Georgia vs. Tennessee: Who has the edge?

We’re just a couple of days away from one of the biggest College Football games of the 2022 season — Tennessee at Georgia. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings while the Volunteers will enter Sanford Stadium on Saturday at No. 1

Rankings wise, it’s the biggest game in Sanford Stadium history. All eyes will be on the Classic City come Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. But who has the edge? Below, DawgsHQ breaks down five important areas to make that determination.

When Georgia runs it…

Georgia has quietly developed one of the SEC’s top rushing attacks. The Bulldogs rank No. 3 in the league in yards per carry at 5.65. The offensive line has jelled since those awful three quarters at Missouri to begin October and the ball carriers are running with a purpose. Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards have led the way by making people miss, breaking tackles, and finishing runs with physicality.

Tennessee has the SEC’s best run defense when it comes to yards per carry surrendered. The Volunteers haven’t allowed a team to average four yards per carry this season and they’ve used an explosive offense plus a stingy run defense to make teams abandon pretty early in games. Tennessee does it with activity and speed up front. That’s something that Georgia has struggled with at times with most of it being early in the season. Edge: Push

When Tennessee runs it…

Analysts love to talk about Tennessee’s explosive passing attack and how Hendon Hooker and company are constantly stressing teams with shots down the field. That’s an impressive aspect of this offense but the Volunteers are a solid run team as well. It hasn’t been a particularly explosive attack but it’s consistent and potent if teams try to overplay the pass.

Georgia’s run defense has also gotten better as the year has gone on. Teams have gotten quite a bit of yardage against the Bulldogs in garbage time this season. The Bulldogs are giving up 4.07 yards per game in the fourth quarter and that’s over a half yard more than any other quarter. Getting Jalen Carter back is huge for this team and he should be able to play more early-down snaps in this game. Edge: Georgia

When Georgia throws it…

Tennessee’s passing game is getting a lot of love and it’s deserved. But Georgia’s passing offense is also really effective. If you ask Bulldog fans, they’d tell you that Stetson Bennett and the passing attack has been inconsistent for more than a month. There have been stretches but when you glance at the numbers, you see efficiency and productivity. Bennett is averaging just under 294 passing yards per game and while The Bulldogs don’t have nearly as many of the 30 and 40-yard plays as Tennessee, they are tied with the Volunteers at No. 9 nationally in pass plays of 20-plus yards.

Tennessee’s pass defense seems to be improving. It embarrassed Kentucky quarterback Will Levis last week, holding him to under 100 yards through the air and intercepting him three times. The Vols do a good job of rushing the passer and affecting the quarterback but if the man behind center has some time, that secondary can be broken down. Tennessee has also really struggled with good tight ends this season, surrendering 14 catches for 236 yards and three scores against Alabama, Florida, and Pitt tight ends. Edge: Georgia

When Tennessee throws it…

This is the element of the game that most are talking about. Hooker is accurate, decisive, and confident. There’s a reason that he is the Heisman Trophy frontrunner right now. Jaylin Hyatt has developed into a superstar at receiver and may soar right past 20 receiving touchdowns by the time all is said and done. The Vols also have Bru McCoy, Ramel Keyton, and Cedric Tillman. Tillman lit Georgia up over over 200 receiving yards last year and he returned to action against Kentucky last week.

Georgia has the SEC’s top pass defense but it hasn’t exactly gone up against any juggernauts. The Bulldogs have done what they’re supposed to do against inferior competition. The talent is there. Kelee Ringo and Malaki Starks are two of the most gifted defensive backs in the sport. Chris Smith may be better than both. But Tennessee is going to present a tremendous challenge and it’s going to force all five or six defensive backs on the field to play well. Edge: Tennessee

Special Teams

Georgia is better in the kicking game. The Bulldogs have been more consistent when it comes to hitting field goals and Tennessee is last in the conference in average yards per punt. Both teams do a good job of covering kickoffs and punts. The Bulldogs and Volunteers have combined to allow just five punt returns all year. They’re alike in that teams are found some success with those five returns. Tennessee does a better job in punt return game while Georgia is a little better at returning kicks. This one is really tight but circle back to the kicking game for Georgia at home. Edge: Georgia

Georgia vs. Tennessee Overall

Tennessee is rolling and you can’t discount that. The Volunteers have caught lightning in a bottle and it has nothing to do with luck or playing over their heads. Josh Heupel has done a tremendous job in a short amount of time and his team is getting it done in a very exciting way.

It’s going to take a focused, four-quarter effort for the Bulldogs to get a win but that same thing can be said for Tennessee. Georgia is getting picked apart this week. Depending on who you read or listen to, you’re seeing or hearing heavy critiques of the offensive weapons and the talent level on defense. Kirby Smart’s team has a chance to silence some doubters and show that it has the offense to hang with Tennessee. This game is also at home and it’s the type of game Georgia fans have been wanting for three years. That’s a factor. Edge: Georgia