The abiding image of the Mark Richt Era of Georgia football is David Greene in shotgun formation, flipping smart, accurate, left-handed passes all over the place.

Tennessee fans can refine this image specifically to a Greene pass finding fullback Verron Haynes in an orange-and-white checkerboard end zone with 5 seconds on the clock.

Yep, as offensive masterminds go, Richt is Steve Spurrier for the new millennium.

Only a mighty upset by the Vols last year between the hedges prevented Richt from improving to 4-0 against Tennessee.

Saturday, Richt and the Bulldogs come to Neyland Stadium, once again a top-10-ranked nemesis that poses an interesting afternoon for John Chavis and his defensive troops.

But painting the recent history of this SEC border war as Tennessee being thwarted by Richt's offensive genius is only half the story.

Check that. It's not even the real story.

The Bulldogs have turned the tables on what used to be a UT-dominated rivalry by making big plays on defense and in the kicking game.

I don't know about you, but this stat surprised me: The Vols have outgained Georgia in total yardage in three of four outings against Richt.

The only exception was 2003, when the Bulldogs drubbed UT 41-14 in Neyland Stadium (and outgained the Vols 414 yards to 248). Even then, however, it was game-changing defensive plays that lowered the boom.

Has one play ever changed the complexion of a game more than the last snap of the first half that night two Octobers ago?

UT was trailing 13-7 as it drove toward the Georgia end zone late in the second quarter. The ball about a foot short of the goal line, the Vols called time out with 7 seconds on the clock. The intended result was a Jabari Davis dive into the end zone, giving Tennessee the lead and momentum at the break.

The handoff, however, never got to Davis. Georgia defensive back Sean Jones scooped up the fumble and raced 92 yards for a touchdown. Talk about shock and awe.

Then, in a span of less than 3 minutes in the third quarter, Georgia twice intercepted Casey Clausen and scored quick touchdowns. Rout on.

A year earlier, Georgia beat the Vols 18-13. Granted, Clausen didn't play because of an injury, but Georgia scored a safety on a blocked punt and later blocked a field-goal try.

Twice the Bulldogs stopped UT on fourth down, then drove for a field goal and a touchdown.

Go back to 2001, Richt's first visit to Knoxville. The play everybody recalls is Greene's TD pass in the final seconds. But without Damien Gary's 72-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first half, the Bulldogs aren't within striking distance to win 26-24.

Furthermore, if Jonathan Kilgo punts hadn't twice pinned the Vols at their 1-yard line in the second half, perhaps Tennessee wins handily.

The point being, Tennessee fans shouldn't make too much of the fact that Greene -- Richt's on-the-field facilitator -- has finally graduated.

They should instead be sizing up Georgia's defense and kicking game. Both of which, it turns out, appear to be in excellent health.

As well as Tennessee's defense has played through four games this season, Georgia's has matched the Vols stop for stop, take-away for take-away. Never mind that one-man-destruction crew David Pollack has departed to the NFL.

The Vols rank 16th nationally in total defense; Georgia ranks 11th.

The Vols rank 16th in scoring defense; Georgia ranks 11th.

The Vols rank 23rd in pass-efficiency defense; Georgia ranks 11th.

In rushing defense, UT has an edge, ranking fourth to Georgia's 15th.

But in turnover margin, where Tennessee ranks 57th, Georgia ranks No. 3. The Bulldogs have intercepted eight passes and recovered six fumbles.

When Georgia has the football Saturday, listen for Richt's bark. But when the Vols are trying to score, beware the Bulldog defense's bite.