On Saturday, No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Tennessee will meet between the hedges for the first ever 1-2 matchup in Sanford Stadium history.
With both teams undefeated and the SEC East driver’s seat at stake, it is the biggest regular season game in recent Georgia history and unquestionably the biggest of the Kirby Smart era. It’s only the third top-five matchup in the history of Sanford (1983 & 1942).
The importance of this one isn’t lost on Smart. The seventh-year head coach issued a challenge to UGA fans during his Monday press conference.
“Our guys are excited and looking forward to a top matchup in Sanford Stadium,” said Smart. “I know our fanbase will be loud and proud. I want to challenge our fans – I mean everyone talks about the Notre Dame game (in 2019) – we want it to be louder than that and we want them to be here earlier than that. We’ve had some big matchups here in the past and I thought (the fans) have really affected those games.
“We’ll need them again. We need them to be ready to go.”
Georgia (8-0, 5-0 SEC) is coming off a 42-20 beating of Florida in Jacksonville last weekend and the Bulldogs have knocked off the rival Volunteers in five straight meetings. UGA holds the all-time series advantage, 26-23-2 but this is a different UT team. Tennessee (8-0, 4-0) is fresh off its 44-6 beating of Kentucky in Knoxville last weekend and the Vols are perhaps the hottest team in the country under second-year head coach Josh Heupel.
Behind Heisman Trophy contender Hendon Hooker at quarterback, the UT offense is scoring 49.4 points per game, the most in the country through eight games. Hooker has thrown for 2,338 yards and 21 touchdowns against just one interception. He is completing 71% of his passes (156-219) and has rushed for 358 yards and four more scores.
On the other side, UGA’s defense is second in scoring, allowing just 10.5 points per game to opponents. This weekend in Athens, something’s gotta’ give. On Monday, Smart played the “it’s just another game” card in front of the media. That’s expected, but see if you believe this from the UGA coach.
“We don’t prepare for games any differently based on rankings,” he said of the 1-2 matchup. “I didn’t even know the rankings were what they were. It’s a big game, right? There’s nothing about a number being in front of it making it bigger. It’s a big game regardless because both of the teams are in the (SEC) East.”
Suuure Kirby. We believe you. Just another SEC game. Nothing special about this one.
Despite what Smart says, this one is as big as it’ll ever get. By definition, it actually can’t get any bigger than this. No. 1 versus No. 2, in a rivalry game, in your conference, in your division and with plenty of College Football Playoff implications on the line.
A Georgia win means the Bulldogs would be a virtually lock to return to Atlanta come SEC Championship time next month. A loss would send Bulldog nation into a tailspin and have Smart’s team looking up at the Vols for the remainder of the regular season. It could also keep Georgia out of a potential CFP appearance, and that would mean the entire season was a disappointment, despite what came before or what comes after.
This game means everything and even if he’s not letting on, Smart knows that better than anyone. Georgia opened as a 9-point betting favorite in Las Vegas. Kickoff is set for 3:30 on CBS.
Follow Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at [email protected].
