The SEC on CBS Recreation of the Week will have the undivided consideration of university football followers all over the country when No. 3 Georgia hosts No. 1 Tennessee on Saturday in a battle of two SEC East foes looking to remain undefeated on the period. Not only does this huge showdown have divisional implications within just the toughest convention in the place, but there are obvious Higher education Football Playoff implications as properly primarily based on the to start with launch of the rankings before this 7 days.
The Bulldogs held off rival Florida past weekend 42-20, which integrated a fourth-quarter surge soon after the Gators stormed again in the 3rd quarter. Tight finish Brock Bowers ongoing his stellar period, catching five passes for 154 yards and a landing. Meanwhile, the Volunteers dispatched of Kentucky 44-6 previous Saturday on Rocky Major in a match that was under no circumstances in question. Quarterback Hendon Hooker, one of the major candidates for the Heisman Trophy, threw for 245 yards, handed for 3 touchdowns and scored one on the floor.
So what will occur on Saturday in Athens, Georgia, as these two SEC titans clash? Let’s split down the sport and make a decide.
Georgia vs. Tennessee: Have to have to know
What does Nolan Smith’s decline mean?: Georgia been given awful information this 7 days when it was declared that star linebacker Nolan Smith’s time is more than following he endured a pectoral harm in the acquire over Florida. The senior experienced seven tackles for decline and a few sacks in eight video games this year prior to the injuries. The timing couldn’t be even worse for the Bulldogs.
The Volunteers offense isn’t really just a single of the most dynamic units in the place, but it operates at warp pace. The veteran presence that Smith introduced to the defense — including his familiarity with the defensive plan — is irreplaceable. Coach Kirby Wise tackled possible replacements on Monday.
“Perfectly, Robert [Beal] played,” he explained in his press convention. “He performed a tiny additional quantity of snaps as soon as Nolan was wounded. Chaz [Chambliss] did a awesome position coming in. It was good to get him again. Didn’t know that he would have to play that significantly in that role. His hamstring has nonetheless been bothering him. It bothered him a minimal little bit the other night time right after the activity. So it can be one of individuals that we are likely to see how he does today and moves about. Wanting to get Marvin [Jones], all these fellas heading. So nobody truly performed additional simply because it was just Chaz and Robert, actually.”
Tennessee’s sneaky strength: The Volunteers rank 2nd in the SEC in rushing protection (92.88 yards per sport) and yards for every enjoy (2.90), which probably arrives as a shock to people today who have not sat down and researched the Vols. They are tied for the SEC lead in fewest rushing performs of 20 or additional yards authorized (3), and the reality that they do not give up explosive plays on the floor is a large asset against the Bulldogs.
Ga likes to create the operate and function off of participate in motion. That is been its identification all over Smart’s tenure there, and is even now true even though Bennett has taken over additional command of the offense this year. If Tennessee can have the exact variety of achievement vs. Kenny McIntosh, Daijun Edwards, Branson Robinson and the rest of the proficient Bulldogs jogging back again space, it’s going to have a opportunity to spring the upset.
Kinds make fights: If Tennessee is permitted to participate in its brand name of football, it truly is going to beat any opponent that it performs conserve for, maybe, a hypothetical matchup with Ohio Point out. Intelligent is familiar with just how dangerous Josh Heupel’s offense can be.
“They go seriously rapid,” Clever said. “They get a large amount of at-bats in terms of possessions, and they do start off rapid. I think our team has completed a definitely excellent work of escalating and getting improved during this year. And each individual week, which includes the off-7 days, it is, like, I see marked improvement. I really want to go on to do that. We are trending in the right route in conditions of getting improved equally offensively and defensively.”
Realizing that, it is on Bennett to make sure that this recreation will not transform into a track meet up with. That usually means staying on timetable, staying away from damaging plays, receiving to third-and-shorter circumstances and changing crimson-zone options into touchdowns. Frequently talking, time of possession just isn’t as important in this day and age as it employed to be in advance of the rise of offensive creative imagination. It issues in this just one, even though. Georgia has to keep Hooker and the rest of the Vols offense on the sideline and not squander prospects.
How to watch Ga vs. Tennessee live
Day: Saturday, Nov. 5 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Sanford Stadium — Athens, Ga
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Athletics App (Free)
Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction, picks
Showcased Activity | Ga Bulldogs vs. Tennessee Volunteers
I’ll go out on a limb and just take Tennessee to win straight up. You should not get me improper, I will get those people factors, also, but this Tennessee offense is much too superior to be stopped even by a protection as talented and deep as Georgia’s. The Vols will operate at warp pace, expose Smith’s absence though making use of Hooker and running backs Jabari Modest and Jaylen Wright on the floor to established up the chunk plays around the leading. Bennett will not be equipped to preserve up and the Vols will notch their most important win in decades. Prediction: Tennessee +8.5
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