at Georgia, Oct. 1
Daniel: Tennessee hasn’t won in Athens since 2006, so there’s some history to shake here. But, for whatever reason, UT has played some of its best football against UGA in Jones’ tenure. The Vols just don’t seem to be scared of the Bulldogs, even when they had better talent. I think UT has the more talented team this year and will be ready to get the big road win here in what should be a very good game.
Pick: 31-28 Tennessee
Nathanael: No matter how far apart these teams may be in talent, this game is usually a ridiculously close contest. The last five contests have been decided by an average of 5.6 points. The all-time series, which has seen 45 contests, has an average score of Tennessee 20.8, Georgia 19. That’s about as close as you can get in an annual rivalry. This game will depend on how Georgia’s quarterback and running back situation is and how good Tennessee’s defense actually is. Throw in the fact that it’s been a decade since the Vols have won in Athens, and this should be a fun one.
Pick: 37-35 Tennessee
Stephen: Now, here’s one I understand having a little more reservation about. Tennessee barely beat Georgia last season at home and they might have had luck on their side. Nick Chubb got hurt on the first play of the game. Sony Michel fumbled a kickoff return. A wide open touchdown was dropped in the end zone. And the best punt I’ve ever seen took an incredible bounce inside Georgia’s one-yard line. That’s what it took to beat the Bulldogs in Neyland last year. Throw that in with the fact that Tennessee has averaged just 12 points per game against Kirby Smart defenses in the last nine years, and it could be an upset in Athens. At the end of the day though, I think Tennessee has too much talent and Georgia will struggle against Tennessee’s new Bob Shoop defense.
Pick: 27-24 Tennessee
