Good afternoon and happy Friday, Dawg fans! We’ve made it to another glorious weekend of college football, and it’s shaping up to be a massive Saturday for the Georgia Bulldogs as they head to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. Georgia enters the matchup ranked No. 6 in this week’s AP poll, while Tennessee comes in at No. 15. The Dawgs are currently a 3.5-point favorite, though oddsmakers expect that margin to shrink by kickoff. Tomorrow’s game is set for a 3:30 p.m. start on ABC.
There’s definitely some unease among Dawg fans heading into this one, and it’s justified after last week’s offensive showing against Austin Peay. Georgia ran the ball well, piling up 190 rushing yards and four touchdowns as a unit, but most of the postgame conversation centered on Gunner Stockton’s ability to stay in the pocket and deliver the ball. Stockton’s numbers were solid, completing 26 passes on 34 attempts for 227 yards, but he missed a few big-play opportunities with open receivers and didn’t throw a touchdown. That leaves the question: Does Stockton have the confidence to stand in the pocket and push the ball downfield? Personally, I believe he does. Stockton is one of the most prolific passers in Georgia high school history for a reason, still holding the career passing touchdown record at 177. Tomorrow’s game against Tennessee will be a major test of what kind of passer he truly is and how effective he can be for the rest of the season.
The good news for Georgia is that Tennessee’s defense hasn’t exactly been dominant through the first two weeks. The Vols rank 53rd in total defense, though they are stout against the run, sitting at 20th nationally. Their secondary, however, looks vulnerable, ranking 88th in pass defense. That could give Georgia an opening if the Dawgs dial up a scheme to exploit it.
This matchup also sets up an intriguing clash of strengths. Georgia hangs its hat on a physical defense, while Tennessee boasts a high-powered offense. Transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar has been excellent so far, thriving in Josh Heupel’s scheme. The Vols rank 8th in passing offense and 20th in rushing offense, giving them a well-balanced attack that should challenge Georgia’s defense.
The Dawgs, though, have been just as impressive on the other side of the ball. Even if their opponents haven’t been elite, the defense has looked locked in. Georgia currently ranks 7th in total defense, 5th in red-zone defense, 15th against the run, and 25th against the pass. Junior linebacker CJ Allen has led the charge, coming off a seven-tackle, one-sack performance. Expect him to set the tone again this week. Don’t be surprised if Georgia’s defense comes out aggressive, determined to pressure Aguilar and force him to rely on his arm rather than his legs.
Prediction: Georgia 21, Tennessee 17
Stats only tell part of the story. I expect a physical, back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading blows throughout. For Georgia to win, offensive play-calling has to be sharp, especially if Tennessee moves the ball effectively. Establishing the run will be crucial to set up shot plays for Stockton and the receiving corps. The tight ends also need to be more involved. That group is far too talented not to feature regularly. Neyland Stadium will be rocking, but the Dawgs have a chance to quiet the crowd and extend their winning streak over Tennessee to nine straight.
Enjoy your Friday and the weekend. As always, GO DAWGS!
