UTVols News and Opinions

vs.







Well, the script hasn’t changed much from the last SEC game to this one. The keys to the game are still the same:

• Control the line of scrimmage
• Establish a balanced attack
• Protect Erik Ainge
• Protect the ball
• Don’t give up the big plays

This isn’t rocket science. The coaches and players know what has to be done; now they’ve got to prove they can do it—again.

Key Matchups

Tennessee Guards vs. Georgia Defensive ends

All the talk this week on Sportscenter and other venues has been around the Georgia defense. Well, they certainly have their stars. They have a mammoth tandem of defensive ends, Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson. On most teams, they can get a pass rush without bringing up safety and sacrifice coverage. It will be critical, since they will most of the time be coming around wide, for center Josh McNeil, along with guards David Ligon (pictured left) and Anthony Parker to protect the pocket and allow Erik Ainge to step up into the pocket out of the shotgun.

Edge: Even

LaMarcus Coker vs. Georgia defense

Coker has proved that he can make the most of what’s opened for him, and it will be critical for him to prove it again this week against a defense that only gives up 5 points per contest so far this year. Coker may not have to get 100 yards on the stingy Dawgs to get balance, though. As long as Coker, Hardesty, and Foster remain a legitimate threat, the pressure will be off the passing attack and Ainge can throw his strikes to our hungry receivers.

Edge: Tennessee

Georgia offense vs. Tennessee defense

There’s too many points to consider to break it up into smaller units. Basically, Georgia has a lot of questions to answer: Can Joe Tereshinski pilot this offense to a win? Will he be ineffective after 4 weeks off, leaving Matt Stafford to have to come in and try to get into a rhythm? Can Kregg Lumpkin provide the much needed spark at running back? Can the Georgia offensive line protect anybody? Similarly, the Tennessee defense has to come up with some big plays. Linebacker Marvin Mitchell and free safety Jonathan Hefney lead the league in tackles, and needs to cause a fumble/interception or two to give Ainge a short field to work with.

Edge: Tennessee

Special teams

James Wilhoit has been stellar this season, making 14 of 17 field goals and three times from 51 yards out. Punter Britton Colquitt has also been a weapon for the Vols, pinning opponents deep and giving them little room to maneuver. The return game, however, is at a dismal 116th out of 119 Div. 1-A teams. The Vols have got to come up with an answer with their return specialists and give the offense something to work with in terms of a short field.

Edge: Even


Adding It All Up—The Prediction

I think the Bulldogs have too many questions to answer, and they won’t be able to put the pieces together fast enough this week to get a win. The Tennessee offense is clicking, and if they can avoid the big mistakes—costly fumbles, interceptions, giving up the big return for a touchdown--this team is tough enough to feed off of the electric, hostile atmosphere and come away with a victory. Smokey will be top dawg in Georgia this weekend.

Tennessee 24
Georgia 10