Tennessee vs. Georgia -- The picks are in

Tennessee travels between the hedges in Athens, Georgia to take on the Bulldogs in a top three matchup that will determine the SEC east.

The Vols are ranked #1 in the initial college football rankings, but the third ranked Bulldogs are significant favorites.

How will things go? The Volquest staff offers their picks.

Brent’s pick

No one expected this game to mean this. Number one for the first time since 1998, Tennessee and Georgia will square off in a game that means the SEC Eastern division and has huge ramifications in the college football playoffs. 

Here’s what I believe. Tennessee absolutely can beat Georgia. I’m not saying Tennessee has caught up to them talent wise in the SEC east, but this team, this year can win. 

In my opinion here’s how they can do it. Here are the two biggest keys to pulling off the upset as the #1 team in the country. (That’s not a Hubbs typo by the way). One, Tennessee must have some success running the football. They must have balance. 

In Josh Heupel’s four SEC losses as head coach, they have rushed for less than 150 yards in 3 of them. In their SEC wins this year, Tennessee has run for 227, 263, 182, and 177. This offense must have balance and be able to have an effective ground game. 

Defensively, it’s about getting off the field on 3rd and long. Georgia is going to move the ball. Georgia is going to score some points. When the opportunity presents itself to get off the field, this defense must. 

I said a month ago on the podcast that I thought Tennessee might match up better with Georgia than Alabama. I’m still think that might be the case. I think the biggest difference between Georgia and Alabama is the Georgia offensive line is better which is worrisome. 

Kirby Smart doesn’t win often when teams score 30 points on his defense, in fact he’s only done it once. I think the Vols will get 30 between the hedges, but I’m not sure if Tennessee can get enough critical stops.

Georgia 38 Tennessee 35 (on a late field goal)

Austin’s pick

The more this week has progressed the more I’ve felt like this team just has that it factor. Georgia is really good. Their offense is sneaky and their defense is legit. What it’s not is a team Tennessee should be scared of. This team doesn’t have the defense that last year’s did.

Hendon Hooker has been tremendous and it’s hard to think that is going to change this week. I expect him to be more of a factor with his legs this week.

It’s really pick your poison if you are Georgia because Heupel and Golesh are very much happy to hand it off if Georgia wants to drop seven or eight into coverage.

Defensively, Tennessee has to find a way to get off the field on third down. Stetson Bennett is sneaky athletic and loves to extend plays.

This team sure feels like one of destiny to me. No moment is to big and they embrace them.

We have seen the stats this week about when Georgia gives up more than 30 points. Dee Williams flips the field and welcome back Cedric Tillman as he is a playmaker in this one.

Tennessee 44 Georgia 35

Rob’s pick

No one has really slowed Tennessee’s offense down this season aside from Pittsburgh in game two. Since then, the Vols have been clicking and they’ve really been clicking lately, scoring 40, 52 and 44 points in their last three SEC games.

I don’t see Georgia keeping Tennessee out of the 30s on Saturday. However, I think the Vols will need more than 30-something points to win this one. I think they need to be in the 40s. Can they get there? Sure, but it’s not a given.

The bigger question to me is can the Vols slow down a Georgia offense which ranks second to the Vols nationally in total offense per game at 530 yards?

I look for the Bulldogs to score and for this to be an offensive shootout despite the fact that Georgia gives up just 10.5 points per game, the second lowest total in the nation.

Tennessee doesn’t need a dominant day on the ground, but the offense has got to be able to run the football effectively, something around 150-175 yards. That will keep the defense honest and allow the Vols’ to have some balance.

Defensively, the secondary must be more like the version we saw against Kentucky than the one we saw in the previous three SEC games.

Turnovers and special teams will be huge in this one. One untimely turnover or one big return or miscue in the kicking game could be the difference here.

I don’t think Tennessee will be intimidated by the environment, and like I said, I think they’ll score.

This has all the makings of a wild one and I’m betting it lives up to the hype.

TENNESSEE 41, GEORGIA 38

Eric’s pick

I mentioned this early in the week, but there’s really no reason to pick against Tennessee right now. It may not win this football game, but the way its playing, I have confidence it will find a way. It did earlier this season against Pittsburgh when things weren’t going well. The offense has been next level every other game this year against a couple of pretty solid defensive squads. And last week, what a defensive effort and special teams play (for the most part) against Kentucky. 

Now, that’s not to say tomorrow will be easy. This will be Tennessee’s toughest opponent (groundbreaking analysis there). Sure, Georgia lost five first rounders on defense, but its still great on paper, giving up 10 points an outing. Nolan Smith will be a no-go and that’s a huge loss for the Bulldogs. In steps in Robert Beal who has plenty of experience, including last year during the playoff run. Georgia has been incredible defensively on third downs (29%) and has been great against the run (85.4 yds/game). 

But as we say every week, Georgia’s defense hasn’t encountered anything like what they will see tomorrow from Hooker, Hyatt and this offensive line that’s playing well. How will it adjust as the game goes on? Can that young secondary (FR, SO, SO SO, SR) stay focused and not get confused when Heupel & Golesh get to work? 

For me, this game will come down to Tennessee’s defense. We’ve thrown out all the stats on how Georgia’s offense has been impressive this season. In fact, I’d make the case it’s underrated. What will Tennessee choose to eliminate? The run would be a start. Brock Bowers will make plays. Stetson Bennett will make some plays – that’s what good players do. Can Tennessee eliminate the run and force Georgia to beat them going one-dimensional? And if so, can Tennessee rally around the intermediate passing game to the tight ends and running backs? 

In a game like this, you’ve got to win at least two phases of the game and then catch a break or two. I think Tennessee’s offense will score, but can the defense create a key takeaway or two? Let’s find out. I think this game lives up to the billing where everyone watching is in for a treat. It may not win tomorrow, but I think I’d be a fool to not see a way it could. In a coinflip, give me the Vols on the road in what would be the most impressive program victory in the past 15 years. 

TENNESSEE 42, GEORGIA 38

Grant’s pick

In the past, in any other situation, really, I’m taking Georgia to win this game. On the road against the defending national champion, a team that at times has looked just as good this season as it did last season.

But Tennessee is still undefeated after eight games and is the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff Top 25. Nothing about this season has been anything like the recent past for the Vols.

Josh Heupel appears to have the same mindset he’s had all season. He didn’t tell his players to block out the noise with the playoff rankings coming out this week. Instead, he told them on Monday to continue to look around and enjoy the journey they’ve been on.

And this Tennessee team, at least to date, has had no problem living in the spotlight that has gotten brighter with each passing week. So here I am again predicting the Vols to do what they’ve done all season — just keep winning.

I don’t know how it happens, but I know it needs to include a fast start. A couple three-and-outs early on would create a steep mountain to climb. But no one has stopped this Tennessee offense yet, so there’s no reason to expect it to stall completely in Athens.

Defensively, Tennessee’s front will have to not only pressure Stenson Bennett, but contain him, too. The Vols have taken major strides on that side of the ball as of late. A couple more takeaways could be the difference. Dee Williams could be a difference-maker, too, if he can keep flipping the field with long punt returns.

Long story short, I can’t be the guy that shows up on the site on Tuesday and predicts the undefeated Vols to lose on Saturday.

Tennessee 41, Georgia 33