Georgia Bulldogs vs Tennessee Volunteers Picks and Predictions November 16th 2024

No. 7 Tennessee Visits No. 12 Georgia in High-Stakes SEC Showdown

The stakes couldn’t be higher in the Southeastern Conference this weekend. With the new two-loss cutoff for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 12 Georgia are entering what feels like an early playoff game on Saturday night in Athens, Georgia.

Georgia in Uncharted Waters

For Georgia (7-2, 5-2 SEC), this game comes at a pivotal time. The Bulldogs are reeling from a 28-10 loss to then-No. 16 Ole Miss, marking their first defeat to a non-Alabama team since 2020. That loss also dropped them nine spots in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, leaving them on the outside looking in.

To avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since Kirby Smart’s inaugural season in 2016, Georgia must win its remaining three games to have any hope of sneaking into the playoff field. With Boise State currently holding the 12th spot as the fifth-best conference champion, the Bulldogs know their margin for error is gone.

Tennessee Rolling into Athens

Meanwhile, Tennessee (8-1, 5-1) arrives in Athens on a four-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the SEC. The Volunteers have already taken down a common opponent in Alabama, beating the Tide 24-17 — the same Alabama team that outlasted Georgia 41-34 back in late September.

The last time Tennessee beat Georgia was in 2016, when Josh Dobbs connected on a 43-yard Hail Mary to win 34-31. Since then, Georgia has dominated this rivalry, winning the last seven matchups.

The Pressure on Carson Beck

For Georgia to make it eight in a row against Tennessee, they’ll need more from their quarterback, Carson Beck. After a strong 2023 season with 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions, Beck came into this season as a preseason Heisman contender. However, his performance has been inconsistent, particularly in recent games.

In last week’s loss to Ole Miss, Beck threw for just 186 yards, an interception, and had two costly fumbles. The fifth-year senior now leads the FBS with 12 interceptions, with nine of those coming in his last four games. Despite the struggles, Coach Smart remains confident in his quarterback:

“Absolutely not,” Smart said when asked if he was considering a change. “We’ve got the quarterback we’ve got who is completely competent, capable, and understanding of our system.”

Georgia’s offense, which managed only 10 points last week, will have to elevate its game against a stingy Tennessee defense. The Volunteers are allowing just 12.6 points per game, ranking fifth in the nation.

Tennessee’s Defense vs. Georgia’s Offense

Tennessee’s defense has been lights out all season, with the most points they’ve allowed in a single game being just 19, which came in their lone loss to Arkansas. Since that defeat, the Volunteers have tightened the screws, most recently limiting Mississippi State to just 271 total yards in a 33-14 win.

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Offensively, Tennessee’s sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been solid, throwing for 174 yards and two touchdowns last week before exiting with an upper-body injury. Head coach Josh Heupel is optimistic about his quarterback’s availability: “I feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday,” Heupel said.

What’s at Stake for Both Teams?

For Georgia, this game is about survival. A win keeps their playoff hopes alive, while a loss would almost certainly eliminate them from contention. Tennessee, on the other hand, is eyeing its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. A win in Athens would be a major statement and could propel them into the top four.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Carson Beck vs. Tennessee’s Pass Rush: Beck has been turnover-prone, and Tennessee’s defense excels at pressuring quarterbacks. How Beck handles the blitz will be crucial.
2. Nico Iamaleava’s Health: If Iamaleava is less than 100%, Tennessee’s offense could struggle to move the ball against Georgia’s stout defense. His ability to extend plays and push the ball downfield will be key.
3. Battle in the Trenches: Both teams have strong defensive fronts. Georgia’s run game will need to find a way to break through Tennessee’s aggressive front seven, while the Volunteers will look to keep the Bulldogs one-dimensional.

Prediction: Can Georgia Bounce Back?

Both teams have a lot on the line, and the atmosphere in Athens will be electric. Georgia’s experience in big games, coupled with their home-field advantage, could give them the edge. However, if Carson Beck can’t clean up the turnovers, Tennessee’s opportunistic defense might just pull off the upset.

It’s a classic SEC showdown with playoff implications, and this one could go down to the wire.