UT run defense vs. UGA RB Todd Gurley
Tennessee ranks 11th in the SEC, allowing 164.2 rushing yards per game and 13th in the league in yards allowed per carry (4.6). Georgia's running game, spearheaded by Gurley's SEC-best 101.5 rushing yards per game, eats up an average of 242.5 per game. Gurley, a star newcomer in the league, has scored six of UGA's 14 touchdowns on the ground.
UT linebackers vs. UGA's play-action offense
Few are better than Georgia junior quarterback Aaron Murray in selling the play-action pass. His talents combined with the Bulldogs' dynamic ground game make the UGA offense a puzzle for opponents. UT's linebacking corps has had its share of difficulties covering the middle of the field since the season opener. Murray will look to keep the Vols guessing.
Stock Up
UGA OLB Jarvis Jones: Despite missing Georgia's 56-20 rout of Florida Atlantic, Jones ranks third in the SEC with 4.5 sacks and second in tackles for loss with 7.5. In a dominant performance at Missouri Sept. 8, the 6-foot-3, 241-pound junior posted nine tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, five quarterback pressures and his first career interception. Jones has 17.5 sacks in his last 17 games.
UT WR Justin Hunter: Is there a better wide receiver in the country? Most NFL scouts say no. Returning like gangbusters from last season's torn ACL, Hunter ranks first in the SEC in receptions (30), receptions per game (7.5) and receiving touchdowns (4), and ranks second in receiving yards (410) and yards per game (102.5). As Tyler Bray's favorite target, the All-American candidate will be eyed all day by the UGA defense.
Stock Down
Tennessee pass rush: A year ago, the Vols couldn't create turnovers. This year, they can't get to the quarterback. Averaging merely 1.25 sacks per game, UT ranks 94th nationally through four games. Now consider the fact that three of the Vols' five sacks this season came against FCS member Georgia State. Thus, first-year defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri's defensive has produced two sacks in three games against FBS competition.
UGA and the takeaway: The Bulldogs allow just 16.5 points per game, but do so with a stout defense, not through forcing turnovers. Georgia has intercepted two passes and recovered one fumble after four games.
Tweets of the Week
official account of UGA football
#DawgNation it's time to Red Out Sanford Stadium this Saturday. Get loud and bring your Red! Go Dawgs!ESPN analyst Lou Holtz
Tyler Bray has excelled throwing downfield this season. On throws of 10 yards or longer, Bray has 8 TDs and just 1 INT in 67 attemptsUT LB Curt Maggitt
The fools I'm around everyday, make this game that much more enjoyable! I love my team and wouldn't trade em for nan other!#VFLAtlanta Journal Constitution UGA coverage
#UGA's radio booth
Prediction
Georgia 34, Tennessee 17
UGA's play-action gives UT a conniption. Dawgs jump out early, frustrate Vols with run-pass attack. Recent history has proven this UT offense struggles when pressed.
Rocky Top League opening night
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 17
jobrando#216494 writes:
Not much point in even showing up
CCLC writes:
Football on a Saturday in the Classic City is always worth showing up for.
just sayin'
dvols writes:
this quinn guy is good....
there is hope
VolGrad writes:
Showing up IS the point.
Go Vols! Beat those dawgs!!!
VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:
Bumstead, Why don't you get a new signature
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
I'm curious. Why does the writer choose to qualify UT's sack numbers based on the competition, but not do the same for any of Georgia's numbers? For example, Vandy's #97th, Buffalo's 111th, and Fla Atlantic's #120th-ranked rushing defenses. Is there no chance that UGA's rushing stats have been helped by that?
Seriously, if you're going to qualify one teams' stats, shouldn't you do the same for the other?
WhitePineVol77 writes:
Go VOLS...I fear we are gonna need a new coach, and soon. I hope he can prove me wrong!
Go beat Ga, then talk to me.
Bark_at_the_Moon writes:
I agree. This is not a good matchup for Tennessee and the game is on the road. I'd say this could get very ugly - even worse than 34-17.
CCLC writes:
Any suggestions?
10ACfan100 writes:
All I ask for is that we play hard through 4 quarters. No giving up.
Sir_Spanky writes:
It's not like we don't have talent at LB. This'll be kinda like a spotlight put on brother Sal's coaching/communication skills.
TheVolSnake writes:
I agree 10SE, everyone wants to talk about the Dawgs being 4-0 but want to forget who they have played so far.
I also like you posted in another post agree the Gators defense so far has been much better than the Dawgs, however the Dawgs get 2 more of their starters back from suspension (they maybe rusty).
We get to play a lot with our Big D line this game will be the first time this season where they will be on the field most of the time. I think Big Dan plugs the middle therefore stopping the Dawgs running game. As most know the Dawgs like to run straight at you not much for going to the edge. We really need our D to play big time this game and completely shut down the run, therefore stopping or limiting the play action.
The Vols can and will win this game
Go Vols
AllVol1 writes:
Qualified numbers or not, the numbers still do not bode well for the Vols. According to the stats, Georgia is and should be heavily favored to win this game at home.
And still upsets happen every week. Upsets happen when underdog teams show up and play their best, every down, for four quarters, and put themselves in position for the "breaks to go their way".
I want to see this team do that. If the Vols can play hard for sixty minutes and get some breaks to go their way, then an upset is possible.
Come on Vols! Take care of the things that you can control--your focus and your effort. Win or lose, I support that as a true fan of the Big Orange. Go Vols!
SevenT writes:
Long Term the best thing for Tennessee is to lose big in the next 4 games perhaps beat Vandy and Kentucky then dump the loser Dooley and hire a real coach. Any real Vol fan would agree
TommyJack writes:
a real possiblilty
Ironcity writes:
Real Vol fan doesn't root for their team to lose no matter what they think of the coach. Loser fans doe that.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Showing up is most important. Why do you show up for work. Right, MONEY
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