The Georgia Bulldogs take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Georgia is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -170. Tennessee, meanwhile, comes in at +142 to pull off the upset. The total sits at 49.5 points.
The Bulldogs have won 8 straight iterations of this rivalry dating back to 2017. In the most recent matchup, Georgia picked up a 31-17 victory in Athens.
Now, the matchup shifts to Knoxville, where the Vols are breaking in a new quarterback and looking to get back to the College Football Playoff for the 2nd consecutive season.
Here’s my Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 13.
Georgia vs Tennessee Prediction
- Georgia vs. Tennessee Pick: 1H Over 24.5 or Better
My Tennessee vs. Georgia best bet is on both teams to go over the first-half total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Georgia vs Tennessee Odds
| Georgia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -108 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | -170 |
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -112 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | +142 |
- Georgia vs Tennessee Spread: Georgia -3.5, Tennessee +3.5
- Georgia vs Tennessee Over/Under: 49.5 Points
- Georgia vs Tennessee Moneyline: Georgia -170, Tennessee +142
Georgia vs Tennessee Preview
Georgia Bulldogs Betting Preview: Market Fading Dawgs
Despite Georgia's recent domination in the series, the Bulldogs have been heavily faded in the betting market since opening as touchdown favorites against Tennessee.
The Volunteers haven't closed within two touchdowns in this series since 2016, with eight consecutive victories going in the way of the Bulldogs.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was quick to point out that recent history doesn't mean much for future games, but slowing down the tempo against the Volunteers is at the top of the agenda.
While Smart would prefer a grind on the ground, the explosiveness comes from slot Zachariah Branch and wideout Colbie Young. Each player has nine targets from quarterback Gunner Stockton, who has yet to complete a big-time throw despite facing Austin Peay and Marshall.
Meanwhile, the Georgia defense has not performed to the standard set in previous seasons, currently ranking mid-FBS in Havoc and Finishing Drives.
The leading pressures from the defense come at the linebacker positions with Chris Cole and Raylen Wilson. The best part of the defense has come against the run, ranking top-11 in Stuff Rate and Defensive Line Yards through two games.
Georgia has been superior in getting opponents into passing downs, but it currently ranks 72nd in creating a contested catch.
The slot cornerbacks will be tested against Tennessee, as Joenel Aguero and Rasean Dinkins have each given up opponent passer ratings over 116 while allowing all seven targets to be caught.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview: Big QB on Campus
The portal trade at the quarterback position looks to be a positive for Tennessee through two games. Former Appalachian State signal-caller Joey Aguilar has five touchdowns with no interceptions or turnover-worthy plays.
Wideout Chris Brazzell II has been the biggest beneficiary of the new quarterback, hauling in two touchdowns with an explosive 3.8 yards per route run.
With a Success Rate and Finishing Drives rank inside the top 20, head coach Josh Heupel's team boasts the explosiveness and efficiency that was missing from the 2024 Volunteers offense.
The defensive success that carried Tennessee to the College Football Playoff a year ago also remains present for coordinator Tim Banks. In fact, the Vols rank seventh in Havoc entering Week 3.
Edge Joshua Josephs has already generated seven pressures, while cornerbacks Ty Redmond and Colton Hood have two pass breakups apiece.
Georgia vs Tennessee Pick, Betting Analysis
The Tennessee-Georgia series has played in fifth gear during the first half for nearly a decade. Since 2019, every iteration of this series has seen at least 30 points on the scoreboard in the first half.
Smart indicated that simulating the speed and physicality of the Tennessee offense can be a challenge.
Heupel's stretch-spread offense is based on a power running game with multiple vertical routes downfield. This could present issues for a Georgia defense that has had problems when it comes to creating a contested catch.
Six different cornerbacks have received significant time for Georgia so far, allowing 13-of-21 targets to be caught.
The Tennessee defense may also be susceptible to the explosive play, ranking outside the top 100 in Rush Success Rate and EPA.
Georgia running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens have averaged at least 3.5 yards after first contact, forcing 10 missed tackles through two games.
Stockton could be the factor that generates enough first downs to put the Bulldogs in scoring position. The first-year starter has already posted two rushing touchdowns and 44 yards on designed attempts.
Pick: 1H Over 24.5 or Better
