Big Orange vs. Dawgs...

The Tennessee Volunteers travel south this weekend to face their familiar SEC East foe, the Georgia Bulldogs.  Head Coach Derek Dooley is 0-2 against his father's former school, while Georgia's Mark Richt boasts a 7-4 record against the Volunteers since taking over the Bulldog's program in 2001.  Last year's game in Knoxville was a sloppy, low scoring game eventually won by Georgia, 20-12. 

Since Mark Richt's arrival in Athens, the Tennessee vs. Georgia series has been one of many upsets. In 2001, the unranked Bulldogs rolled into Knoxville, and beat the #6 Volunteers in the final seconds of what has become known as the "hobnail boot" game.  In 2004, the Volunteers went to Athens one week after being pummled at home by the Auburn Tigers, and stunned the #3 Bulldogs 19-14.  Then in 2006, after trailing on the road 24-7 to the #9 Bulldogs, the #14 Volunteers came storming back in one of the most remarkable second half comebacks I have ever seen, winning the game 51-33.  A year later, the unranked Volunteers whipped the #12 Bulldogs in Knoxville by a score of 35-14.  I don't know what it is, or why it happens, but starnge occurences always seem to happen when these two schools square off against each other.  Here's hoping the 2012 version will be no different.

Derek Dooley's Volunteers enter the game coming off an unemotional outing against the Akron Zips.  The Vols won the game, but looked lackadaisical doing so.  The game was very much in doubt until the final quarter, when the Vols finally pulled away.  While the Vols were struggling at home against Akron, the Georgia Bulldogs were playing host to the Vanderbilt Commodores.  The game was never in doubt, as the Bulldogs cruised to an easy 48-3 victory inside Sanford Stadium.  Entering the game with the #9 ranked offense in terms of points per game, the Bulldogs offense will be a tough matchup for the Vols defense.  Not only can Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray throw the ball all over the yard, but he is also known for his mobility and his ability to scramble when the defense begins to collapse onto him.  Look for Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Sal Sunseri to try and simplify things a little this week, putting his defenders in better position to make plays against Georgia's offense.  Offensively, I look for Tyler Bray to have a big game for Tennessee.  Bray was sick last week against Akron, and still managed to throw for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns.  I expect him to spread the ball around to his many different receivers, and have a huge game through the air.  Look for the Volunteer coaches to get offensive playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson more touches this week as well.  Good things happen when the ball is in his hands, and I expect Offensive Coordinator Jim Chaney to draw up a few more plays specifically designed for Patterson this week.

The big question for Tennessee heading to Athens this week will be whether or not the Vols can put together an entire game against a big time opponent.  We saw the Vols come close two weeks ago at home against Florida.  The Vols played nearly three flawless quarters against the Gators, before collapsing as quickly as a house of cards.  When the breaks begin to go in Georgia's favor, will Tyler Bray be able to keep his composure and lead his team?  We are about 17 hours away from finding out.  And in a series which has seen its fair share of upsets in recent years, I am predicting we see another one tomorrow "in between the hedges".

W_o_P Says:

 

Big ORANGE 31-27