Candace Parker sends message to Vol nation ahead of Georgia game

As Tennessee prepares to face No. 1 Georgia inside Neyland Stadium, all the stars are out. WNBA champion and former Lady Vol Candace Parker joins many familiar faces in the stands, also predicting a historic upset for Tennessee.

“Hey it’s Candace Parker, forever Volunteer, forever in my heart,” Parker said in a video posted by Tennessee Football’s social media team. “It’s amazing to be back in Big Orange Country. The excitement around this game – I’m telling you we gonna do it. I’m excited to be here.”

A special message from the GOAT. pic.twitter.com/XuJvLlrSLT

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 13, 2021

Parker is not alone in her prediction, joining Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. The former Tennessee coach joined ESPN’s College GameDay to troll his former team and former co-worker Kirby Smart with a bold upset prediction and parting shot at the Volunteer fans.

Tennessee’s path to victory

Georgia has undoubtedly been the best team in college football this season – there is no question about it. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff Top 25 with a perfect 9-0 record and are 19.5-point favorites for Saturday’s SEC road game at Tennessee.

Despite being heavy underdogs against the nation’s best team, Tennessee may have a chance if they do all the right things, according to SEC Network analyst Roman Harper, who previewed the game Friday on The Paul Finebaum Show from Knoxville.

“They’ve got to get some good things happening for them early,” Harper said Friday. “If you get the ball and score first, go down and force Georgia to get a three-and-out or punt the football, you get another field goal or another touchdown – if you’re up 10, 14 points, next thing you know Georgia has a little bit of sweat going down them.”

Those tasks will certainly be easier said than done as Georgia presents one of the best defenses in the country. The Bulldogs allow their opponents to score just 6.56 points per game, which leads the nation, and also put up 231.8 yards, which ranks second.

Tennessee, which is currently 5-4 on the season with a 3-3 mark in SEC play, has put up some solid numbers offensively behind quarterback Hendon Hooker’s play. While Hooker has thrown for 1,894 yards and 21 touchdowns with only two interceptions in 2021, the Volunteers are averaging 38.22 points and 457.7 yards per game.

“I love what Hendon Hooker’s doing,” Harper also said. “I love the explosive ability and capability of what Tennessee’s doing offensively.”