Kirk Herbstreit shares why Georgia may have an advantage over Tennessee in Week 3 showdown
By Jyesha Nance
Published:
Two Southeastern Conference rivals will meet for the 54th time on Saturday under the primetime lights in Knoxville
Georgia and Tennessee have developed one of the SEC’s most intense rivalries over the years, with the Bulldogs holding a 29-23-2 all-time edge over the Volunteers. However, the Bulldogs have won 8 games in a row in this series, including the last 4 with Josh Heupel at the helm in Knoxville.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit sees an edge for Georgia with Kirby Smart matched up against Heupel.
“Josh Heupel’s offenses are tough for most people to stop, but Kirby Smart and Georgia is like the kryptonite to Josh Heupel over these last four and five years,” Herbstreit said. [Georgia] have been able to really completely diffuse that offense and their firepower, and it’s because they’re typically so good at the deafen line spot. Will that play out in this one? We’ll have to wait and see.”
Under head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers have struggled mightily in this series, averaging 4.43 yards per play and 14.3 points per game in their last four meetings with the Bulldogs. By comparison, Tennessee has posted 6.4 yards per play and 31.9 points per game across all SEC matchups during Heupel’s tenure.
Both teams enters this year’s meeting in a transition. Each has new quarterbacks at the helm and has been forced to rebuild after losing several key contributors to the 2025 NFL Draft. For Tennessee, however, the challenge has been especially steep against Georgia.
Tennessee is an underdog in this matchup against the Bulldogs, per the latest betting odds:
Georgia and Tennessee will kick off at Neyland Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and broadcast on ESPN.
