentially jump start a quarterback change to Ryan Puglisi.
Why the Tennessee Volunteers could regret bringing in Joey Aguilar
For as good as Aguilar has looked so far this season, look at who they have played... Syracuse may be a Power Four team, but the Orange are a massive regression candidate under Fran Brown in year two. East Tennessee State does not move the needle, just like Georgia's two opponents so far in Marshall and Austin Peay. Level of competition could be something that could present challenges for Aguilar.
What is important to know is Aguilar has a propensity for turning the ball over. He did it a ton last year through the air at Appalachian State. Georgia's strength as a team is in its back-seven, particularly in its secondary. If Aguilar thinks he can carve up the Georgia defense at will, he might be in for a rude awakening. While Vol Nation have moved on from Nico Iamaleava, Aguilar is still not in the clear yet.
As it is with Georgia, Tennessee has a promising backup waiting in the wing in George MacIntyre.
What is likely to happen at quarterback between Georgia and Tennessee?
In a best-case scenario for Georgia, Stockton continues to take great care of the football. He is able to spread the ball around to his plethora of receivers, maybe even taking advantage of Tennessee being banged up in the back-end with a well-timed deep pass? All the while, Stockton runs the ball effectively. If it hits the fan for the Dawgs, they will be 2-1 and looking to make a quarterback change.
In a best-case scenario for Tennessee, Aguilar continues to play with confidence and connects on a few of his deep passes to get the crowd rocking and Georgia really behind the eight ball. He has considerably more starting experience over Stockton, so keep that in mind as well. If it hits the fan for the Vols, Aguilar will yet again look like a mediocre Group of Five quarterback against an elite defense.
As far as what will likely happen, both quarterbacks will play well enough to not get benched, but questions will emerge regarding the loser. Tennessee has more momentum in this game, while Georgia has history on its side and the deeper team. Tennessee's cornerback issues will be on display and Georgia will take advantage. It is why the Dawgs will likely win their ninth one in a row.
Regret is not going to seep in until long after this game, but it might be the genesis of it later on.