Saturday Spotlight
(1) Tennessee Volunteers at (3) Georgia Bulldogs
Tennessee: I’ve watched them so much this season and I’ve loved every second of it. This is a great football team and they’re considered to be a legit title contender. They are off to their best start since 1998 and coincidentally, that’s when they last won a National Title. Believe it or not, last Saturday was the best I’ve seen them look all year long and as always, I will explain. Against Kentucky in week nine, it was the defense that took the shine away from the offense and all the offense had to do was cruise along. It was the second time all year that the offense didn’t reach the 500-yard mark. They still won by 38 points behind three turnovers and held a Wildcats offense anchored by Will Levis to 205 total yards and two field goals. Now, let’s get back to the offense. You can make a case the Tennessee Volunteers are the best offensive team in the country next to the Ohio State Buckeyes. What’s impressed me is they’ve been able to move the football on some of the stingier defenses in their own conferences such as Alabama, LSU and Kentucky. Hendon Hooker is a favorite to win the Heisman. What a difference a year can make because last year, the Vols finished with a 7-6 record and had questions concerning their Offensive Line and defense entering the year. A season later, here they are. Undefeated with an elite Quarterback, the best Wide Receiver in the conference (Jaylin Hyatt) and a high-powered offense. This comes off as such a surprise. Today, they’ll make that trip to Athens for a highly anticipated game.
Georgia: Repeating as champions in any sport is never easy. I mean, look at the NFL. We haven’t had a repeat champion since those Patriots back in the early 2000s. It’s also a challenge when a bulk of your team from a title winner left for the NFL, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they aren’t as dominant as they were in 2021. I remember last year, the most points they gave up on defense last year was 41 which came against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game. This year, they’ve given up 20 points three times this year against Kent State and they almost dropped the game against Missouri while handling business against Florida. I’ll say this: If they could show some week-to-week consistency, they are the favorites to win it all again. The Georgia Bulldogs bread and butter is a strong ground game and a physical Offensive Line that wears you down. This Georgia group of Running Backs averages 5.7 yards per carry. This offense has more weapons than people give them credit for, and it starts with the Tight Ends, Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington. Both create problems for every defense they face. Stetson Bennett can also check the ball down to Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton and don’t forget the slot Receiver, Lade McConkey. I remember after seeing their opening win against Oregon, I stated that their defense has more speed than last year. I understand their defense has shown some vulnerabilities, but there’s no denying they still aren’t one of the best in the country. They return back to Athens for a huge showdown.
Tennessee X-Factor: Princeton Fant– With Jaylin Hyatt getting much of the coverage, it’s understandable as to why the other weapons go under the radar. Let’s meet Princeton Fant. He’s a field spacer and creates those mismatches that most Tight Ends do. The Vols use Princeton in the slot as an additional receiver or on Tight End screens which you’re seeing more of these days. He’s a shifty weapon in space for a man of his stature and moves well up the field with the football in his hands.
Georgia X-Factor: Jalen Carter– He’s one of the pieces that remained in Athens from that 2021 defense. With the loss of Nolan Smith for the remainder of the year, this defense will be counting on Jalen to lead the way. No Defensive Tackle should do most of what he’s able to do. His motor is always on a thousand. He’s so quick and active on that line for the Dawgs. Jalen pushes his way through Offensive Lines consistently and there’s no answer for him. He’s the mix of power with speed.
Final Thoughts: I’ve been waiting for this one. What a game this can and should be. Neither team has seen what the other has possessed. Tennessee hasn’t seen a defense this stingy as to what they will see today and the Bulldogs haven’t seen an offense that can attack in different ways since Alabama last year in the SEC Title Game. This is a collision course if I ever saw one. It’s key for Tennessee to make this game a shootout. Continue to do what got you to the number one ranking in the College Football Playoff and that’s tempo, pace and scoring. Get off to a fast start and make Georgia uncomfortable. Make them press. For the Bulldogs: Getting the running game going is key for them. Get on track on the ground and the offense must hit 10–15-yard chunk plays through the air and attack a Tennessee secondary that’s been inconsistent throughout the year. Watch Bowers get targeted early and often. Georgia has to ugly this game up and get the tempo of this one in their favor. Two great Quarterbacks, two great coaches, one wild atmosphere. I’m going to enjoy this game.
Prediction: Georgia 35, Tennessee 31
