by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Nov 02, 2022
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Georgia -8
FanDuel: Georgia -8.5
BetMGM: Georgia -8
Caesars: Georgia -8.5
Season record
No. 1 Tennessee: 8-0 (4-0 SEC)
No. 3 Georgia: 8-0 (5-0 SEC)
We're coming down to the wire in what should be an exciting final month of the college football season. The conference championship chases are on, bowl games are to be decided, and who gets into the College Football Playoff is anybody's guess to this point. If you're still trying to figure out who's the best to play at this point of the year, look no further than our champion handicappers leading the way in the college football world. Our own Kyle Hunter is 23-8-0 over the last month, while Brian Bitler is 21-13-0 in the run. Kyle's reeled in a net profit of over $14,000. Now you feel like you should be getting on the action, huh? Make sure you go check out bigal.com to see all of the work our champion handicappers are trying to do to get money in YOUR pocket with our selections. Make sure to hit up our Best Bets page for more!
Tennessee - Georgia preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Tennessee: won 44-6 vs. No. 19 Kentucky
Georgia: won 42-20 vs. Florida
The new No. 1 team in the country? The Tennessee Volunteers. Who would've ever thought that one a month ago? Hell, even if this season was underway, Tennessee was not at the forefront, nor was Hendon Hooker seen as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner. Alas, here we are, the last month of the season, and we're in legit territory of discussing the Vols as national title favorites.
But to cement that status with a month to go almost seems unethical, because of who is around in this mess. And that would include Tennessee's opponent this weekend, the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs, who are No. 3 team in the College Football Playoff rankings as they were first unveiled on Tuesday. Normally, you'd want this game to be the ultimate SEC catch-all, but to kick off November, no one should really complain here.
In all honesty, this is the game that's going to answer many questions. One of them being, "Is Tennessee for real?" Another one being, "Is there any offense that can actually break Tennessee?" And, "Can Hendon Hooker cement his Heisman Trophy moment by knocking off the defending national champions?" These will all be answered by the time 7 p.m. ET hits.
Ultimately, Tennessee's Cinderella season could turn back into a pumpkin in Athens on Saturday. The Vols are coming into this week off a 44-6 win against the Kentucky Wildcats, another instance where they've dominated SEC competition and manhandled a ranked team in the process. Hooker had himself another fantastic game, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while Jaylin Hyatt continued his Biletnikoff-worthy season by reeling in 138 yards and two touchdowns.
This is the best run Tennessee has been on since winning the national title in 1998. This isn't to say Hooker is the second coming of Peyton Manning, but it might start to make sense that the stars align for such a situation.
''The first day I took this job, this is what you envision,'' Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. ''You're in the nuts and bolts and continue to grow. These guys wanted to stay (during the coaching transition).''
They have stayed, and this group has been tremendous to watch in every facet. If you haven't enjoyed watching Tennessee at any point this year, you don't enjoy college football. All you had to do was watch the win against Alabama to see if Tennessee is really ready for primetime.
We know Georgia is, and we know the Bulldogs have been in this position before. We know who they are. And we know the defense will be the toughest thing Tennessee has seen to this point.
But you know we're crazy, right?
The new No. 1 team in the country? The Tennessee Volunteers. Who would've ever thought that one a month ago? Hell, even if this season was underway, Tennessee was not at the forefront, nor was Hendon Hooker seen as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner. Alas, here we are, the last month of the season, and we're in legit territory of discussing the Vols as national title favorites.
But to cement that status with a month to go almost seems unethical, because of who is around in this mess. And that would include Tennessee's opponent this weekend, the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs, who are No. 3 team in the College Football Playoff rankings as they were first unveiled on Tuesday. Normally, you'd want this game to be the ultimate SEC catch-all, but to kick off November, no one should really complain here.
In all honesty, this is the game that's going to answer many questions. One of them being, "Is Tennessee for real?" Another one being, "Is there any offense that can actually break Tennessee?" And, "Can Hendon Hooker cement his Heisman Trophy moment by knocking off the defending national champions?" These will all be answered by the time 7 p.m. ET hits.
Ultimately, Tennessee's Cinderella season could turn back into a pumpkin in Athens on Saturday. The Vols are coming into this week off a 44-6 win against the Kentucky Wildcats, another instance where they've dominated SEC competition and manhandled a ranked team in the process. Hooker had himself another fantastic game, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while Jaylin Hyatt continued his Biletnikoff-worthy season by reeling in 138 yards and two touchdowns.
This is the best run Tennessee has been on since winning the national title in 1998. This isn't to say Hooker is the second coming of Peyton Manning, but it might start to make sense that the stars align for such a situation.
''The first day I took this job, this is what you envision,'' Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. ''You're in the nuts and bolts and continue to grow. These guys wanted to stay (during the coaching transition).''
They have stayed, and this group has been tremendous to watch in every facet. If you haven't enjoyed watching Tennessee at any point this year, you don't enjoy college football. All you had to do was watch the win against Alabama to see if Tennessee is really ready for primetime.
We know Georgia is, and we know the Bulldogs have been in this position before. We know who they are. And we know the defense will be the toughest thing Tennessee has seen to this point.
But you know we're crazy, right?
Prediction
Tennessee has played seven games this year and not once have they been held to under 30 points. And the defense has allowed at least 33 points on two different occasions. Sometimes, you have to believe that destiny is the right play and for that, I think Tennessee gets it done. This is a team that has proven everyone wrong all year. The Vols have defeated five ranked opponents this year. Georgia would be six, and it would be an easy coast to the SEC title game with a win because there's no way they're losing to Missouri, South Carolina or Vanderbilt. I'm taking the Vols in a nailbiter. Tennessee by 6
Betting trends
Tennessee is 7-1 ATS this season, 16-15 in the last three years.
Tennessee is 3-9 ATS as an underdog in its last 12.
Tennessee is 5-6 ATS off an under over the last three years.
Georgia is 4-4 ATS this season, 18-15 the last three years.
Georgia is 13-11 ATS against conference opponents the last three years.
Statistical leaders
Tennessee:
Passing: Hendon Hooker -- 2,338 yards, 21 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jaylen Wright -- 478 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Jalin Hyatt -- 907 yards, 14 TD
Georgia:
Passing: Stetson Bennett -- 2,349 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Daijun Edwards -- 440 yards, 7 TD
Receiving: Brock Bowers -- 547 yards, 3 TD
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Tennessee Volunteers - Georgia Bulldogs prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college football projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
