College Football Preview – Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia looks destined to go into the SEC Championship Game undefeated. The Bulldogs are 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country ahead of their final conference game of the regular season. They are three-touchdown favorites on the road against the Tennessee Volunteers this weekend, and this is Georgia’s last real test before closing out with FCS Charleston Southern and a retooling Georgia Tech squad.

The Tennessee Volunteers will welcome the Georgia Bulldogs to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

College Football Betting Odds

Georgia -20

Tennessee +20

Total 56

The Bulldogs have been the most impressive team in college football this season. Since Georgia’s opening win over Clemson, the Bulldogs have defeated every opponent by at least 17 points. They pounded Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, and Florida in one memorable stretch, proving that they are the team to beat this season.

One more win will make Tennessee bowl eligible. It’s unlikely that the Volunteers are able to knock off Georgia, but they have very winnable games against South Alabama and Vanderbilt to close out the season. The Vols were competitive in losses to Ole Miss and Alabama before going on the road to knock off Kentucky last week.

When Georgia Has the Ball

Kirby Smart has embraced the two-quarterback system at Georgia. Stetson Bennett IV has been the favorite option, averaging 11.8 YPA with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions, but USC transfer J.T. Daniels has had his moments in the sun too. Daniels is completing 74.4% of his passes and has the better arm of the two.

This offense is not creative, but the Bulldogs are more than happy to just run opponents into the ground. They are averaging 4.9 YPC as a team, and Zamir White is the leading rusher. Five different players have at least 30 carries though, so this is truly a running back by committee in Athens.

Tennessee does not have a great defense. The Volunteers are left on the field for too long because of their quick-strike offense. That has led to the Vols allowing 31.8 PPG and 447.9 YPG, and they rank dead last nationally in time of possession.

When Tennessee Has the Ball

Josh Heupel has revamped Tennessee’s offense since coming to Knoxville in the spring. He has implemented his hurry-up scheme and tries to create a lot of big plays. That has led to some exciting games, but their explosiveness wears down the defense.

Hendon Hooker has been excellent at quarterback, completing 69.4% of his passes for 10.2 YPA with 21 touchdowns and two interceptions. He has been sacked a whopping 27 times or else he would lead Tennessee in rushing yards.

All three of Tennessee’s top receivers have at least one 70-yard reception this season. Hooker isn’t afraid to air it out, and the Vols can run the ball too, averaging 5.0 YPC. That has led to this offense being ranked 12^th in SP+.

Georgia has the best defense in the country by a mile. The Bulldogs have yet to allow more than 13 points in a game, and they are surrendering just 6.6 PPG, 232.4 YPG, and 3.6 yards per play. This is the most talented defense you will find as there are at least four first-round picks on the roster.

Prediction

This is a bad match-up for Tennessee. Georgia will keep the ball out of Hooker’s hands and lean on this front seven until it collapses. The Bulldogs may be able to name the score in this one.

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