There are lots of reasons to believe Tennessee football can upset Georgia on Saturday and end the Bulldogs’ eight-game winning streak against the Volunteers. However, Kirby Smart’s team is still elite, and they have plenty of great players all over the field. If UT is going to beat UGA, these are the five Dawgs the Vols have to keep an eye on.
5. Gunner Stockton, QB
He has struggled severely and is now making his first start on the road, so the Vols should be excited about facing quarterback Gunner Stockton. However, at the end of the day, he is mobile, and he can make plays. With both of their starting cornerbacks out, the Vols have to not just contain Stockton but force him to play poorly if they’re going to win.
4. C.J. Allen, LB
A huge part of Tennessee football establishing its offense, especially with the new Josh Heupel wrinkles, is making sure plays are made over the middle. C.J. Allen will be crucial to stopping that. The Georgia linebacker had 76 total tackles last year, three of which were solo, and the Dawgs have been saving him through two games this year. They will likely turn him loose Saturday.
3. Oscar Delp, TE
Nate Frazier was supposed to be the star at running back, but he hasn’t been great this year, and Dwight Phillips Jr. has almost been on his level. As a result, to give Stockton a safety blanket, expect Georgia to go to its tight ends in the flat, meaning Oscar Delp will get a lot of touches. Arion Carter has to prove himself in coverage, and this is the game for him to do it.
2. K.J. Bolden, DB
With Mike Matthews, UT may have its first chance ever to be able to stretch out Georgia’s secondary thanks to speed at the wideout position. However, UGA always has an elite secondary, and defensive back K.J. Bolden is the star of the group. If Joey Aguilar is going to be able to beat them deep, he will have to account for Bolden at safety, who will be all over the field.
1. Christen Miller, DL
Despite looking elite through two games, the new Tenenssee football offensive line hasn’t proven anything yet on the interior. The Vols will have to run the ball vertically for the Heupel offense to go, and they’ll be tested against UGA’s defensive line. Christen Miller is the star of the group and argubly the best player on the team. If UT is going to win, it has to control him.
