There probably aren't two football programs in the SEC that are more familiar with each other than Georgia and Tennessee. But as the teams prepare for Saturday's 49th renewal of the 120-year-old rivalry, there remains one significant unknown on the Vols' side of the ledger.
Who is going to play quarterback.
Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt prefers to keep that a mystery.
“We’re not going to give Georgia a scouting report of what we’re going to do this week,” Pruitt said Monday at his weekly press conference. “So, we’re going to rep the guys that give us the best opportunities to have success.”
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So far, the Vols have “repped” three quarterbacks. But the intention all along has been just to play one — Jarrett Guarantano. However, the redshirt junior from New Jersey has struggled this season.
Guarantano was pulled in the Florida game after throwing two interceptions in favor of freshman Brian Maurer. Guarantano would return briefly in what ended as a 34-3 loss in Gainesville, but Pruitt let it be known afterward that the position was up for grabs.
Last week, Pruitt said all three Tennessee quarterbacks would get an equal amount of snaps in practice. That includes redshirt freshman J.T. Shrout.
But Guarantano still appears to be the Vols’ best bet.
“He had a really good practice last week, which isn’t unusual,” Pruitt said Monday. “He practiced really well in spring and fall camp. The big thing with Jarrett is taking it to the game and being consistent, creating the right habits. He has to improve on in taking care of the football. That’s the number one goal.”
The 6-foot-4, 213-pound Guarantano played well down the stretch for the Vols last season and was considered an asset coming into this one. But he enters Saturday’s game with four interceptions to seven touchdowns and a 147.3 QB rating. Georgia’s Jake Fromm, by comparison, carries a 180.5 rating.
Maurer was 4-of-11 passing against Florida and also threw an interception. Shrout’s only work came at the end of a 45-0 win over Chattanooga.
Georgia is not sure what to expect.
“Obviously, (Maurer is) a really good athlete, but so is Jarrett,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I mean, they both can run the ball and both do things with that package. I thought (Maurer) came in and did a good job.”
Guarantano was tough against Georgia last year in Sanford Stadium. He completed 13-of-21 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception in the 38-12 win for the Bulldogs.
