The Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers will get their first real test of the 2025 college football season this week in what has been quite the one-sided rivalry over the past decade. The Bulldogs have won eight in a row against the Vols, and 13 of the last 15 meetings, but both teams are stacked to the brim with talent this season.

Georgia has looked like they’ve been playing on autopilot through two weeks against Marshall and Austin Peay, winning easily, but looking far less than perfect doing so. Kirby Smart has expressed how important it is that his quarterback Gunner Stockton start creating some explosive passing plays, and that might be the most important aspect of the game against Tennessee.

Tennessee started fast against Syracuse, but let them back into the game Week 1. If Josh Heupel and his Vols want to beat Georgia they are going to have to never let up like that. The biggest questions–just like with Georgia–likely still come down to the new starting quarterback in Joey Aguilar. Can he and Tennessee’s offense get the job done against the Bulldogs? It’s been nearly a decade since the Vols have scored more than 21 points against Georgia.

Given how important this game could prove to be for both teams, media members of A to Z Sports who cover both teams came together to weigh in, sharing their final score predictions for how this game might play out. Who will win? The picks are in. Enjoy!

Georgia 24, Tennessee 20

This is probably Tennessee’s best chance to beat Georgia since Josh Heupel’s arrival in Knoxville in 2021. The Vols’ offense has looked terrific early this season against lesser competition. That’s a good sign for a team that’s unexpectedly starting a new quarterback in Joey Aguilar this fall. Kirby Smart, however, has been a master at stopping Tennessee’s offense. I think you have to give Smart the benefit of the doubt when it comes to stopping Heupel’s offense. Until they show me otherwise, Georgia has Tennessee’s number. I think this game is close, but I think Georgia’s defense comes up with a late stop to win the game. Georgia 24 Tennessee 20. – Zach Ragan

Tennessee 26, Georgia 20

If Gunner Stockton plays like he has so far in 2025 then Georgia will not be winning this football game. He is not seeing the field well, taking far too many cheap underneath dink and dunk throws. Being a game manager works against Marshall and Austin Peay–not in the SEC. Not in a year where over a half dozen teams in the conference have stacked rosters that are coming closer and closer to the level of talent that Georgia puts out onto the field. Georgia is currently tied for 65th in pass plays of 20+ yards. 104th in passing plays of 30+ yards. Stockton is barely ranked inside the top 100 in average depth of target. The Bulldogs must open up their passing game if they want to find success, and they might just not be able to do that with consistent success this year.

The Vols aren’t without questions either, but unlike Georgia they haven’t displayed a single weakness on offense so far. It’s been against weaker competition in Syracuse and East Tennessee State, but the Vols rank top 20 among all FBS teams in EPA per play, success rate, and a handful of other key rate stats already. Their ground game needs to continue its success as the most important part of Heupel’s offense, and the receiving weapons need to find quick separation if Joey Aguilar is going to survive Georgia’s pass rush. However, in the end, the Vols win a close one 26-20 as their offense creates a few more explosive plays than Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. – Travis May

Tennessee 31, Georgia 27

This week will be huge test for Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton considering Georgia’s road game against Tennessee on Saturday marks his first matchup with an SEC opponent as the Dawgs’ QB1 (from the beginning of the game). While he’s flashed some dual-threat abilities, Stockton still has to prove he’s not afraid of throwing it downfield. But it’s not only Stockton who will be in the spotlight. Georgia’s defense still needs to show they’re just as dominate as in years past. It’s concerning that both sides of the ball struggled against Austin Peay and the Bulldogs cannot make those same mistakes against the Vols. Somehow, Georgia is favored by nearly a touchdown, though I think this game is going to be closer. With the Bulldogs still having a ton to prove, I see Tennessee taking advantage of Georgia’s weak spots and exposing their inexperienced QB a little too well. The Vols come out on top, 31-27. – Kelsey Kramer

Georgia 27, Tennessee 23

The atmosphere inside Neyland Stadium is going to be truly spectacular, akin to the 2022 Alabama version. Why? Because this feels like a year where Tennessee truly can slay the dragon and defeat Georgia, just like it felt that way with the 2022 team against the Crimson Tide. But, for me, I still see Georgia with an advantage in area where they’ve held a clear one every time that Josh Heupel and Kirby Smart have faced off–in the trenches. Tennessee will have a late lead on Saturday, but their defense can’t get the one stop they need to win. This game is FINALLY a close, one score game that lives up to the hype, but until Tennessee shows it can stand up to Georgia physically, I’m taking the Bulldogs. – Craig Smith

The betting markets currently believe this game is Georgia’s to win be about four or five points. Our A to Z Sports team has this game as a pure coin flip with maybe a half-point to a point edge in favor of the Vols (25-24 on average). Could this finally be the year that the Vols take down Kirby Smart? We’ll find out soon enough.

We’ll be back with more Tennessee Vols & Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!