TENNESSEE (3-1, 0-1 SEC) VS. NO. 7 GEORGIA (4-0, 1-0)
3:30 p.m. › Neyland Stadium in Knoxville › CBS & 106.5 FM, 102.3 FM
THE MATCHUP
Even if devastating injuries to Georgia running backs playing in Neyland Stadium becomes a trend, the Bulldogs will have plenty of depth to fill the void. Standout rusher Nick Chubb has returned to full strength since tearing three ligaments in his left knee at Tennessee in 2015. Sony Michel, Chubb’s roommate and a fellow senior running back, is equally dangerous, and they are backed up by capable sophomore Brian Herrien and aptly named freshman DeAndre Swift. Tennessee counters with John Kelly, the Southeastern Conference’s leader in rushing yards, rushing TDs and total touches. The Volunteers need their offensive line to improve on last week’s poor performance and will need freshman running back Ty Chandler to emerge in a complementary role to Kelly if they hope to move the football and keep a deep Georgia defense from locking in on a passing game still looking for its groove.
THE ONE TO WATCH
Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm made his first career start in the Bulldogs’ second game of the season, leading them to a 20-19 victory at Notre Dame. The true freshman is a rising star who has appeared unflappable in even the biggest moments, but this will be his first SEC game away from Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop implored Vols fans this week to “introduce him to what road SEC football is all about.” Second-year Georgia coach Kirby Smart, a former Bulldogs safety, spoke this week about Neyland Stadium: “It’s loud, loud, loud. They’re right on top of you, and they’ve got two people in every one seat. It’s tough.” Will a frustrated Tennessee fan base rise to the occasion and be able to rattle Fromm? If Tennessee’s defense is able to put the Bulldogs in third-down passing situations early, it could give the Vols and their faithful the momentum needed to stay in the game and make this another Georgia-Tennessee classic.
IN THE END
This SEC East border war is in its finest chapter, with six consecutive games in the series having been decided by one possession, including last year’s 34-31 Tennessee victory that included touchdown passes of more than 40 yards from both teams in the final 20 seconds. If the streak of great games is to continue, Tennessee needs to drastically improve on its performance from last week’s lackluster 17-13 win over UMass. Even if the Vols snap out of their funk, Georgia — fresh off a 31-3 drubbing of previously unbeaten Mississippi State — may have too many top-flight running backs and too much defensive depth for Tennessee to hang with it. When it comes to this rivalry, you never know. But today’s matchup appears to have all the makings for a relatively comfortable Georgia victory that will propel the Bulldogs into the driver’s seat of the SEC East and establish them as perhaps the only worthy challenger to Alabama in the conference.