3 & OUT REPORT: TENNESSEE WEEK
During game week the staff at Dawg News Daily previews the matchup between the Bulldogs and their opponent. We focus in on 3 key positions or players that will be the difference makers in Saturdays game..
The Bulldogs and the Volunteers are both coming off bye weeks, The Volunteers limp into this game with a 1-3 record after taking a rough loss to Florida 34-3 in the Swamp. The Bulldogs come off a tough victory over Notre Dame that helped open the Bulldogs eyes a little after playing lesser opponents to start the year. Last year, The Volunteers played the Bulldogs tough only being down 12 with 4 minutes to go in the 4th... UGA eventually poured it on and came away with a 38-12 victory. Georgia was very sluggish in the opening against Tennessee last year and also last week against Notre Dame. The Dawgs will look to get a better start on the road this week as they will try to put away the Vols early and try to send the fans to the exits early.
DAWG NEWS DAILY'S 3 & OUT REPORT:
1) Offensive Line:
Georgia has the most talented offensive line in the country. Notice I didn't say the best. It takes time for groups to gel together and with the injuries to Isaiah Wilson and Solomon Kindley has maybe hindered this group to meeting its high expectations. Wilson looks to be back for this week while Kindley looks to be questionable at best. Georgia will face 8 and 9 in -the-box defenses the rest of the season and the Dawgs will need to run the ball on obvious run downs. Also as we noted in previous weeks, UGA showed some weaknesses against twists and stunts up front during pass downs. Tennessee will need to keep Fromm clean against the Vols. Center Trey Hill will face an old high school rival Aubrey Solomon in the trenches. And remember Cade Mays is coming back home to Knoxville for the first time and will look to show out! Georgia went uptempo against Notre Dame and the offensive line started to impose its will on the Irish line. Unsure of the reasoning, But it seemed UGA took their foot of the pedal and helped the defense get their breath back. Expect to see Georgia to run the ball but with Tennessee's youth in the defensive backfield, Jake Fromm will look to attack downfield.
2) Defensive Backs:
Depth in the defensive backfield showed its benefits against Notre Dame in week 4. Georgia beat the #7 team in the nation without their top 2 cornerbacks. Are there many other teams that could say this? Divaad Wilson, Tyrique Mcgee, and DJ Daniel were able to step up and limit the Irish's downfield passing attack. Stokes looks to be back at practice this week but Tyson Campbell is still dinged up and may miss this weeks game. Tennessee Wide Receiver Jauan Jennings (The Hunter Renfroe of the SEC) is the Vols leading receiver with already 20 catches on the season with 4 touchdowns. Look for UGA to key in on Jennings with limit the potential deep ball. The Vols do have a nice group of tight ends led by Dominick Wood-Anderson that will look at the Notre Dame film and salivate over the Cole Kmet highlights. Kirby and company will need to tighten up their coverage in the short game. Could Chaney finally look to the tight ends this Saturday after Dawgnation starved for their targets the last 3 seasons?
3) Wide Receivers:
Georgia has still been pretty vanilla in their passing game ,especially when it comes to attacking defenses downfield. Kirby mentioned he would like to open the offense more in last week's Monday press conference. The Bulldogs haven't shown any post routes down field and surprisingly haven't thrown the slant out of RPO formations when facing man-to-man on the outside. Tennessee has 6 interceptions on the season and their back field plays the ball well. Look for UGA to continue their uptempo style of play in this game and wear down the Volunteers. Quick outs to Cager, Blaylock, and Simmons will help open up the defense and give looks to Pickens and Robertson down field!