Georgia vs. Tennessee Game Prediction, Pick

Our predictions as Georgia meets Tennessee in this Week 12 college football game between ranked SEC East rivals
Georgia vs. Tennessee Game Prediction, Pick
Georgia vs. Tennessee Game Prediction, Pick /

Back in the preseason, everyone knew it would be how well Georgia performed during this late-season stretch that would help define its season and if it could get into position to make a run at a three-peat. So far, so good, as the No. 1 Bulldogs are still undefeated heading into a critical matchup at No. 18 Tennessee in college football's Week 12 action on Saturday.

  • Georgia moved back to No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings after knocking off consecutive ranked SEC foes in Missouri and against Ole Miss
  • Bulldogs clinched the East Division and will play Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on the first weekend of December
  • They rank top-10 in scoring offense, passing, and scoring defense
  • Vols dropped to 3-3 in SEC play after an ugly performance at Mizzou last week
  • But they're still No. 8 nationally in rushing production per game

Georgia vs. Tennessee preview, prediction

When: Sat., Nov. 18
Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern
TV: CBS network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Bulldogs vs. Volunteers game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Georgia -10
Total: 58.5 points
Moneyline: UGA -400 | UT +320
FPI pick: Georgia 69.4% to win

What to watch for

1. Tennessee's pass rush. Part of the Vols' broadly improved front seven play this season relates to their ability to consistently generate pressure against the quarterback. While sack numbers don't tell the whole story, they help illustrate how well or poorly a line can thwart pressure. Georgia leads the SEC by allowing just nine sacks this season, but UT is 2nd in the SEC and 7th nationally with 33 sacks recorded, and has one in 14 straight games.

2. Establish the run. It's quite important for Tennessee as a matter of fact. The Vols are a perfect 7-0 when they run for more than 200 yards and are 0-3 when run for less. For its part, Georgia has allowed opposing backs to gain more than 200 yards in just one game this season, a seven-point victory at Auburn that was close most of the day.

3. Slow starts. Georgia coach Kirby Smart has come to terms with the fact that his defense will in all likelihood surrender a touchdown or at least points on the opening drive. And he's right: the Bulldogs have allowed opponents to score on their debut possession five times and in four straight games. Tennessee has scored on seven of its first 10 drives this year, and they're all touchdowns.

Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction

Being at home against a rival and coming off a loss should inspire Tennessee to bring its A-game early on and keep it close in the first half. Especially given Georgia's relatively slow starts on defense. And similar to the Alabama game, in which the Vols' passing attack clicked and built a rhythm that was tough to stop.

But the Bulldogs are the more complete team with the firepower to throw and run the ball and the front seven to adequately repel the Volunteers' attempts to build momentum on the ground. Georgia is top 10 nationally averaging 18.2 points in the second half of games, and that number swells to 20.3 in the last three games.

College Football HQ picks...

  • Georgia wins 37-20
  • Covers the spread
  • And hits the under

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Published
James Parks
JAMES PARKS

James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He previously covered football for 247Sports and CBS Interactive. College Football HQ joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022.