DawgsHQ Staff Predictions: Week 12 (Georgia-Tennessee, more)

We’re just a matter of weeks away from the end of the College Football season. While it’s sad news to hear, it means we’re entering an exciting time as the race for the precious four spots in the Playoffs is heating up. Georgia, up to No. 1 in the most recent rankings, hits the road to Tennessee. Meanwhile, there are some exciting matchups with implications around the country. The DawgsHQ crew takes a look at UGA-UT and more for this week’s edition of staff predictions.

*** Georgia covered its 10.5-point spread last week against Ole Miss. That was correctly prediction by Rusty, Reuse, Rowe and Palmer. This week, it’s a slightly smaller line for the Dawgs, but still double-digits as UGA comes in at -10 against Tennessee. ***

Jeremy Johnson (23-31-4)

Georgia gets a chance to flex on their way to back-to-back weeks in Atlanta. Expect Carson Beck to have an explosive game with big plays from a steadily more healthy version of Brock Bowers. Rara Thomas feels due for a few big plays as well. (Georgia 41, Tennessee 24)

Rusty Mansell

I think Georgia takes control in the second half of this one with its physicality and depth. Run game gets going and carries the weight. After Kendall Milton had his big game last week, it’s Daijun Edwards time. (Georgia 38, Tennessee 20)

Jake Reuse (25-29-4)

In terms of talent, I think Tennessee is probably third on the list of teams Georgia has seen over the last three weeks, though not a bad team by any stretch. Josh Heupel is a strong offensive mind, and while that can always cause some issues, that was also true of Lane Kiffin last week. The Bulldogs were still all over the Rebels in every aspect of the game and walked away handily. I’m expecting the same in Knoxville this week. If Tennessee’s passing game were reaching the heights it had under Hendon Hooker and last year’s corps of Vol receivers, I’d be a bit more hesitant here. That’s just not the case, and Georgia has managed to thrive against teams that have to rely on the run. Tennessee will score some, but I don’t think it’ll be nearly enough. (Georgia 38, Tennessee 20)

Jake Rowe (27-27-4)

This is a weird spot for Georgia. The Bulldogs are coming off a massive win and Tennessee got embarrassed by Missouri. The Vols will want to get that bitter taste out of their mouths and while they can’t win the SEC East or accomplish what they set out to in September, winning this game will make this season feel really successful. I just think that Georgia is playing some really good football right now. The nine-point win over Missouri was a bit up and down but the Bulldogs controlled a very good team in the second half. It comes down to whether or not UGA can protect the passer and stop the run. I think they’ll do the former well and the latter well enough.

Tennessee lands some punches through the first three quarters but Georgia lands more and gets a big road win. The Volunteers have done a good job defending Brock Bowers to this point but I think he gets loose in this one. (Georgia 38, Tennessee 17)

Palmer Thombs (34-20-4)

Georgia is playing its best football of the season right now, and I think it continues to show in Knoxville. The Bulldogs silence any doubters of their ability to play on the road with an elite offensive showing. Meanwhile, a statistically strong defense does its job and holds Tennessee to less than 20, paving the way to a UGA cover. (Georgia 41, Tennessee 17)

National Games of the Week (Against the Spread)

No. 3 Michigan (-18.5) @ Maryland / 12:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Jeremy: Maryland
Reuse: Michigan
Rowe: Maryland
Palmer: Michigan

No. 10 Louisville @ Miami (-1) / 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Jeremy: Louisville
Reuse: Louisville
Rowe: Miami
Palmer: Louisville

No. 5 Washington @ No. 11 Oregon State (-2.5) / 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Jeremy: Oregon State
Reuse: Washington
Rowe: Oregon State
Palmer: Washington

Florida @ No. 9 Missouri (-11.5) / 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Jeremy: Missouri
Reuse: Missouri
Rowe: Missouri
Palmer: Missouri

No. 7 Texas (-7.5) @ Iowa State / 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Jeremy: Texas
Reuse: Texas
Rowe: Iowa State
Palmer: Texas

For more from the crew at DawgsHQ, be sure to sign up TODAY and take advantage of our big game special for 50% off or just $1 for one month. Also, if you don’t want to miss a thing, follow us on social and check us out on YouTube!