THREE STORYLINES

Depth test. Georgia tailback Todd Gurley (ankle sprain) was unable to practice this week, then starting safety Tray Matthews joined him in the training room with a midweek hamstring strain. Their availability for Saturday’s game is questionable. So backups Keith Marshall and Connor Norman are being counted on to fill in.

On guard. Coming off a one-month stretch in which the Bulldogs played three top-10 opponents, it’s easy to see how they could be psychologically spent at this point. And first-year Tennessee coach Butch Jones is looking for signature win on which to hang his hat. Georgia is on letdown alert.

A little help? It would appear that the Bulldogs are capable of outscoring almost anybody they run up against, including the Volunteers, who rank last in the SEC in total offense and passing offense. But isn’t it about time for the young Georgia defense to grow up and pull its own weight? Allowing 32.5 points per game does not a championship team make.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Georgia defensive line vs. Tennessee offensive line. The Bulldogs have shown that they’re a decent defense when they can pressure the quarterback. They sacked Zach Mettenberger four times and pressured him several others Saturday. But Richt calls Tennessee’s O-line the best in the SEC, “if not the country.” Stuffing the run and forcing the Vols to pass will be a tall task.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

“Great night getting some ice cream with the big guys. Keeping my jersey clean on Saturdays!” — gEORGIA @AaronMurray11 (Aaron Murray, Georgia quarterback, on taking out the Bulldogs’ entire offensive line for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for keeping him upright against LSU)