Some final thoughts heading into Tennessee’s game with Georgia today.

Raynoch Thompson said it best in 1998: "The way everyone was talking about them, you’d think they had an "S’’ on their chests. All I saw was a "G’’ on their helmets.

This Georgia team is talented, no doubt, and better coached than the Jim Donnan teams Thompson spoke of.

However, this is the same Georgia team that struggled to stop Georgia Southern and pulled out close games with Marshall and South Carolina earlier this season.

A sound game plan, and some good execution, can keep Tennessee in the football game Saturday.

That’s the trick, of course, when you’re dealing with two true freshman quarterbacks and a secondary replacing five of its top six players from a year ago.

The X-factor to me is special teams. Field position means a lot in games where the teams’ talent levels are relatively equal (even if their experience levels are not).

To this point, Tennessee’s special teams have been outplayed in each game. If the Vols can make something — anything — happen in this area, they have a chance.

Don’t count on it though. Over the past few years, it has been Georgia making the big special teams plays against the Vols, with big punt returns, a blocked punt and a blocked field goal.

The Problem

As if Georgia defensive end David Pollack didn’t pose a big enough problem, now there’s talk of UT right tackle Arron Sears being limited against the Bulldogs with the foot and ankle injury he suffered last week.

Albert Toeaina looks to get his first start in place of Sears, and although he’s 350 pounds of meanness, he’s also slow coming out of his set on the snap, and that’s bad news against a speed rush end like Pollack. The Vols will likely adjust by keeping the tight end on Toeaina’s side of the ball and working some combination blocks with fullback Cory Anderson.

Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of Victor McClure. It will be interesting to see how well McClure kept himself conditioned during his suspension. When he’s 100 percent, the 300-pound McClure is the best blocking tight end in the SEC.

And, don’t underestimate Anderson’s role this week. At 260-pounds, Anderson can bring it, and chances are the Vols will run at Pollack a lot to keep him off balance. On play-action, Anderson is proving to be a capable receiving threat.

The Answer

One of two things must happen for Tennessee’s offense to be successful. One, the Vols may try to show they can really run the ball. If ever there was a time for Cedric Houston to step up, it’s this week. Some tough running inside would make a huge difference and keep Georgia’s pass rush from teeing off. (An interesting note: freshman quarterback Erik Ainge has yet to be sacked).

The other thing that would make a huge difference would be if the Vols hit some deep passes over the middle. Chris Hannon, C.J. Fayton and Robert Meachem are capable of going deep, and Jayson Swain and Bret Smith give you something after the catch on the under routes. Some big gains would open up the field and move Georgia’s talented safeties back. That would increase the QBs completion percentage.

Don’t count out freshman quarterback Brent Schaeffer, either, particularly if the Vols get the run game going. Schaeffer’s running ability can keep defenses honest. If you don’t play assignment football against him — hold the gaps, and keep contain — he can change the face of the game quickly.

If the conventional offensive approach doesn’t work with Ainge, it would be good to see Schaeffer turned loose.

Two To Watch

Two defenders to keep an eye on are Corey Campbell and Tony McDaniel. Both are sophomores with All-SEC type of talent, but neither has played up to their potential. If either or both get hot, it will give the Tennessee a much-needed boost.

The Prognosis

It would appear Georgia is too talented and too experienced to be overcome, and that 17-game home win streak is not a coincidence. Defensive coordinator John Chavis usually has a pretty good plan for David Greene — he has four TD passes and three interceptions in three years — but the secondary must execute. The Vols should play the Bulldogs close, but unless they get some breaks and hold their own on special teams, it likely won’t be enough.

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