Three storylines
Neyland nix. Georgia has to play better in Neyland Stadium. The Bulldogs lost in their past two trips there by a combined score of 80-33. However, they've proved they can win there. Georgia won its first three times against Tennessee in Knoxville under coach Mark Richt, who will be going for his 100th career victory Saturday.
Third-down showdown. Tennessee is No. 1 in America in third-down conversions, forging first downs 62 percent of the time. Georgia is No. 2 in the nation in third-down defense, stopping opponents 75 percent of the time. Something will have to give Saturday.
Marching on without Washington. This is the Bulldogs' first game without starting outside linebacker Cornelius Washington, the team's leading pass rusher. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound junior was arrested for DUI on Saturday and was handed a two-game suspension, per UGA Athletic Association policy. Coaches have been mum about who might replace him, but it is expected to come from a group that includes sophomores Chase Vasser and Reuben Faloughi and freshman Ray Drew.
A Georgia win would ...
- Put it in the driver's seat in the SEC East
- Be number 100 for Georgia's 11th-year coach Mark Richt
A Tennessee win would ...
- Be its third consecutive over Georgia in Knoxville
- Be its first SEC victory of 2011
Keep an eye on ...
For Georgia: Aaron Murray. The Bulldogs’ sophomore quarterback is coming off one of the worst games of his career. He threw three interceptions and completed only 13 of 25 passes for 160 yards in a 24-10 win over Mississippi State. He’ll have to be much sharper against Tennessee, which averages 37.8 points per game.
For Tennessee: Da’Rick Rogers. The sophomore wide receiver from Calhoun is the primary target for 6-foot-6 quarterback Tyler Bray. Rogers (6-3, 215) has averaged 6.8 receptions and 110 yards per game and leads the Volunteers with 6 touchdowns. He was committed to Georgia for seven months before changing his mind shortly before signing day in 2010.
The numbers game
6 Field goals made by Georgia's Blair Walsh out of 12 attempts, a .500 percentage
7 wins for Tennessee since Tyler Bray has been its starting quarterback, out of eight games
The history book
Series record: Tennessee leads 21-17-2. The home team has won the past four times.
The last time: Aaron Murray rushed for two touchdowns and passed for 266 yards and two more scores as Georgia rolled 41-14 in Sanford Stadium on Oct. 9, 2010. Tennessee lost two fumbles and threw an interception as the Bulldogs held a 34-7 lead four minutes into the third quarter.
The bottom line
This is a real pendulum game for Georgia. Win it, and the Bulldogs could be in the driver’s seat in the SEC East heading to Vanderbilt next week. Lose it, and the talk of the program’s recent decline under Richt will resume. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs face their toughest test on defense since the season opener against Boise State. They must get pressure on Bray and control the Vols’ highly efficient passing game to have success.
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