Georgia Bulldogs
ATHENS, Ga. - Tennessee won't be the only team at Sanford Stadium with something to prove Saturday.
The Vols hope to prove that - record and eyewitness accounts to the contrary - they aren't the worst team in the SEC East. Georgia hopes to prove that - despite what happened against Alabama - it's a national championship contender.
The Alabama defeat is relevant for another reason. It's reminiscent of what happened to the Bulldogs in their last two games against UT.
In each of the last three seasons, Georgia has played three of the worst halves of football in the SEC. UT contributed to two of those halves.
Two years ago, Georgia's second-half collapse led to a 51-33 loss to UT, which actually trailed at halftime. Last year, Georgia didn't wait for the second half to go belly-up. The Vols jumped out to a 28-0 first-half lead en route to a 35-14 victory.
So you can understand why the Bulldogs might not be dwelling on UT's 2-3 record or its death-door offense. Never mind that they're a two-touchdown favorite. Last year's nightmare is more real than a betting line to the Bulldogs.
"We couldn't get anything going in that game," Georgia senior linebacker Dannell Ellerbe said. "It seemed like everything was happening in their favor."
It happened fast. UT set the tone for the game by driving 81 yards for a touchdown on its first possession.
"I guess you could say they shocked us," Georgia senior fullback Brannan Southerland said. "And we did not respond real well. But we definitely learned from that game."
Apparently, the lesson didn't carry over to this season. Ten days ago, the Bulldogs experienced another first-half shocker against Alabama. And their furious second-half comeback couldn't overcome a 31-0 deficit.
"We just came out flat," Ellerbe said. "We harp on coming out fast and playing hard for 60 minutes. But it's a different thing doing it than saying it."
The Alabama loss was particularly painful for Ellerbe, who went out early with a knee injury. Although he was limited in practice Monday, he's still hopeful of playing Saturday.
Part of his motivation comes from the last two losses to UT.
"I don't want to go out like that," he said.
Sophomore linebacker Rennie Curran has fonder memories of the last UT game. With the outcome virtually decided, Curran got extensive playing time in the one-sided loss.
"I was definitely excited to be playing," he said. "I wasn't even looking at the scoreboard. I was just trying to make plays. It was my chance to take the next step."
He made enough plays to win a starting job. Now, he's one of the defensive leaders on a team that hopes to bounce back from a loss to Alabama and change the course of the UT series as well.
"There's definitely no way we will overlook Tennessee," Curran said. "We know how they feel about our program. There's no question they don't like us. They're gonna play their A game.
"Their record is the last thing we're going to look at. They've outscored us by a large margin, so we have no reason to overlook them.
"We haven't proved anything to them."
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 57
MANVOL writes:
1st
redneckerson writes:
well, won't your mommy be proud - unless she notices you were up past your bed time.
4114 writes:
What does Georgia have to worry about? Let's see the Vols can run the ball. No,that's Georgia. The Vols can pass the ball. No,that's Georgia again. Oh wait the Vols do have the starting punter back. Let's keep this going CPF. We will strike fear in somebody before the season is over.
alavol writes:
WHAT is the meaning of 1st? hope we can bring it to Ga this week and Alabama the week after. Leave Crompton and Foster at home! And for that matter, Colquitt too!
VOLINCALI writes:
Hey Moreno, ask Bo about '85.
Go Big Orange.
Volomatic writes:
Maybe if colquitt shanks one and knocks Stafford out we might be able... Nah the still have Moreno
gnm53108 writes:
rodney...With ya.Between the koolaid I have to drink to get over some saturdays and the amount I'm havin to drink to think this offense will turn around is shortin the milage I've got left on the ole liver.
Go VOLS!
utclassof1992 writes:
Between UT and the economy, Ive had to switch from Pinch to Johnny Walker.
gnm53108 writes:
DCSOvol...Try JIM BEAM,But make sure,D@mn sure it's the 7 year.
It's not bad.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Yes, and who was coaching the last two years we beat Georgia? PHil let it go and gun 'em down the middle with the gunslinger's passes. That will just open up the runs.
gnm53108 writes:
WeLove...Fulmer was the head coach.Chavis was the one who seemed to really have Richt figured out.
Now if we can stop shooting ourselves with this Offense and actually score a few,we have a chance to win this d@mn game.
Beat Georgia
Go VOLS!
WaltGoVols writes:
Our A game sucks.
Walt
UT '81
Vol_N_Texas writes:
13th!!!! WOOOO HOOOOOO. BHFD!
Go Vols
MustangPackage101 writes:
WeLove- are you phil fulmer? you constantly stick up for him for some reason.. and I just can't put my finger on it. I know it wouldn't be for his record against sec teams through the last 28 games(14-14), I know it wouldn't be for his rack full of National Championship trophies(1), I know It wouldn't be for all those SEC titles (2). Maybe it's those 3 SEC championship appearances in 01, 04, and 07 in which we are 0-3 in. That must be it... Or could it be his 0-4 record against Urban Meyer? If you could let me know that would be helpful...
1982_35_28 writes:
This is all coach speak garbage. You know the Georgia players are laughing it up when they study the game film. Who wouldn't?
yeavols#228407 writes:
I think I will watch this game locked up in my house. I don't want to be humiliated any where else. Oh this is going to be ugly....but, I won't say I told you so..
lomas98 writes:
When will the line be written this week that Fulmer and the Vols play their best with their back against the wall? I think that has been said twice already this season. I'm glad they switched to Stephens because it appears he can make the simple plays that Crompton can't, but I don't think he can lead us to beat GA. I just don't understand how the QB situation has come to be this bad. The offense has degressed since UCLA, they at least had some decent plays drawn up but Crompton just couldn't execute them. We haven't thrown any WR screens to Lucas Taylor since the UAB game and Hardesty and Creer can't get enough touches, I thought this offense was about getting it into the hands of the playmakers.
iowavol writes:
I hope Georgia is laughing it up - maybe we will have a chance. I know the defense will have a chance, especially if we can get some first downs. I hope like heck we are in practice doing nothing but pass and catching the friggin ball and holding on to it during tackle drills. Don't turn it over, move the chains, win the game.
I agree with you Vols74...the article is garbage just like the author. Adams is a POS.
Over/under this saturday - 45.
Madkels writes:
Lay a grand on the dawgs in this one.
TommyJack writes:
Boycott grapes.
Striker writes:
Boycott Dr. Pepper, Wheat Bread, Free Weights, and Halloween Decorations.
beavbullvol writes:
Here's your Doppler Radar forecast for hell this Saturday...it looks like it'll be unusually hot with a 0% chance of frozen precipitation.
In other words, we don't have a snowflakes' chance in hell between the hedges. This will be very painful to watch.
GA-24
TN-3
shipperman#280095 writes:
This is actually a well written and true article. John Adams may not be the favorite of many, but this story is well written and I will support the above sponsers so your boycott won't hurt them.
beavbullvol writes:
Seriously, watching this game will be like watching female mud wrestling at a retirement home. You know watching will turn your stomach, but it's just such a horrific site you can't look away!!
xvolx writes:
georgia afraid of big bad vols. they must have tenn. mixed up with vandy.
tennisvol writes:
The last two times TN defeated GA ole Cut was the offensive coordinator and you can bet they are glad to see him not calling the plays. He bailed his friend Phil out during the last two years, but it's up to Clawson and Phil now. We'll see Saturday.
redneckerson writes:
Thanks for the list - I'll be sure to spport them as well. I don't really like Adams' message but that doesn't change the fact that he's just telling it like it is.
utvolz#637682 writes:
I certainly hope I'm wrong, but this could get very ugly. The dawgs are chomping at the bit to put a beat down on us! Come on Nick, get the offense in sync and surprise some folks!
ect1983 writes:
ur post....Old, lame, pathetic,takes up space.....and you read everyone of his columns; the KNS gets more dough everytime u post. John Adams....keep on writing. And everyone continue to support the fine sponsors above
ect1983 writes:
PS....truth hurts
Go4Two writes:
Volnflorida
"The worst Tennessee team ever" you must be new to the vol family.
HotlantaVol writes:
It's a bad week to have to live in Georgia, but not as bad as next week after they spread Alpo on us, chew us up and wash us down with toilet water.
Go Vols!! Beat Miss. State!!
SKO_Vol82 writes:
What's this? An article w/o any idiotic quotes from Fulmer? Doesn't he need to tell someone he needs to watch the film? Doesn't he need to tell us that he doesn't have any time to play his two best running backs, Creer and Hardesty? Doesn't he need to tell us that the defense needs to stop them so the offense can get on the field? I'm not sure I can get excited about this game w/o some pearls of wisdom from CPF. Hey coach, give us some hope, would ya? Tell us something dumb or obvious so we can go into the game completely prepared! Prepared to get out @$$ whipped, that is!
HEY HAMILTON, FIRE THIS CLOWN ALREADY!!!
Lofton4Three writes:
Can almost bet you're one of the fece morsels that call into Vol Calls just to say "Go Vols."
pdhuff#552644 writes:
We could do what Bama did.
All we need is their O and D lines.
And their coach.
Like others, I'm afeered the Ga beater resides at Dook.
We can hope....
Txvol57 writes:
This is going to be ugly
TheVolMan writes:
Vols0074, thanks for pointing out the sponsors which I will thank and support. Glad you are reading JA's articles. Too bad your reading comprehension suffers as you would quickly realize today's article was quite mild. But boycott-Weenies don't think things through to that point. Easier to react and post your list of the excellent KNS sponsors.
agentorange writes:
I assume this is a typical John Adams article so I didn't read it as usual. Here the cliffnote version of everything Adams has written: "blah blah blah. i hate fulmer. fire everybody. i'm impotent and put my mush in t-girls at the t-bar under vic bills."
shipperman#280095 writes:
Is it remotely possible that Phil has been eating vienna sausages, canned peaches, and chocolate milk from Walmart? That could explain some of the poor play calling
VolGraduate writes:
this is a decent article even though i'm not too fond of his writing stle (aka ending an article with no actual ending) or his motives.
also some of these posts are the funniest in months. "boycott...halloween decorations" is classic
yeavols#228407 writes:
I agree..so ugly it will make a train take a dirt road.
VolGraduate writes:
i'm done reading these posts for today. i came in with a bag full of mcdonalds and now i'm giggling like a school girl...i'm sure my co workers think i'm stoned
GahLee writes:
Georgia 28 Tennessee 9. The defense will play their hearts out once again but poor execution on offense and special teams will give Georgia great field position all game. It doesn't matter who our QB is, there in no flow to this years team on the offensive side of the ball. 4-8 here we come.
fedupvol writes:
Bench Foster, start Hardesty and play Creer.....24 -17 Dawgs
Play Foster, give Hardesty 3-4 carries, save Creer....45-10 UGA...it will get ugly....
murrayvol writes:
Fulmer and the Vols play best with their backs to the wall.
murrayvol writes:
I don't know mike. The potential is certainly there but I'll confess it's still early. Stay tuned.
TheAntiSaban writes:
Hey Joe, say it ain't so! We're puttin' on our heels and takin' off the gloves (wink,wink). We'll show 'em, you betcha!
jasonn1970 writes:
An interesting game this week. Georgia had their confidence shattered against 'Bama. On the other hand, they have been pointing to this game all off-season. And there's no way they won't be ready for the Vols this time.
Tennessee 13
Georgia 23
Tenn_Dawg writes:
Yeah, I thought Georgia would be ready for UT last year too until they ran into that buzz saw. Same issues as last year young and green offensive line. Can UT exploit it again? I glad to see Cutt is gone and has Duke being respectable. Hopefully the Vols will get Georgia's best! If not it will be another long off-season in the Nooga.
VolGraduate writes:
Duke was really respectable laying that goose egg last week
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