Dan Mullen and Joey Galloway took an early crack at the big showdown in Athens this week between Tennessee and Georgia.

On ESPN’s “College Football Final,” Mullen said he was taken by the Vols’ defense since the offense is so well-known and typically carries the discussion about Big Orange.

“They showed up and played some defense, and they better bring that defense with them against a Georgia team that’s more balanced when they head to Athens,” Mullen said.

Galloway said Georgia’s gotten up for big games twice this season, against Oregon and Florida, and the Bulldogs have played well.

“In the middle of that, there’s been some lackluster performances, but Georgia’s proven, when it’s time to prove you’re one of the best teams in the country, they’re game,” Galloway said.

The game, which will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on the “SEC on CBS” will also have ESPN’s “College GameDay” and the SEC Network’s “SEC Nation” to preview the showdown.