Legitimate chance to win by 14?

[Sudden Impact]

I totally expect two things from GA, Run the football to keep HH off the field and to utilized the 2 headed monsters at TE.

 

[Eastknox865]

Nolan Smith is out for the year so that helps. Get healthy Smith and go make you some money next year. GO VOLS

 

[OrangeBloodinTN]

We dot their eye on the first drive, and that stadium will go quiet. Winning by more than 14 is a real possibility.

Just a reminder -- there was similar hand-wringing over here about Kentucky and their 1st rounder.

 

[TJSVOLS]

I believe this game will be decided by how Bennett plays.
Additionally how UTs Oline plays.
A lot of these bombs Hook throws are the Oline allowing Hook to stand in the pocket and let the WR blow open.
Not sure he'll have a lot of time Saturday

while I do agree with you, ga has the least amount of sacks in the sec.

 

[volfan2024]

I’m normally not confident at all playing Georgia but this year I’m looking forward to the game. This will be our best shot at winning and possibly play them as well as we did against LSU and Kentucky nit to mention Bama. Georgia has had their struggles thus year. Lately we have played the better in Athens it seems.

 

[WilcoVolsFan]

Nolan Smith is out for the year so that helps. Get healthy Smith and go make you some money next year. GO VOLS

Damn, that sucks for the young man. Never want to wish that on a kid, even in the big game.

 

[MiramarVol]

UGA has been stockpiling 5 stars for years. This is really the first time they’ve had to get up for a game this year. Our boys have expended a ton of effort and emotion and produced some amazing results. it’s hard to imagine that doesn’t put some miles on the odometer. Im blown away by the results, but I can’t help but believe that eventually the realty of the rosters will show. I’ve been wrong about this team more than I’ve been right, so here is hoping I’m wrong again.

5 star players mess up, make mistakes, fumble just like any other player. Bama has more of them or just as many as Georgia. Bama got the last Heisman winner and we beat them. So, why. ant we beat Georgia also? Stools said they had to weeks to prepare and went over coverages over and over and still couldn't stop us. Bama has 5 star DB's who our offense made them look mediocre. Either you have the faith in our team or you don't.

 

[Arrested Devolopment]

Bait.

 

[amstelman]

YES.

See the Maxims: breaks, mistakes and kicking.

Everything else looks to be an even match-up.

 

[WilcoVolsFan]

while I do agree with you, ga has the least amount of sacks in the sec.

Wow! I had to look it up because I'd never have guessed it given the absolute dominance of their defense last season, but it's true.

2022 Team Statistics

I know they lost half the starters in the NFL draft, but this is still really surprising considering how well they've been recruiting.

 

[VolBricks]

I want McGrath to wobble one over the crossbar as time expires for the win!

 

[Manning Up]

I am always hesitant to predict a score. My words have a particularly distasteful flavor after the game if I have to eat them.

 

[Hydro556]

I think this game comes down to our O line because I believe GA will blitz us a lot.

If 5 can get rid of it, accurately, or make productive runs, I think we can win. But I'm not convinced that's a given.

 

[Wireless1]

I think we win by 10-17. Game is in doubt until the three minute mark or so.

First 3 or last 3?

 

[Wireless1]

I’m normally not confident at all playing Georgia but this year I’m looking forward to the game. This will be our best shot at winning and possibly play them as well as we did against LSU and Kentucky nit to mention Bama. Georgia has had their struggles thus year. Lately we have played the better in Athens it seems.

Before the season, I thought we had a better chance to beat Georgia than Bama or possibly FLA. The biggest thing to change is that we won't sheak up on them.

 

[DD4ME]

Of course.

Folks know a lot less than they think about UGA. Their only truly impressive win was week 1 against a team with a brand new coach and transfer QB that has since beaten up on a pretty weak schedule themselves.

UGA by every measure or power ranking I've seen has played 5 of the 6 bottom teams in the SEC. They haven't played anyone in the upper half of the SEC. The only bad SEC team they haven't played is Texas A&M. So as odd as it may seem... UGA hasn't been challenged enough by their competition to show how truly good they are. There are no LSU's in their previous games much less a Bama. I'm not sure that UK wouldn't compete with Oregon fairly well.

Things we KNOW about UGA:

1. very talented.
2. very disciplined
3. lost a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and especially D from last year's team.
4. plays depth on D which usually means they can plug and play after losing guys
5. does not have elite talent at WR
6. does have elite talent on the OL and TE
7. has an "untalented" QB who gets it done anyway
8. has RB by committee but not up to past UGA standards
9. 3 deep at CB includes two Sophs and 4 Fr
10. also starts a Fr at Safety.
11. two FR in the DL two deep

So we do not actually KNOW how good they are. We do know they're very good... but Bama good? We don't know. There are reasons to be concerned but also some opportunities for UT to exploit too.

I do think our matchup with them last year shows that even though the teams are different that their staff has a clear plan for challenging us. I do think we know their talent level is down, our talent level or cohesiveness is up, and overall the matchup should be closer even if their strategies are strong and effective. I think this will come down to who steps up. In the past, I would have bet against UT, but now I have full faith in confidence in their belief.

 

[feathersax]

Maybe more? Yes?

Why NOT, Vols? How many of us thought Tennessee would be 8-0 November 1st?

 

[ILOVEMYBIGVOLS]

I will be happy with a one point win! Anything more is just icing on the cake.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

First 3 or last 3?

Lol, 3:00 on the clock, fourth quarter.

 

[sjt18]

UGA has been stockpiling 5 stars for years.

True. They're talented.

This is really the first time they’ve had to get up for a game this year. Our boys have expended a ton of effort and emotion and produced some amazing results. it’s hard to imagine that doesn’t put some miles on the odometer.

Or... UT is battle tested while UGA is not. In fact, it appears UT will enter the game with pretty much everyone who has not been lost for the season while UGA may have a few key players out or limited. UT has been challenged and has overcome those challenges. Far from costing them in emotion... it builds confidence.

Im blown away by the results, but I can’t help but believe that eventually the realty of the rosters will show.

What "reality" is that? I hope that you've moved past the idea that UT does not have talent and particularly a high level of development of that talent.

According to 247's composite roster talent rankings, UGA is the 2nd most talented team in the country. I'm sure that confirms your concerns... except that UT has already played, gone toe to toe, blow for blow... with the MOST talented team in the country- and WON. Maybe a fluke, right? UT also beat LSU the #8 most talented team and UF the #12 most talented team. Oregon at #7 is only separated from LSU by a score of 872 to 878... they're virtually the same.

So the big crimson elephant in the room... is that UT had enough talent to beat the most talented team in the country and could have beaten them worse. Bama did not lose to UT because they made more mistakes or got a worse deal from the officials. The Vols won straight up.

I'm not predicting a win. I'm not disrespecting UGA's talent in the least. But exactly what "reality" are you talking about?

I’ve been wrong about this team more than I’ve been right, so here is hoping I’m wrong again.

You're behaving cowardly. You see all the reasons for hope but you'd rather be "wrong" rather than risk disappointment. If UT loses then they lose... don't try to hide behind low expectations.

 

[sjt18]

I will be happy with a one point win! Anything more is just icing on the cake.

Not going to lie... I'd love to see the Vols get on a roll and make a real "statement". Among all the other potential benefits... it would give UT recruiting credibility that it has never had before.

 

[Matt2496]

I think the deciding factor in this game will be our defense. If we have a performance similar to LSU or Kentucky we have a good shot at winning.

I have no doubt in our offense.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

Why?

IMHO, we do not know enough about UGA to accurately predict what will happen. UGA may have the magic formula that slows UT's O down. If so, they'll wear UT's D down and beat the Vols comfortably. If they haven't then UT is going to score points. If UT can pair that to a D that takes away the run then you make them a lot more predictable and manageable. Their skill players look more similar to UK than Bama except for Bowers.

Either team could win by multiple scores. It could also be a close game. IMO, the least likely outcome is a low scoring close game... but that's also possible.

Would love nothing more than to be proven wrong.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Maybe more? Yes?

Possible if UGA turns the ball over leading to short fields for our offense to work with. I wouldn't count on that though. Expect a game going into the fourth quarter.

 

[sjt18]

Would love nothing more than to be proven wrong.

Too easy. That's a cowardly approach. You are hiding behind a low expectation. If the Vols lose then you can say "I told you so". If they win you can say, "Oh, I'm so happy to be wrong" and hope no one notices. You are probably trying not to set yourself up for disappointment too.

If you are really that convinced of an unqualified, "NO"... then why not spell out why so we can either dispute your points and give you reasons for confidence or you can show us reasons to be hopeless.