Tennessee-Georgia: RTT Staff Predictions

Tennessee faces one of its stiffest tests of the 2017 season on Saturday as the Vols take on the Georgia Bulldogs in Knoxville. Butch Jones has fared well against Georgia, winning his last two games in the series. He’s going for three in a row this week.

Can he pull it off? Here’s what our staff thinks.

Terry Lambert: Georgia 27, Tennessee 13

Season record: (3-1)

I think we all could feel what was coming last week. Maybe not to that extent, but we all warned of an ugly game against UMass sandwiched between Florida and Georgia. Let’s hope that’s all it was.

I’ve wrestled with this pick all week. Part of me thinks that Georgia is just light years ahead of Tennessee. The other part of me says that Butch Jones comes out and gives the Bulldogs his best shot, as he does seemingly every year. At the end of the day, I just don’t think Tennessee has the offensive firepower to hang. I’ve got Georgia pulling away in the second half.

Noah Taylor: Georgia 17, Tennessee 20

Season record: (4-0)

I’m putting my undefeated record on picks this season on the line with this one. There absolutely no mystery who the underdog will be in Neyland Stadium on Saturday. Tennessee may enter this game at 3-1, but this is the game that is going to make and break their season. Forget Georgia Tech, forget Florida. This game is the biggest game on Tennessee’s schedule for a number of reasons.

A Tennessee win on Saturday changes the entire perception in Knoxville, and for that reason I am going to go with the Vols to get the major upset. If history is any indication, this may be the perfect set up for a win. We’ve seen heavily favored and more talented Georgia teams fall (or come dangerously close) to Tennessee before during the Jones era, especially when they need it.

Conner Knapp: Georgia 24, Tennessee 21

Season record: (3-1)

I feel like we say this nearly every week with Tennessee, but I have no idea what to expect on Saturday.

Tennessee looked lifeless in its 17-13 win against UMass last weekend and Butch Jones followed that up with an odd rant against the media on Monday. Tennessee appears to be somewhat in a state of dysfunction, but I think having a make-or-break game this week can rally the team to a great performance.

I think Tennessee will put forth its best effort of the season, I just don’t know if it’s going to be enough. In the end, I think Georgia’s defense will stop Tennessee one too many times.

Evan Winter: Georgia 24, Tennessee 14

Season record: (4-0)

This game reminds me a lot of the 2015 game in Neyland. The Vols are coming in with their backs against the wall and playing against a tough Georgia team.

Unfortunately, I don’t think the end result will be the same this time around. Tennessee simply does not have the offense to make plays against Georgia’s defense.