Tennessee salvaged its season in the second half of last week’s Florida game, scoring 35 points after trailing 21-3 at halftime to win 38-28.

Their reward? A game against the Georgia Bulldogs in a matchup that could decide the SEC East title.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones said the Vols aren’t taking Georgia lightly, even after the Bulldogs were blown out by Ole Miss last weekend:

“Kirby has done a good job of putting his stamp on that program,” he said. “[Georgia’s] going to be a challenge in our first road game this season.”

However, Jones added that the Vols have a lot of confidence after coming from behind to take down Florida last week:

“First of all, we’ve had a lot of adversity this season, much of it our own doing,” he said. “Now we believe. Last week, we lived and died off one play. Our players love to compete and they have not flinched.”

The Bulldogs may be without RB Nick Chubb this weekend after the star back sprained his ankle against the Rebels, but Jones said Tennessee will be prepared for him just in case:

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, as good a player as he is he’s an even better person. If they don’t have him, they will have someone ready because they are so talented and deep there. I hurt for him. We are prepared to face Nick Chubb.”

After defeating Florida last week, the Volunteers still have three more tough games before an Oct. 22 bye week — this Saturday at Georgia, Oct. 8 at Texas A&M and home vs. Alabama on Oct. 15.

Jones called the Vols’ four-game stretch one of the most challenging he’s ever seen, but said he’s trying to keep his team focused on this Saturday’s game:

“Our goal is to be 1-0 this week,” he said. “We have competed against UGA in the past and we understand the challenge we face this week.

“We can’t look ahead, just win each day,” he continued. “Sounds like coach speak, but it’s the truth. We will be tested mentality and physically.”

The Vols will be tested even more because star DB Cam Sutton is still out with an ankle injury. Jones said it’ll be tough to play without one of the team’s leaders:

“Any time you take away an all-conference player, it’s a challenge,” he said. “You can’t replace him — his productivity on and most of all off the field. Right now it’s up to his body. There’s a possibility that he can return for the last couple games of the year.”

Tennessee and Georgia will square off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. The game can be seen on CBS.