Classic Rivalry Matchup in Athens
Georgia and Tennessee meet in one of the most anticipated matchups in each program's history
Georgia season ticket holders owe Tennessee a big thank you. Without this game, the Georgia home schedule is lifeless. Of course, no one can control rivals Auburn and Georgia Tech not being any good. But with this being one of the biggest games ever in Athens it saves an otherwise lame 2022 home schedule.
I don’t think it can be overstated how important this game being at home is for Georgia. Both because Neyland is a massive advantage for a Tennessee defense that has some holes and Georgia has been very strong at home under Kirby Smart.
This will be Tennessee’s first road game in a month and only their third time away from Rocky Top this year. Their first away game was a OT win at Pitt in front of 60,000. Take that for what you will. And their second away game was a throttling of LSU in Baton Rouge. LSU fans were complaining that the 11am kickoff wouldn’t be a true Death Valley experience but winning by 27 at LSU is impressive no matter what.
Georgia’s only loss at home since 2017 was an overtime upset by South Carolina in 2019. I touched on it earlier… expect this crowd to be rabid. Georgia will try to assert themselves as a powerhouse in college football.
Before I get into the matchup… I had a friend tell me with abhorrent confidence that Tennessee will win this game by two scores. But he’s a Penn State fan so his opinion is automatically cheapened because he’s had to watch a James Franklin led team for too long. He’s jaded. I wouldn’t expect someone who thinks James Franklin is the answer to know good football.
Not that it desperately needed it, but this game offers a bolt of energy to a classic rivalry. This is the first time the two will be meeting in a top 5 matchup and the first time since 2003 that both have been in the top 10.
A few weeks ago I said that Tennessee doesn’t want to get into a track meet with Alabama. They proved otherwise and have now flipped the script where the same absolutely applies here for Georgia. Georgia has struggled the past few years when trying to keep up with a high powered offense. My mind immediately goes to 2019 against Joe Burrow’s LSU and 2020 against Florida. Once those offenses got going the game was out of hand fast.
Tennessee’s offense will move quickly and Georgia will have to slow them down to control the game. In their closer games this year (Alabama, Florida & Pitt) Tennessee had the ball for less than half of the game. Controlling the line of scrimmage and keeping Heisman favorite Hendon Hooker and star wide receiver Jalin Hyatt on the sidelines is a must. Georgia will have to build on their time of possession success this season. They’re currently ranked 4th — compared to Tennessee’s 124th ranking in the category. Playing to their own strengths of running the ball and passing short to an elite core of tight ends is the Bulldog’s biggest key to success. Tennessee’s 9th best rushing defense in the country is a big test for a team that will aim to eat the clock and finish drives with touchdowns.
Games like this — against teams like Tennessee — is why Kirby Smart hired OC Todd Monken a few offseasons ago. This Bulldogs offense doesn’t solely rely on the running game. Stetson Bennett has the second most passing yards in the SEC behind Mississippi State’s Will Rogers. Yes, he has 11 more passing yards this year than Hendon Hooker. That success in the passing game has largely come from yards after the catch. Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington and the fleet of running backs will have to continue to make plays off short passes. Get the athletes out in space and make Tennessee complete tackles. The Vols have the third most missed tackles in the SEC. Georgia will have to exploit that.
With the 2nd best passing defense in the SEC, Georgia will have to rely heavily on limiting homerun balls by Tennessee. Hooker and the Vols offense will move and forcing field goals will be key for Georgia. Getting to the quarterback has been an issue for Georgia this year. Losing Nolan Smith for the remainder of the season hurts but defensive end Jalen Carter coming back full time is equally important. In limited snaps versus Florida, Carter was getting regular pressure on Anthony Richardson. Forcing Hooker out of the pocket and getting him down quickly after is vital.
Georgia has the fifth fewest penalties this year. Don’t expect the 130 yards and 4 first downs Tennessee got from Alabama. Conversely, Tennessee is the 2nd most penalized team in the SEC. I think a combination of not being away from home much this year and this Georgia crowd salivating for a good matchup could result in some false start penalties early on.
Tennessee will score, there’s no doubt about that. Ultimately, I think Georgia controls the clock on offense and allows the defense time to catch their breath. A Georgia secondary that’s bursting with NFL talent will limit the deep damage Tennessee is able to do.
This is college football at its best. Soak it in. All week we have Georgia fans and Tennessee fans arguing resumes on twitter. On Saturday, the thrilling win against Alabama won’t matter. The blowout win against Oregon won’t matter. Neither will the scare against Missouri. Come 3:30 on Saturday it’ll be about whose players are ready for the moment and can take advantage of the opportunities they’ll be given. SIXTY MINUTES OF SMASH MOUTH, HAT ON HAT SEC BALL!
I’d give ANYTHING to have Verne on the call for CBS this weekend.
I think Tennessee will cover the 8 point spread but Georgia gets the win. Both teams will score plenty but Georgia’s defense will come up big when it matters. Tennessee +8 and the over (66).
It’ll be a great game between two great teams. Georgia wins 37-32.
Now that I’ve gotten all my legitimate ideas on this game off the table. I’ll eat the trash…
All these bird brains (on both sides) on Twitter arguing strength of schedule is working me up. There’s no doubt Tennessee has a better resume than Georgia to this point. But let’s not act like an overtime win at 4-4 Pitt in front of 60,000 people is anything to hang your hat on. And the nerve to be talking about all the big wins Tennessee has had this season but then say Georgia THUMPING an “overrated” Oregon isn’t impressive is asinine.
And it’s the first game at Vince Dooley Field since the coach’s passing last week. Tennessee may get shutout. Frankly, they may be lucky to get the ball past mid-field.
Can’t wait for Saturday.