Game Week: Georgia

Tennessee once again got the start that they wanted on Saturday, but failed to produce a complete game in a 24-20 loss to Arkansas.

In a matchup of two teams coming off of disappointing home losses, Tennessee (2-3, 0-2 SEC) will host the No. 19 Georgia Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 SEC) this Saturday.

Georgia’s much anticipated game against Alabama did not go quite the way Bulldog fans were hoping, with the Crimson Tide rolling, 38-10, in front of a soaked crowd at Sanford Stadium.

This weekend, both teams will look to bounce back and try to catch Florida in the SEC East race, with Tennessee breaking out their new Nike Smokey Grey uniforms to add some extra intrigue to the game.

Here’s a look at the 2015 edition of Vols-Bulldogs:

Georgia Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers

Game Information

Kickoff: Saturday at 3:30 PM EST

TV: CBS

Line: Georgia by 2

No. 19 Georgia Bulldogs (4-1)

Head Coach: Mark Richt (15th season)

Offensive Coordinator: Brian Schottenheimer

Defensive Coordinator: Jeremy Pruitt

2015 Season Notes

- Picked by media preseason to finish 1st in SEC East

- Ranked No. 9 in preseason, reached as high as No. 8, now ranked No. 19

- Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert won offseason quarterback competition, but backup Brice Ramsey played part of second half of last week’s loss to Alabama

Georgia players to watch:

Greyson Lambert, quarterback

After starting the 2015 season very strong, Greyson Lambert took a step backwards against Alabama, completing 10 of 24 passes for just 86 yards.

Backup Brice Ramsey took over at the end of the second quarter and got significant playing time in the third quarter, but Georgia head coach Mark Richt announced on Sunday that Lambert would remain the starter.

Even with the Alabama game included, Lambert’s stats are impressive.

The Virginia transfer has completed 62 of 92 passes for 819 yards and seven touchdowns, with just one interception.

If Tennessee succeeds in containing Lambert, it will be because of an effective pass rush.

Lambert has performed noticeably worse when pressured, which makes defensive linemen Owen Williams, Derek Barnett, and Corey Vereen important factors in this game.

Alabama’s success on defense came when limiting the Bulldogs’ run game and forcing Lambert to throw, then unleashing their pass rush. If Tennessee is able to this, they will have a great chance to win.

Nick Chubb, running back

There is no question of who holds the title of the best player of the Georgia football team – it’s Nick Chubb.

Chubb has followed up his sensational freshman season with a great start to his sophomore year.

Through five games, Chubb has 745 yards and seven touchdowns on just 91 carries, which comes out to 8.2 yards per carry.

In last season’s game against Tennessee, Chubb was backing up eventual top ten NFL Draft pick Todd Gurley, but still found his way into the end zone with a 20-yard touchdown reception.

Containing Chubb will be essential to Tennessee’s game plan for Saturday, and a big day from him could make it a long day for the Vols.

#georgia #preview