Georgia (3-2) at Tennessee (3-1) Oct. 8, 7:00, ESPN2/ESPN3
Heres The Deal
It wasnt all that long ago when this was a matchup of two superpowers, and it still might be a battle for the SEC East. The division is still there for the taking.
Tennessee might have lost to Florida, but the Gators are in big trouble with starting quarterback John Brantley out with a knee injury. Georgia might have lost to South Carolina, but the Gamecocks are a hot mess after a weird loss to Auburn that threw its quarterback situation into a tailspin. The East is there for the taking, but Georgia has the schedule to do it. Tennessee doesnt.
This is a good, strong Vol team with enough talent to go to a decent bowl game while challenging anyone in the SEC on a given day, but after this week comes LSU, and then a trip to Alabama, and then a home date against South Carolina with a trip to Arkansas a few weeks later. Its not a stretch to think Tennessee might be one of the 20 best teams in the nation and be 4-6 itll beat Middle Tennessee before closing out against Vandy and Kentucky. This is the most winnable SEC game on the slate until mid-November, and Tennessee has to take advantage.
Georgia has turned the ship around after a lousy start, but the wins came against Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss, and a mediocre Mississippi State. There isnt a home game again until November, but if the Dawgs can win this week, they should have a good shot at Vandy and against Florida to be in a great position to win the East by taking care of business at home against Auburn and Kentucky. First, they have to win in Knoxville for the first time since 2005.
This series has been AWFUL lately. The last five games have been blowouts and six of the last seven have been decided by double digits after years of classic, SEC-title like battles. These two programs might not be at the level they were at a decade ago, but theyre going to play a game that matters. Thats a good step forward.
Why Georgia Might Win: The secondary has been terrific. The stats look great because Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State cant throw, but the Georgia defense has done a strong job of forcing mistakes with at least one pick in each of the first five games and with two interceptions in each of the three SEC games. Since giving up three touchdown passes to Boise States Kellen Moore, the Dawgs have allowed just two scores through the air and havent given up more than 157 yards. South Carolina ran wild on the Dawg defense, but Georgia held firm since against the run.
The Georgia offense struggled against Mississippi State, but it was effective when it had to be. Overall, the running game has found its niche with freshman Isaiah Crowell on a tear with 100 yard days in all three SEC contests, and is should be 4-for-4 against a Tennessee defense thats been decent against the run, but not a brick wall. The line isnt getting into the backfield enough and it isnt generating enough of a push for the pass rush.
Why Tennessee Might Win: Bombs away. Georgias secondary is doing a terrific job, and the pass rush might be decent, but its about to get rained on by a red-hot Tyler Bray and a passing game that didnt skip a beat against Buffalo after losing star receiver Justin Hunter. Brays first significant game action came in last years blowout loss to the Dawgs, and he wasnt bad completing 8-of-12 passes for 81 yards in garbage time, but he grew into the job and has began the season on a roll with a 405-yard, four touchdown day against Cincinnati and with 342 yards and four scores against Buffalo. Georgia will come up with a pick or two, but Bray will keep pressing and will keep pushing the ball down the field all game long.
If the struggling Tennessee pass rush was ever going to start rolling, this would be the game against a Georgia offensive line that gets Aaron Murray hit way too often. Its part of the deal for an offense that likes to throw like the Dawgs do, but there are too many pressures and too many sacks for a line with enough talent to be among the best in the SEC. The 13 sacks allowed so far are way too many, and while the Tennessee line has done a decent job of keeping Bray upright
What To Watch Out For: The Georgia pass rush has been red hot. Cornelius Washington has been outstanding from his outside linebacker position making 3.5 sacks over the last two games as one of the main reasons the Dawg front line has been so effective. However, the burgeoning junior star has been suspended after getting arrested for a DUI. That means more work for Jarvis Jones, the much-heralded USC transfer who has been solid so far against the run with 28 tackles so far, and better lately getting into the backfield with two assisted sacks against Ole Miss and two on his own against Mississippi State. Georgia will keep dialing up the pressure with its linebackers, and Bray has to connect on the short to midrange throws to take advantage.
Tennessee got what it needed out of DaRick Rogers last week. With Hunter out, the Vols needed a new No. 1 target, and the sophomore stepped up with seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the blowout over Buffalo. Fast and with NFL upside, hell be the focus of the passing attack the rest of the way. With three 100-yard games in the first four, hes quickly becoming one of the SECs newest stars.
What Will Happen: Tennessee will throw well with Bray cranking out over 300 yards. Georgia will throw well, and itll run strong, too, to balance out the attack in a fun, see-saw battle. Georgia will continue to make a bit of a statement in the SEC East, but Tennessee will look strong in the tough, late loss. Finally, this series will have a good game again.
CFN Prediction: Georgia 27
Tennessee 23
