Kirk Herbstreit, David Pollack debate difference between Tennessee and Georgia

On Tuesday, the team for College Gameday Live at ESPN treated everyone to a preview of Nov. 1 and the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, next week. Needless to say, the guys have different rankings for their top-six teams in the nation. Still, everyone had SEC East powers Georgia and Tennessee in their top-four. That led Rece Davis to ask a question that drew Kirk Herbstreit and David Pollack into a debate over the two teams.

When asked how he separates the Volunteers and the Bulldogs, Herbstreit had one simple answer.

“Hendon Hooker is my answer. That’s it, that’s it,” said Herbstreit. “Josh Heupel and Tennessee’s offense, man. Hendon Hooker, right now, is that guy. Now I’m not saying he couldn’t sputter. But right now, based on these first eight weeks; I think if you’re looking at separating Tennessee from anybody, it’s the way they can outscore anybody that they played. And again, I know that they could slip against Kentucky. They could lose, obviously, at Georgia. But right now, they are just dynamic on that side of the ball, and it’s because of Hendon Hooker, Davis.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Pollack’s answer would be surprising to anyone unfamiliar with his collegiate background. The former Bulldog stand-out had Georgia at the top of his list and explained that their balance is what makes them the superior team.

“…It’s hard to argue with offense. The only thing I would argue with Kirk, and the only reason I would say Georgia is I think George is more complete,” said Pollack. “I think Georgia’s defense comes into play. I think their offense is better than it was a year ago, and they’re using Darnell Washington better. I think they’re going to get healthy and wide receiver by the time they play Tennessee, too, with AD Mitchell and company. So I think I would go more balanced from Georgia.

“It’s still not by much because I still lean to how dominant that offense is with Hendon Hooker in Tennessee, and you gotta take that into account. But I just lean to the more complete team, maybe, being Georgia.

Fans will not have to wait until the College Football Playoff to see how this all will shake out. Georgia and Tennessee will face off and continue their annual rivalry matchup next Saturday, Nov. 5. the Volunteers will travel down to Athens in a matchup that will definitely shake up the second week of the College Football Playoff rankings.