No. 1 Georgia will try to make history when it visits No. 18 Tennessee in a Southeastern Conference showdown on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.
Georgia (10-0, 7-0) has won a school-record 27 consecutive games since the end of the 2021 campaign. A win this weekend would move the Bulldogs into a tie for the longest winning streak in SEC history, joining Alabama from 1978-80 and 1991-93.
This week, the Bulldogs also jumped Ohio State for the top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.
“Rare air,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “Those (Alabama teams) are guys I grew up watching as a little kid growing up in Alabama, with my dad being a high school coach.
“A lot of the credit goes to the people that come to this university and play, the players that made those sacrifices, the players who helped win those games. … It’s just all these guys that made sacrifices to do this and make it special.”
Tennessee (7-3, 3-3) would love to spoil the Bulldogs’ dream run. The Volunteers return home to Neyland Stadium, where they have won 14 consecutive games.
The Volunteers fell five spots in the CFP rankings after losing 36-7 to then-No. 14 Missouri on the road last weekend. Tennessee trailed 13-7 at the break and was outscored 23-0 in the second half.
For Volunteers coach Josh Heupel, this week presents an opportunity to erase the ill taste of the loss.
“A lot to learn from,” Heupel said. “At the same time, you’ve got to wash it. Whether you win or lose and you’ve got to move on to the next one. …
“We understand the quality of the opponent that’s coming to town this week. Our guys understand who they are, what they’re about, the way that they’re going to play. It’s going to be a great test for us.”
It has been a one-sided rivalry in recent years. Georgia has won six straight games against Tennessee, which last knocked off the Bulldogs in 2016 in Athens, Ga.
This year’s Georgia squad is led on offense by quarterback Carson Beck, who has passed for 3,022 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Beck’s top target is tight end Brock Bowers, who returned from injury last week and who leads the team with 44 catches for 601 yards and five touchdowns.
On the ground, Daijun Edwards paces Georgia with 691 rushing yards and 10 scores.
Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III will try to keep pace with Georgia’s high-potent offense. He has passed for 2,283 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
Volunteers wideout Squirrel White has a team-high 49 catches for 609 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jaylen Wright has amassed 848 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, Georgia has the edge.
The Bulldogs have allowed 289.2 yards per game, which ranks ninth in the nation. The Volunteers have given up 340.6 yards per game, which ranks No. 39.
A fast start helped Georgia in the team’s most recent meeting last year. The Bulldogs jumped to a 24-6 lead at halftime and held on for a 27-13 victory in Athens.
–Field Level Media
