ESPN's Rece Davis makes strong statement about Tennessee's ability to compete with Georgia in 2023
ESPN's Rece Davis likes the Tennessee Vols in 2023, but he doesn't think they have what it takes to compete with the Georgia Bulldogs this fall. Davis joined Jim Donnan and Dayne Young to preview the 2023 college football season and he was asked if anyone can challenge Georgia in the SEC East. Tennessee has […]
ESPN's Rece Davis likes the Tennessee Vols in 2023, but he doesn't think they have what it takes to compete with the Georgia Bulldogs this fall.
Davis joined Jim Donnan and Dayne Young to preview the 2023 college football season and he was asked if anyone can challenge Georgia in the SEC East.
Tennessee has been viewed this offseason as the SEC East team most likely to give the Bulldogs some issues in 2023.
Davis, however, doesn't think Tennessee can beat Georgia when Georgia is playing at its best.
"I don't think there's anybody in Georgia's class in the East and that includes Tennessee," said Davis. "I do think Tennessee's going to be good and have a really good season."
"Anybody can win a game," continued Davis. "Let me rephrase that — anybody can lose a game. Especially if you go into a hostile environment with a lot of emotion and Georgia is riding, you know, a 20 some odd game winning streak by the time they go. Of course they can lose. And of course Tennessee's good enough to win the game. But in terms of Tennessee being at Georgia's level overall — the top to bottom roster standpoint, from a threat to win the national championship standpoint, I don't see it. I do think they're good. They're gonna be really good….I don't think, absent Georgia slipping up a little bit on that particular day, they're good enough (to beat Georgia at Georgia's best)."
"If both teams play their best, Georgia is the best team," added Davis.
Davis certainly gave Tennessee plenty of respect with his comments, but it's clear that he thinks the Vols still have some work to do to get to Georgia's level.
That's probably how most folks in college football feel — except for the folks in Tennessee's locker room. And they'll be eager to prove to everyone that they're on the same level as Georgia when the Bulldogs visit Knoxville in late November in what could be a key game in determining the winner of the SEC East.
National CFB writer takes his annual shot at Tennessee Vols just ahead of the 2023 season
A national college football writer took his annual shot at Tennessee Vols just ahead of the 2023 season
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
