ESPN has strong take on Tennessee Vols in 2023
ESPN isn't known for giving the Tennessee Vols a lot of love, but their take on UT football in 2023 should please fans. The national sports media outlet put together a short list of teams that they think can challenge the Georgia Bulldogs, the defending two-time national champions, in 2023. And Tennessee was one of […]
ESPN isn't known for giving the Tennessee Vols a lot of love, but their take on UT football in 2023 should please fans.
The national sports media outlet put together a short list of teams that they think can challenge the Georgia Bulldogs, the defending two-time national champions, in 2023.
And Tennessee was one of the teams included on the list.
ESPN's Heather Dinich listed the Vols as one of four teams that are "equipped" to take on Georgia.
Alabama, Ohio State, and LSU are the other three teams that she included.
From ESPN: The Vols will have home field advantage on Nov. 18. This time, they have to be ready for the spotlight — and Georgia's physical defense. Hendon Hooker was sacked six times last year, the crowd noise seemed to contribute to a series of false starts and the Vols lost a fumble and an interception. According to ESPN's Stats & Info, Georgia blitzed Hooker 43% of the time — second only to the 48% against Ohio State's Stroud. Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton has to handle an extra rusher, and he fared well when blitzed in the Orange Bowl against Clemson, completing 9 of 13 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Georgia took them out of their rhythm, which is their offensive identity, and the Vols were unable to score quickly, allowing the Bulldogs to control the tempo. Tennessee can't settle for field goals again and has to convert on third downs to extend drives.
Interestingly, the matchup between the Vols and the Bulldogs is more important for Georgia than it is for Tennessee.
If the Vols lose to Georgia, they still have a path to the playoff as long as they take care of business against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Florida in Gainesville (and the rest of their schedule, obviously).
The Bulldogs, however, could find themselves in a scenario where their weak schedule leaves them on the outside looking in with a loss — especially if the Vols run the table and win the SEC East. Georgia's lack of a "signature victory" would be absent without a win against Tennessee.
Still, the Bulldogs will be favored in this matchup. And Tennessee will have to play a near-perfect game to get the win. But after watching the major step forward the Vols took last season, I certainly wouldn't rule out Josh Heupel getting his first win over Kirby Smart in 2023.
