The Tennessee Volunteers (2-1) are hours away from opening their SEC schedule at No. 12 Georgia (2-1). For many of Tennessee’s roster, this will be the first appearance in an SEC road game. Though the young Vols lack experience, they possess talent at several skill positions.

Tailback Jalen Hurd leads Tennessee with 209 rushing yards and a touchdown on 48 carries. Former five-star prospect Josh Malone is expected to make his first start at wide receiver in the absence of Von Pearson and Josh Smith. Ethan Wolf and Daniel Helm are listed at the top of Tennessee’s tight depth chart for the tight end position.

Derek Barnett is the first true freshman in school history to open the season at defensive end. Todd Kelly Jr. is expected to make the biggest impact as a freshman safety since Eric Berry in 2007.

For these players, Saturday’s game will be the first of many tough tests in college football’s premiere conference. However, the Vols have a chance to redeem last season’s heartbreaking loss and shock the world with a major upset against a ranked opponent.

Despite inexperience, the Vols have the speed to compete with Georgia. In recent years, less talented Tennessee teams have competed in close games with far superior Bulldogs teams to the one we will see tomorrow.

Georgia’s strength lies in its running game. But if Tennessee’s linebackers can contain the three-headed beast of Todd Gurley, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, the pressure will be on Hutson Mason to take over. Mason has strived as a game manager, but failed to mount a comeback in the only game that saw Georgia trail in the fourth quarter– a 38-35 loss to No. 13 South Carolina.

Tennessee has a chance to show that it’s farther along in its rebuilding process than many perceived entering the season. With an upset, the Vols would be considered a serious contender in a wide open SEC East.