Week 3 of SEC action features the #14 Tennessee Volunteers (2-0, 2-0 SEC) on the road at #3 Georgia Bulldogs (2-0, 2-0 SEC) in a Top 25 rivalry matchup. This game marks the 50th contest between the two schools, with the Bulldogs owning a slight 24-23-2 series advantage.
The kickoff for the conference contest is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. Georgia is a 12.5-point favorite in the SEC showdown.
What to Know – Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee has won eight games in-a-row dating back to last season. The Vols look to build on that momentum and put themselves back into the national spotlight. The Volunteers aim to move to 3-0 for the first time since their 2016 campaign, and the team hasn’t started the SEC slate 3-0 since their undefeated season in 1998.
Jarrett Guarantano has looked sharp to start the season after throwing eight interceptions in 2019 and losing his job at times. The senior is 33-for-54 for 449 yards and two touchdowns in 2020 but more importantly has not thrown an interception. Guarantano has also added three rushing scores.
Senior Ty Chandler (32 carries, 176 yards, one touchdown) and sophomore Eric Gray (28 carries, 145 yards, two touchdowns) showcase a two-headed monster out of the backfield for Tennessee, while senior wide receiver Josh Palmer (10 catches, 156 yards, one touchdown) is Guarantano’s primary target in the passing game.
The Volunteer defense has allowed 19.5 points and 361.5 total yards of offense through their first two games of the season, but against inferior offensive opponents. Tennessee surrendered 526 total yards of offense to the Bulldogs last season.
What to Know – Georgia Bulldogs
Another year and another Georgia team with a Top 5 ranking. After a rocky first half in the opener against Arkansas, the Bulldogs have looked lights out over the last six quarters. UGA will be looking to beat the Volunteers for the fourth-consecutive season.
Stetson Bennett IV took over the quarterbacking duties in the second half of Georgia’s opener against the Razorbacks and hasn’t looked back. The junior has completed 37-for-57 passes for 451 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Sophomore running back Zamir White (32 carries, 159 yards, three touchdowns) paces a Georgia offense that averages 161.5 yards per game on the ground. Look for fellow sophomore Kearis Jackson (15 receptions, 209 yards) to be Bennett’s go-to guy when the Bulldogs drop back to pass.
The Bulldogs shine on the other side of the ball, with one of the nation’s best defensive units. Georgia is allowing just 8.0 points per game and holding opponents to only 248.0 yards of total offense.
The Pick is In
Georgia has shown the ability to limit a team’s rushing attack, which has been Tennessee’s offensive approach early on this season. Stacking the box and forcing Guarantano to throw will allow more opportunities to create turnovers. The Bulldogs will be able to control the clock and pound the ball against the Vols’ defensive line. Georgia by a pair of touchdowns in this one.
