‘It doesn’t feel good, not gonna lie’ — ESPN’s Greg McElroy picks a winner between Tennessee Vols and Georgia Bulldogs
The commentator could just barely get off the fence for a pick.
The Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Bulldogs are going to be in the spotlight on Saturday in what will be a rocking Neyland Stadium. With College Gameday in attendance and a 3:30 pm ET kickoff on ABC, the eyes of the nation will be on the Big Orange as they try to break an ugly 8-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.
One notable college football analyst is picking them to do just that – even though he doesn’t feel good about it. ESPN college football analyst and commentator Greg McElroy is picking the Vols, although he has some apparent hesitations about it.
McElroy is picking Tennessee even though he feels like Georgia is “waiting”
After analyzing the game, McElroy made his pick of Tennessee, and he admitted it’s one he has a hesitation about regarding Georgia kind of waiting in the weeds for this one.
“I’m taking Tennessee,” McElroy said. “Doesn’t feel good, not gonna lie, because Georgia, I feel like, I kind of waiting. I felt like they’ve been so conservative. They’ve kind of played their cards close to the vest. I wouldn’t be surprised if they came out and had by far their best performance of the season. And I know their defense is amazing. There’s a lot that I don’t know yet about Tennessee. But at least I’ve seen some firepower. At least I’ve seen some downfield shots hit, and at least I’ve seen a pass rush that appears to be really relentless, that might be able to neutralize the advantage that Georgia normally has against the opposing defensive line.
“I’m taking Tennessee. Doesn’t feel great, but I think they can get it done there in Neyland.”
McElroy hits on something that has certainly been absent over the last two years in the big plays in the passing game. Georgia is too good defensively to dink and dunk down the field with the running game and short passing game. They’re too fast and they’re too physical. Big plays have to happen, and the Bulldogs have been excellent at keeping those in check during their win streak in the rivalry.
But there’s little doubt that there’s a renewed confidence among the offense with Joey Aguilar under center. He’s not afraid to take shots deep and challenge a defense. Chris Brazzell II has looked improved from last year so far, and Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley have been good. The unit looks explosive and capable to pulling off the chunk plays that they’ll need in order to have a chance at pulling off the upset on Saturday.
We’ll find out soon enough if they can do it, with kickoff just a day away.
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