Rece Davis picks Georgia to win, cover against Tennessee

Before the season, Georgia’s roadtrip to Knoxville to play Tennessee was a matchup that many circled as a massive one for both squads. Now, with how the campaign has played out through mid-November, Rece Davis, like others, isn’t so sure of how closely contested it will be in the end.

Davis made his pick for the divisional contest between the Bulldogs and Volunteers on the ‘College GameDay Podcast’ on Thursday. He started by noting that this game’s location inside Neyland Stadium is the most important factor for the Vols’ chances.

“Third straight big game for Georgia, toughest road game of the season by far. All of Tennessee’s losses, I believe, have been on the road,” Davis said.

Even so, we all know what kind of team that Kirby Smart has once again with this version of Georgia. They have remained unblemised over their last 27 opportunities on the field with a 10-0 record in ’23. They have proven, time and again, to be just as great as they have been over the past two seasons. That’s especially so with how dominant that their wins over Kentucky, Florida, and Ole Miss have looked

The question in this game comes down to whether Tennessee will or won’t shrink away from another prime moment this fall. The Volunteers have more than managed in their seven wins as they’ve battered decent enough competition. Based on their losses to Florida, Alabama, and Missouri, though, Davis isn’t sure that they’ll have it in them and, therefore, knows what that would mean for the outlook on their season

“This is really the only get back opportunity left for Tennessee, right? I mean they’ve lost every big game, pretty much, for them this year,” said Davis. “If they lose, it drops them to a four-loss season.”

That’s why, when it came down to it, Davis didn’t doubt the Bulldogs, even with them set to face their most difficult road test yet on Rocky Top.

In yet another chance for people to bet against the defending champions, Davis didn’t do so. He took Georgia to win as well as cover their double-digit spread on Saturday.

“I don’t see how in the world they do it,” said Davis. “I’m going to take the ‘Dawgs and lay the points.”

“I don’t see Tennessee beating them and I really don’t see Tennessee staying within 10,” Davis admitted. “They might for awhile but Georgia will close it out and cover.”