Georgia vs. Tennessee was heralded because the most-anticipated matchup of the season, and thru two quarters of play, it is clear the reigning nationwide champions are out to make a press release on the largest stage of the season. The No. 3 Bulldogs lead the No. 1 Volunteers 24-6 because the third quarter begins in Athens because the Georgia offense is out to remind some folks how lethal it may be. 

Stetson Bennett has thrown for 226 yards and two touchdowns as Ladd McConkey leads the way in which in receiving with 63 yards on three catches with a landing. Bennett has additionally added one rating on the bottom because the Dawgs dominated the primary half-hour. 

Meanwhile, the high-powered Tennessee offense has been held down by the Georgia protection. Hendon Hooker, who has drawn a plethora of Heisman hype all through this undefeated run for the Vols, has solely thrown for 88 yards and an interception by the half. 

Keep it locked at this link here for stay updates, highlights and evaluation of Georgia vs. Tennessee. 

How to observe Georgia vs. Tennessee stay

Date: Saturday, Nov. 5 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Sanford Stadium — Athens, Georgia
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)

Georgia vs. Tennessee: Need to know

What does Nolan Smith’s loss imply?: Georgia acquired horrible information this week when it was introduced that star linebacker Nolan Smith’s season is over after he suffered a pectoral injury within the win over Florida. The senior had seven tackles for loss and three sacks in eight video games this season previous to the harm. The timing could not be worse for the Bulldogs. 

The Volunteers offense is not simply some of the dynamic models within the nation, however it operates at warp velocity. The veteran presence that Smith dropped at the protection — together with his familiarity with the defensive scheme — is irreplaceable. Coach Kirby Smart addressed potential replacements on Monday. 

“Well, Robert [Beal] played,” he stated in his press convention. “He played a little more number of snaps once Nolan was injured. Chaz [Chambliss] did a nice job coming in. It was great to get him back. Didn’t know that he would have to play that much in that role. His hamstring has still been bothering him. It bothered him a little bit the other night after the game. So it’s one of those that we’re going to see how he does today and moves around. Looking to get Marvin [Jones], all those guys going. So nobody really played more because it was just Chaz and Robert, really.”

Tennessee’s sneaky energy: The Volunteers rank second within the SEC in speeding protection (92.88 yards per recreation) and yards per play (2.90), which most likely comes as a shock to individuals who have not sat down and studied the Vols. They are tied for the SEC lead in fewest speeding performs of 20 or extra yards allowed (3), and the truth that they do not surrender explosive performs on the bottom is an enormous asset towards the Bulldogs. 

Georgia likes to ascertain the run and work off of play motion. That’s been its identification all through Smart’s tenure there, and continues to be true despite the fact that Bennett has taken over extra management of the offense this 12 months. If Tennessee can have the identical sort of success vs. Kenny McIntosh, Daijun Edwards, Branson Robinson and the remainder of the gifted Bulldogs operating again room, it will have an opportunity to spring the upset. 

Styles make fights: If Tennessee is allowed to play its model of soccer, it may beat any opponent that it performs save for, maybe, a hypothetical matchup with Ohio State. Smart is aware of simply how harmful Josh Heupel’s offense might be.

“They go really fast,” Smart stated. “They get a lot of at-bats in terms of possessions, and they do start fast. I think our team has done a really good job of growing and getting better throughout this year. And each week, including the off-week, it’s, like, I see marked improvement. I really want to continue to do that. We’re trending in the right direction in terms of getting better both offensively and defensively.”

Knowing that, it is on Bennett to guarantee that this recreation does not flip right into a observe meet. That means staying on schedule, avoiding adverse performs, attending to third-and-short conditions and changing red-zone alternatives into touchdowns. Generally talking, time of possession is not as essential at the moment because it was earlier than the rise of offensive creativity. It issues on this one, although. Georgia has to maintain Hooker and the remainder of the Vols offense on the sideline and never waste alternatives. 

Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction, picks

I’ll exit on a limb and take Tennessee to win straight up. Don’t get me flawed, I’ll seize these factors, too, however this Tennessee offense is simply too good to be stopped even by a protection as gifted and deep as Georgia’s. The Vols will function at warp velocity, expose Smith’s absence whereas utilizing Hooker and operating backs Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright on the bottom to arrange the chunk performs excessive. Bennett will not be capable to sustain and the Vols will notch their greatest win in a long time. Prediction: Tennessee +8.5

Which college football picks are you able to make with confidence in Week 10, and which top-25 groups will go down arduous? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a confirmed laptop mannequin that has returned nearly $3,000 in revenue over the previous six-plus seasons — and discover out.