It’s finally here. The battle of the two remaining undefeateds in the Southeastern Conference. Georgia-Tennessee kicks off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
With both teams 8-0, the winner punches its ticket to the SEC championship. Georgia is an 8-point favorite to beat the Vols, per BetMGM. The over/under is set at 66.5.
Below we gathered some picks and predictions for the game from the national media.
National media’s picks and predictions…
11
Pete Fiutak - College Football News: Georgia wins, covers
Via Pete Fiutak, College Football News:
Y’all going to count out old Stetson Bennett again?
Georgia is No. 1 in the SEC in third-down conversions. It’s second in the nation in total offense behind that team on the other side of the field, and the environment will be next-level jacked like nothing this Tennessee team has dealt with – the LSU game wasn’t at night.
Hooker will be terrific, and the Vols will have their moments, but Georgia’s offense will be on the field way too much.
Prediction: Georgia, 38-27
10
Mark Nagi - Saturday Down South: Tennessee wins
Via Mark Nagi, SDS:
The folks in the big, shiny buildings in the Nevada desert have Georgia listed as more than a touchdown favorite, and rightfully so. The Bulldogs have won 26 of their past 27 games. They have 4-star and 5-star talent across the board.
But have you seen Tennessee’s offense? Hyatt is a cheat code. The Vols have spent all season defying expectations. I think they’ll do it again this weekend.
Prediction: Tennessee, 45-38
9
Bill Bender - Sporting News: Georgia wins, covers
Via Bill Bender, Sporting News:
Hooker will keep Tennessee in it – and Tillman and Hyatt each will score on a long TD pass. This is a Heisman showcase game. For comparison, LSU’s Joe Burrow had 742 passing yards with seven TDs and no interceptions against the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs in 2019. All Tennessee has to do is win here.
The Bulldogs, however, will prevent that from happening in their first home game since legendary coach Vince Dooley passed away. Georgia’s running game wears on Tennessee in the fourth quarter, however, and they stay one score ahead throughout the game. Georgia will be the unanimous No. 1 in all the polls after this one.
Prediction: Georgia, 42-32
8
Barrett Sallee - CBS Sports: Tennessee wins
Via Barrett Sallee, CBS Sports:
I’ll go out on that limb and take the Volunteers to win outright. Tennessee dictates style, and styles make fights, but how are the Volunteers going to dictate the style in this one? It’s easy to focus on the offense, which will have success on Saturday. But the stout Tennessee rushing defense (92.88 yards per game) will force some empty possessions from the Bulldogs early and force Bennett out of his comfort zone enough to get the job done.
Prediction: Tennessee wins
7
James Parks - College Football HQ: Georgia wins, does not cover
Via James Parks, College Football HQ:
Combining Georgia’s physicality at the line with its expert pass coverage and the ability to slow the game down offensively (UGA is 4th nationally on third down, Tennessee is 32nd) and maintain possession, the home team might just have the edge. Just.
Prediction: Georgia, 39-38
6
USA TODAY: 5 of the 6 pick Georgia to win
Via USA TODAY:
Scooby Axson: Georgia
Jace Evans: Georgia
Paul Myerberg: Georgia
Erick Smith: Georgia
Eddie Timanus: Georgia
Dan Wolken: Tennessee
5
Stewart Mandel - The Athletic: Tennessee wins
Via Stewart Mandel, The Athletic:
It could be that Georgia is talented and physical enough to bully Tennessee and disrupt that offense. But Josh Heupel’s team is no fluke. The Vols blew out LSU in Death Valley, put up 52 on Alabama and beat a top-20 Kentucky team, 44-6. Neither a hostile atmosphere nor the Dawgs’ athletes on defense figure to intimidate them.
Prediction: Tennessee 42-40
4
Brad Crawford - 247Sports: Georgia wins, does not cover
Via Brad Crawford, 247Sports:
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is nearly 25 years old. He’s not going to be rattled by anything that happens inside Sanford Stadium, especially on third down. I’m getting more than a touchdown worth of points to take the nation’s best offense? I’ll do that every time. Tennessee plus the points is my best bet, but I do think Georgia pulls it in a classic.
Prediction: Georgia, 35-31
3
Max Escarpio - Bleacher Report: Georgia wins, does not cover
Via Max Escarpio, Bleacher Report:
The major factor for this matchup is the Bulldogs defense giving Georgia the better overall talent edge, since Tennessee has had trouble against the pass this season. Georgia will take down the Volunteers to give them their first loss since last season.
Prediction: Georgia, 44-38
2
Max Chadwick - Pro Football Focus: Georgia wins, covers
Via Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus:
Tennessee was able to upset Alabama because the Crimson Tide’s usually elite secondary was exposed by quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, who combined for five touchdowns.
The Bulldogs will need to slow those two to avoid a similar fate on Saturday. Fortunately for them, Georgia has allowed the fourth-lowest EPA per pass among Power Five teams this season. Christopher Smith has the highest coverage grade among SEC safeties, while Javon Bullard is fourth for cornerbacks.
In what should ultimately be a shootout, Georgia makes enough stops to end Tennessee’s Cinderella run.
Prediction: Georgia, 37-28
1
Former Georgia players: All rolling with the Dawgs
21 former Georgia football players predict the score of Georgia vs. Tennessee:
Here’s just a few…
QB Aaron Murray: Georgia 38-31
LB Nakobe Dean: Georgia, 34-17
WR Tavarres King: Georgia, 34-31
RB Keith Marshall: Georgia, 48-37
CB Brandon Boykin: Georgia, 38-22
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