The matchup of the year takes place this weekend when the #3 Georgia Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC) host the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (8-0, 4-0 SEC) in a conference battle that will most likely determine the East division crown. Georgia has won the last five matchups and leads the all-time series 26-23-2.
Saturday’s conference showdown kicks off at 3:30 p.m. EST inside Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs are an eight-point favorite, and the over/under total is 66.5 points.
What to Know – #1 Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee comes into the weekend’s matchup as the top team in the first College Football Playoff rankings that was released on Tuesday. The Volunteers have risen to the top spot with five wins over ranked teams this season.
Hendon Hooker has emerged as the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after spectacular play under center through the first two months of the season. Hooker has thrown for 2,338 yards and rushed for 338, tallying 21 passing and four rushing touchdowns. The senior quarterback has thrown just one interception and is completing 71% of his passes.
The rushing duties are split between Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small, both averaging over 4.0 yards per carry. Wright is the leading ball carrier, totaling 478 yards and five touchdowns on 92 carries. Small is just behind him with 475 yards and eight scores on 110 touches.
Jalin Hyatt is averaging 20.2 yards per catch and has already eclipsed 907 receiving yards this season. Fourteen of Hyatt’s 45 receptions have gone for touchdowns. USC transfer Bru McCoy is second on the team with 30 receptions for 451 yards.
What to Know – #3 Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are fresh off another victory over their rival, the Florida Gators, and look to make it two in a row against rival opponents. Georgia is the defending National Champion but was pegged #3 in the first CFP poll, something the Bulldogs will surely use for motivation during the week.
Stetson Bennett didn’t have his best stuff in last week’s win over the Gators, but the senior continues to guide an undefeated squad. Bennett has nine touchdowns to three interceptions this year, passing for 2,349 yards.
The Georgia rushing attack averages 5.7 yards per carry as a team, and four rushers have over 40 carries already in 2022. Daijun Edwards and Kenny McIntosh do the bulk of the rushing, combining for 140 carries, 772 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
Tight end Brock Bowers hasn’t faced a sophomore slump after earning Freshman All-American honors last season. Bowers leads the Bulldogs in receiving yards (547) and touchdowns (3) through eight contests. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey has hauled in 33 passes for 413 yards and a pair of scores.
The Pick is In
Saturday pits the up-tempo Tennessee offense against the Bulldogs’ top-ranked defense. The old saying is defense wins championships, and Georgia’s offense has enough firepower to give the Vols’ defense fits.
The Pick: #3 Georgia Bulldogs -8
