Another Big Game Awaits as #2 Vols Prep for Trip to Athens

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Another week, another opportunity for No. 2 Tennessee to prove itself on the national stage as the Volunteers prepare to head south for the marquee matchup in college football this week against No. 1 Georgia.

The Big Orange were back on the practice field Tuesday morning as they prepare for one of the most highly anticipated games in college football this season.

During Tuesday’s media availabilities, both coaches and players talked about the extreme challenges they will face this Saturday on the road in Athens against the defending national champions.

Tennessee’s defense is coming off its best showing of the season in last week’s 44-6 demolition of Kentucky, utilizing a physical brand of football on all three levels to hold the Wildcats to 205 total yards and just 98 passing yards.

The Vols will need to build off that performance in order to keep Georgia’s well-balanced and versatile offense in check on Saturday. For linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, that starts with stopping the run as well as keeping the Bulldogs’ playmaking quarterback Stetson Bennett in check.

“Defensively, we still always hang our hat on trying to stop the run,” Jean-Mary said. “You don’t ever just say you’re going to take one aspect away, but it always starts with run defense with most defenses. So, we want to make sure that we can take the run away, but obviously we’ve made the pass a big point of emphasis for us.”

Jean-Mary emphasized that he believes Bennett is one of the top signal callers in the nation and that his experience, paired with his playmaking ability, presents numerous challenges for defenses.

“When I watch the tape, I see a very, very good quarterback,” Jean-Mary said. “I see a guy that led them to a national championship last year and can make all the throws. He’s versatile enough to get out on the perimeter, is elusive enough that he does not take sacks, and really is the catalyst to their offense. He makes some big-time throws, and he is able to extend some plays. He is, to us, one of the better quarterbacks we have seen so far this year, and I know we have seen some really good quarterbacks.”  

UT’s offense, which ranks No. 1 nationally in points per game (49.4), has been clicking on all cylinders and will need another big performance this weekend in order to come away with a win against the Bulldogs, who enter the contest with the No. 2 ranked scoring defense in the FBS (10.5 ppg).   

Should the Vols come away victorious,…