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Will Tennessee be able to stop Todd Gurley, Georgia running backs?
By Jason Hall
Published:
It’s one of the most interesting matchups of Week 5. Tennessee’s young defense vs. No. 12 Georgia’s the three-headed monster at running back.
The Vols (2-1) travel to Athens for their annual SEC East rivalry game against the Bulldogs Saturday at Sanford Stadium. Through three games, Tennessee’s defense looks improved, holding opponents to a 23.26 percent third down efficiency, an average of 3.87 yards per carry and 129 yards per game.
They face a Georgia rushing attack that ranks No. 12 in the nation and has totaled 912 yards through three games. The Bulldogs currently have an average of 304 yards per game and 7.73 yards per carry.
Todd Gurley– an early Heisman favorite– leads Georgia with 402 yards and four touchdowns on 41 attempts. The junior is averaging 134 yards per game and 9.8 yards per carry. Blue chip freshmen Sony Michel and Nick Chubb have also contributed through their first three collegiate games. Michel enters Saturday’s game with 206 yards, three touchdowns and 10.3 yards per carry on 20 attempts, while Chubb has 114 yards, a touchdown and 9.5 yards per carry on 12 rushes.
A.J Johnson will be the biggest factor to answering Georgia’s frightening running game. Johnson has a team-best 29 tackles and is averaging 9.67 per game. The Gainesville, Ga., native will play his final collegiate game in his home state on Saturday and will look to finally capture a win over the rival Bulldogs.
Outside linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin will also play a major role in Tennessee’s defensive success. The sophomore has emerged as a solid contributor after spending his freshman season on special teams, leading the unit with 11 tackles. Reeves-Maybin is second to Johnson with 25 tackles and is averaging 8.33 per game.
The Vols will also need to see a solid performance from their young defensive line. Tennessee entered the season with zero returning starters in the trenches, but have looked impressive thus far.
Derek Barnett– the first true freshman in school history to open the season at defensive end– has lived up to expectations and should provide another strong performance on Saturday. Jordan and Owen Williams will need to step up at defensive tackle facing a ground game capable of breaking through would-be tacklers in the trenches.
Tennessee fields its most talented defensive unit in recent memory. However, the young group will have its hands full facing a Georgia running game that ranks among the best in the nation. It will be interesting to see how the Vols fare against Gurley and a stable of talented running backs.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
