Week 6: Georgia at Tennessee

You don’t want to put too much stock into any single game, but this is an absolutely enormous game for Tennessee. This is a team that has won the two games it was supposed to win (Southern Miss and Arkansas State) and lost its only two games against top competition. There’s no shame in losing at Cal and Florida, but a program like Tennessee should not be losing by such decisive margins.

A UT win this weekend would not cure all of the program’s problems, but the Vols would sure feel a lot better about themselves. Florida’s loss to Auburn has opened up the SEC East race, and a 1–1 Tennessee team would have to think it could be a factor. An 0–2 start, however, would be nearly impossible to overcome. Not only would the Vols be out of the race by the first week of October, but the Phil Fulmer-must-go chatter would rage out of control.

This is an important game for Georgia, as well. After letting one get away against South Carolina at home, the Dawgs have bounced back and are now 2–1 in league play.

Georgia might not have the most explosive offense in the league, but the Dawgs do have the ability to win a game with their passing attack or their running game. Matthew Stafford led the way in the win at Alabama (224 yards passing), while the backfield duo of Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown powered a rushing attack that rolled up 328 yards against Ole Miss.

Expect the Dawgs to lean on their running backs once again. Tennessee has struggled in all phases defensively, but the Vols have been especially vulnerable against the run in their two games against BCS competition. Cal ran for 230 in the opener; Florida rolled up 255 two weeks later. 

The rebuilt Georgia defense has been very solid. The Dawgs rank 23rd in the nation in total defense, and no team has scored more 20 points against them in regulation. This week, however, will be Georgia’s biggest test since the opener against Oklahoma State. The Vols’ passing attack has been putting up big numbers, but the running game continues to under-perform. Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe insists UT will run the ball more this week and plans to get tailback LaMarcus Coker, the Vols’ home run threat, more involved in the gameplan.

In its last three games against I-A competition, Georgia has allowed 140, 164 and 158 yards rushing. The Vols likely will need to get in the 160 to 180 range to win this game.

Georgia by 4