Kirby Smart previews the challenge of facing Hendon Hooker

Tennessee and Georgia are set to clash in what could be a legendary game Saturday afternoon, with the No. 1 overall spot in the country on the line. The Volunteers are hoping star quarterback Hendon Hooker keeps them on track with another impressive showing, but Georgia coach Kirby Smart knows his team will have its hands full with Hooker.

“Just another year experienced in the offense,” Smart said when comparing Hooker to last year. “He’s one step ahead of where he was. Think of the reps and the games he’s played since the games last year. He’s just as elusive, he’s got the same arm talent, those two don’t improve. It’s his decision-making and his processing. And the guys around him are playing better, too. They’re playing much better across the offensive line, they’re running the ball, they’ve got explosive playmakers that are playing better. They’ve improved around him and he’s improved.”

Hooker has been a key reason for the success that Tennessee has had this year. Hooker has completed 71.2% of his passes for 2,338 yards, 21 touchdowns and just one interception this season, while also adding in four rushing touchdowns.

Georgia won a national championship last season thanks to a legendary defense and this season has been another impressive showing on that side of the ball. The Bulldogs are fourth overall in total defense, giving up 262.6 yards per game and they rank second in the country in scoring defense, giving up just 10.5 points per game. No team has scored more than 22 points on Georgia this season.

The Volunteers are currently in second place in the SEC East behind their upcoming opponent. The winner of this weekend’s showdown will all but lock up a spot in the SEC title game to face an opponent from the west. Hooker has made it clear that the title game in Atlanta is his end goal.

“Championship. You know, we want to win the SEC Championship. That’s our goal, to be playing in Atlanta at the end of the season,” Hooker said. “Every day we come in, it’s another day at the office. Same way a mailman goes and delivers mail, same way we’re going into the football facility lifting weights, hopping on film and trying to get better every day.”

The Volunteers and Bulldogs are slated for a 3:30 p.m. ET kick on CBS.