Tennessee at Georgia: Offensive player projections for Week 12

The SEC race is heating up, and all eyes will be on Athens for a Week 12 showdown. Georgia and Tennessee will square off at Sanford Stadium, and the offensive player projections have been set, according to PrizePicks.

Both teams are squarely in the College Football Playoff race, which adds to the intrigue around Saturday’s game. Tennessee stayed put as the No. 7 team in the country in the second rankings reveal while Georgia dropped to No. 12 after last week’s loss to Ole Miss. However, in the 12-team bracket, the Bulldogs would be the first team out because No. 13 Boise State was the projected fifth-highest ranked conference champion.

There are plenty of storylines around both quarterbacks, as well. The health of Nico Iamaleava is perhaps the biggest after he left last week’s win over Mississippi State with an injury. He went into concussion protocol this week, but boarded the team bus to head to Athens for Saturday’s game.

On the UGA side, Carson Beck has had an up-and-down few weeks. He has five touchdowns and nine interceptions over his last four games, but will look to right the ship on Saturday as Georgia looks to stay in the College Football Playoff discussion.

Georgia and Tennessee will square off Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Here are the offensive player projections for the matchup, according to PrizePicks.

Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee

Pass Yards: 188.5
Rush Yards: 13.5
INT: 0.5

After leaving last week’s game against Mississippi State and later entering concussion protocol, Nico Iamlaeava will be back on the field for the primetime matchup against Georgia. He appeared to be finding his stride before his departure and will look to pick up where he left off.

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

Pass Yards: 257.5
Rush Yards: 3.5
Pass TDs: 1.5

After a 459-yard performance against Mississippi State, it’s been a rough last few games for Carson Beck. He’s averaging 223 yards during that time while throwing seven interceptions, and he’ll try to get back on track in the high-profile matchup against Tennessee.

Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

Rush Yards: 96.5
Receiving Yards: 6.5

One of the top running backs in the country, Dylan Sampson is fueling the Tennessee offense by leading the running game. His 125.4 rushing yards per game rank seventh in the country, and PrizePicks lists his projection at 96.5 rush yards against Georgia.

Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia

Rush Yards: 78.5

With Trevor Etienne out against Tennessee, Nate Frazier will be the next man up in the backfield. He’ll get the bulk of the carries on Saturday, and his rush yard projection is set at 78.5, according to PrizePicks.

Dont’e Thornton, WR, Tennessee

Receiving Yards: 33.5
Receptions: 2.5

Tennessee’s leading receiver, Dont’e Thornton was also questionable ahead of the Georgia game. However, he will be able to play, giving Nico Iamaleava his favorite target for the showdown.

Dominic Lovett, WR, Georgia

Receiving Yards: 48.5

Throughout the year, Dominic Lovett has been one of Carson Beck’s go-to guys. He leads Georgia with 42 receptions entering Week 12, and his receiving yard projection is set at 48.5 against Tennessee, according to PrizePicks.

Bru McCoy, WR, Tennessee

Receiving Yards: 28.5
Receptions: 2.5

Tennessee’s leader in receptions, Bru McCoy continues to have a strong connection with Nico Iamaleava. He has 357 receiving yards on the year, and his projection is set at 28.5 for Saturday’s game, according to PrizePicks.

Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia

Receiving Yards: 40.5

Georgia’s third-leading receiver, Dillon Bell is another important piece of the passing attack. He enters Week 12 with 393 yards and four touchdowns, surpassing last season’s total in both categories with three games to go.

Squirrel White, WR, Tennessee

Receiving Yards: 25.5

Another key playmaker for Tennessee, Squirrel White continues to put together a strong year. He has 357 yards, but just one receiving touchdown.

Arian Smith, WR, Georgia

Receiving Yards: 37.5
Receptions: 3.5

With two 100-yard games to his name, Arian Smith enters the Tennessee matchup as Georgia’s leading receiver. He’s been quiet as of late with exactly 32 yards in two of the last three games, and PrizePicks lists his projection at 37.5 on Saturday.

Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee

Receiving Yards: 26.5

It’s been a quiet few games for Chris Brazzell, who can make some big plays for Tennessee. He failed to top 20 yards in the last two games, and his projection is set at 24.5 receiving yards against Georgia, according to PrizePicks.

Lawson Luckie, TE, Georgia

Receiving Yards: 19.5

Lawson Luckie has settled in well to the TE1 role at Georgia this year. He’s a good safety blanket for Carson Beck, totaling 213 yards and three touchdowns heading into Week 12.

Miles Kitselman, TE, Tennessee

Receiving Yards: 18.5

With three touchdowns on the season, Miles Kitselman sits second on the Tennessee roster. He also has 183 receiving yards, showing his role within the offense as a red-zone target.

Tennessee at Georgia will highlight the Week 12 slate as the race toward the SEC Championship hits a new gear. Of course, there are also massive CFP implications for both teams as they look to make the 12-team field.