After winning the Mississippi state championship in convincing fashion over the last two weeks with a suffocating defense, we now find ourselves heading back up to Rocky Top for the annual grudge match with the Volunteers. The SEC created this rivalry when the 1992 expansion occurred and the conference split into divisional play. While, at the beginning, it was very one-sided for the team in the hated “road crew” orange, it has become a big game on both sides of the Peach State’s northern border. The outcome of this game really comes down to the irresistable force of Tennessee’s passing game against the immovable object of Georgia’s pass defense. If Tennessee can achieve any degree of balance on offense, they should be positioned to win. If Georgia can shut down the Tennessee running game and keep the safeties back, the Dawgs will break a two-game losing streak in Neyland Stadium.
When Tennessee Has the Ball
The Vol offense will provide the most significant test to the Georgia secondary and linebackers since Kellen Moore & Boise State. Tyler Bray is a dangerous quarterback who has a lot of talent and is a classic dropback passer. We made Erik Ainge and Johnathan Crompton look like Peyton Manning in our last two trips to Knoxville. To win tomorrow night, Bray cannot have a similar performance. We must be able to get pressure from the front 4 or 5 without committing to all-out blitzing. The loss of Cornelius Washington to a two-game suspension will seriously challenge that strategy.
When Georgia Has the Ball
The Georgia running game is key to our performance tomorrow. If we can grind out first downs with the running and short passing game in the no huddle, we should be able to wear down a Tennessee defense that is not as talented as past defensive units. Therefore, we’re going to need a full four quarters from freshman phenom, Isaiah Crowell. We can only hope his Neyland debut is like another freshman’s:
The Tennessee game last year really was Aaron Murray’s coming out party as the leader of the Georgia offense. If he has a similar game in the hostile environs of Neyland Stadium, Georgia will win going away. If he makes the mistakes that have plagued him this year, we will be in for a battle.
What Will Happen
The winner tomorrow night will have a clear shot to win the East with Florida’s schedule and injuries and South Carolina’s quarterback problems. Therefore, for the loser, this game is an elimination game in the conference and probably increases the murmurs about the head coach’s future. Tennessee hasn’t been tested in its wins against a couple of cupcakes and a Cincinnati team that is the shell of its former Brian Kelly self and didn’t look ready for prime time against Florida especially after Justin Hunter’s injury. Georgia really has only looked bad in one game, its opener against Boise, who continues to be in the national championship picture. A few less mistakes and this team is in the top 15 at 4-1 with multiple impressive conference wins. I’m going with the team that has played more meaningful games to this point in the season. Georgia wins in a game more dominant than the score indicates (again).
Final Score: Georgia 31, Tennessee 23
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