3 & OUT REPORT: UGA Vs. Tennessee
During game week the staff at Dawg News Daily previews the matchup between the Bulldogs and their opponent. We focus in on 3 key position matchups or players that we believe will be the difference makers in Saturday's game.
DAWG NEWS DAILY'S 3 & OUT REPORT:
On Saturday, Georgia faces its final regular season SEC opponent in the (5-4) Tennessee Volunteers. The Bulldogs enter the game a -20.5 road favorite and will also be up against 100,000+ Fans inside Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee is averaging a robust 41 PPG in their last five SEC . If the Dawgs are going to take care of business on the road, Several players will need to be major factors in Saturday's Contest:
1) Stetson Bennett The crowd will be LOUD on Saturday and teams have shown a good Script of plays in the opening possession against UGA's Defense. If Tennessee can punch Georgia's team in the mouth with a few deep balls and keep their offense on the field, the pressure will be squarely on Stetson Bennett and the UGA offense to answer. In the majority of Georgia's games this season, the game has been out of reach by the middle of the 3rd quarter. So this will be new to the offensive side of the ball. Tennessee's defense isn't exactly stellar, giving up 42 points to Kentucky last week, expect a big day from Stetson Bennett and quite possibly JT Daniels.
2) Jordan Davis Davis' name is continuing to be in the Heisman trophy discussion and Georgia will need him to play like it on Saturday. Tennessee is an explosive offense, they do throw the football down the field, but their identity is entrenched in running the football. They run the ball on 60+% of downs and they do it out of formations that stretch you out into five and six-man boxes. Davis typically only plays on Run Downs (1st/2nd) but may get "caught" on the field in some passing downs as Tennessee like to go up tempo. Georgia will often be outnumbered in the box on Saturday and they will need Jordan Davis to account for multiple blockers and still makes plays. Expect a quick rotation from Davis, Devonte Wyatt, Jalen Carter, and Travon Walker to keep everyone fresh.
3) Georgia Secondary The Tennessee Receivers like Cedric Tillman, Velus Jones, JR., and JaVonta Pavton have threatened teams dramatically on the outside. Kelee Ringo and Derion Kendrick have played very well this season however, This is their biggest test yet. This Tennessee offense takes shots and a lot of them. For Example, Tennessee's offense has scored Seven 70-yard TDs this season, by far the most in college football. Tennessee has given up 33 sacks this year, by far the most in the SEC. So the front Seven for Georgia expects to get pressure. The secondary will be fine but they will need to be ready at all times. DND's Score Prediction: There are disadvantages to teams running up-tempo, Yes you can score quick and put the defense in disadvantages with personnel. But what happens when Georgia's #1 ranked Defense gets Three 3 and outs on Saturday? You find yourself down real quick with a tired defense. Yes, I think Tennessee puts up a fight, but their defense may be the worst in the SEC. Look for Georgia to go to their formula of ground and pound with a deep shot sprinkled in. Georgia has been preparing for this up-tempo offense from Tennessee for a couple weeks. DC Dan Lanning and company will be prepared.
Georgia 37-17 (Line: Georgia -20.5) *PLAYER OF THE GAME: Stetson Bennett FORMER DAWGS SCORE PREDICTIONS:- *Former QB Aaron Murray: Georgia, 42-17
*Former WR Tavarres King: Georgia, 35-10
*Former LB Rennie Curran: Georgia, 45-7
*Former RB Richard Samuel: Georgia, 38-3