Georgia–Tennessee isn’t just any game. This has major implications for the college football playoffs as well as the SEC East and the race for the SEC Championship.
We reached out to writers who cover college football nationally for their prediction and how they see the game playing out.
‘You knew that was the big one:’ Dawgs-Vols top UGA’s highest-ranked home game
Heather Dinich, ESPN.com
Georgia 24 Tennessee 21
No one is playing better defense right now than the Dawgs, and while Tennessee is coming off their most complete performance of the season, Georgia will be making more saves.
Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com
Georgia 28, Tennessee 26
Two programs that transformed in haste — Tennessee this year, Georgia in 2017 — are blueprints for modern college football. We do it mainly with defense. We do it mainly out of offense. Maybe it’s fitting that this one is decided by a certain Jack Podlesny, Georgia’s kicker.
The link that connects:College sports tie that ties Mike White of Georgia basketball and Danny White of Tennessee
Nolan Smith still impacting No. 3 Bulldogs, despite season-ending injury
Pat Forde, SI.com
Georgia 31, Tennessee 28
The Volunteers finally found someone with the defense to stop their splash-play onslaught. Georgia’s big game experience wins.
Braden Gall, Athlon Sports
Georgia 41, Tennessee 38
Can the Flights overcome the maturity and depth of the Georgian program and an extremely hostile environment? If Georgia can get their weapons into space, especially into the field, and force the Vols to work methodically down the length of the field, then you can beat Tennessee.
David Hale, ESPN.com
Georgia 27, Tennessee 24
Georgia’s secondary is hands down the best Tennessee will have faced this season, and while I doubt anyone can completely shut down Hendon Hooker & Co., I think the Dawgs have the pieces to at least make them work for every score. . It feels like a game that comes down to a final workout – strength on strength – and I wink at Georgia D.
Chris Low, ESPN.com
Georgia 34, Tennessee 28
Tennessee has proven they can score against anyone, but doing it on the road in the toughest environment and against the toughest defense the Vols have faced this season will be too much to overcome.
Ralph Russo, Associated Press
Georgia 31, Tennessee 24
The winner takes command of the SEC East and virtually secures a spot in the conference championship game. Steals QB Hendon Hooker could take a huge lead in the Heisman Trophy race by adding the defending national champions to the list of teams he has knocked down with Alabama.
Mark Schlabach ESPN.com
Georgia 38, Tennessee 35
I like the Bulldogs at home, even though I liked them better before outside linebacker Nolan Smith suffered a shoulder injury. I think home advantage will be paramount and the Georgian defense will make at least a few saves.
Dan Wolken, USA Today
Tennessee 38, Georgia 35
The Vols just don’t seem to be wrong this season, and they’re playing with the confidence you need to go into an environment like Athens on Saturday and win. Sometimes the stars just align for a certain team, and that may be Tennessee this year.