Week 12 of college football brings with it a few huge rivalry matchups with massive playoff implications and Georgia vs. Tennessee is certainly the biggest one of them all. Kirby Smart and Georgia have dominated this rivalry for much of the last decade, but Josh Heupel and company have put together one the best Vols teams of this century. Who will win this epic playoff-defining matchup?

Tennessee's defense has shut down almost everyone this year, but Nico Iamaleava has looked inconsistent at times. Georgia has looked like one of the best teams in the country for much of the season, but Carson Beck's interceptions have derailed the team in critical moments.

Heading into this epic battle between the Vols and the Bulldogs media members of A to Z Sports who cover both teams decided to weigh in, sharing their predictions for this incredible SEC rivalry game.

Georgia 27, Tennessee 19

Georgia and Kirby Smart will be furious coming off an embarrassing 28-10 loss to Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin last week. They get things right this week with a couple explosive passes from Carson Beck to Arian Smith, some more consistent runs from Nate Frazier or Trevor Etienne, and their pass rush looks as ferocious as it did against Texas.

Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava might not be himself this week as he's been in concussion protocol following last Saturday's win over Mississippi State. Josh Heupel will have his top five FBS defense ready to go, which might make this a low-scoring affair, but ultimately Georgia wins. This will only further complicate the SEC race for College Football Playoff spot(s). – Travis May

Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs should be pissed off heading into Week 12 vs Tennessee

This is your warning, Tennessee.

Georgia 30, Tennessee 21

Georgia should be coming into this game pissed off not only after their loss to Ole Miss but also after the CFB playoff committee snubbed them from the playoff picture heading into Week 12. The last time Georgia appeared this mad, they shut down then-No. 1 Texas. Tennessee’s offense is far from being that elite and they rely heavily on the ground game so it shouldn’t be too tough for the Dawgs to stop them.

The Vols’ defense, however, is playing at a high level and there is a lot of pressure on Carson Beck to have a perfect game. But if the Bulldogs can cut it out with the silly turnovers and shut down Tennessee’s run game, then they’ll be locked back into playoffs. I think an angry Georgia team can pull that off. – Kelsey Kramer 

Tennessee 24, Georgia 16

Yeah, I'm actually going to buck trends and pull the trigger here. Georgia has a 28-game home winning streak. Tennessee can't figure out how to play on the road. It doesn't make sense.

However, I can't begin to emphasize how good that Volunteer defensive front is. If you thought last week was tough, this week is going to be just as challenging with James Pearce Jr. and a host of good players rotating in all game. I see more mistakes and turnovers in Carson Beck's future with the Vols being able to significantly slow the Bulldogs' ground game. – Craig Smith

Georgia 20, Tennessee 17

Tennessee has a huge opportunity in Athens this weekend. The Vols can set themselves up for a trip to Atlanta with a win and unlike in previous seasons, Georgia is “gettable” after showing some cracks in the armor over the first two months of the season. Tennessee, however, has plenty of cracks of their own. The Vols’ defense has been fantastic this season, thanks to a deep and talented defensive line and a secondary that’s playing better than expected.

Tennessee’s offense, surprisingly, is where there are question marks. The Vols haven’t played a complete offensive game against a quality opponent yet this season. And two of Tennessee’s best players (Nico Iamaleava and Dont’e Thornton) could be questionable for this matchup. I think the Vols’ defense keeps them in the game, but I have to give the edge to Georgia since the game is in Athens and Tennessee has consistently had trouble on the road under Josh Heupel. – Zach Ragan

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