Georgia Bulldogs @ Tennessee Volunteers: What To Watch For

Sep 28, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; South Alabama Jaguars safety Terrell Brigham (18) forces Tennessee Volunteers running back Rajion Neal (20) out of bounds during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

One thing is for certain this weekend for Vol fans — you don’t want to see a freshmen quarterback against Georgia!

I think all Vol fans will agree with that.

If a freshmen QB ends up in the game, it means things have not went the way the Volunteers planned and Georgia is probably up big.

No matter what your opinion on Justin Worley happens to be, the only way Tennessee wins this game is if he plays well.

Here’s what we think you should watch for as the Vols take on the Bulldogs.

Can The Vols Stop Georgia?

The Georgia Bulldogs have been putting up points at an incredible rate this season.

Currently Georgia is ninth in the country in passing yards per game (345) and 22nd in points scored per game (41.3).

The Vols don’t want to get into a shootout with Georgia. There’s no way that Tennessee’s offense can go “tit for tat” with the Bulldogs.

If Tennessee has any plans of winning this game, they’ll have to come up with big stops. That will be easier said than done.

Georgia’s leading rusher, Todd Gurley, is uncertain for the game. If he can’t go, Keith Marshall will start in his place.

Obviously not having a dynamic player like Gurley will be a blow to the Bulldogs, but not something they can’t overcome.

If there is one silver lining for the Vols, it’s the fact that Aaron Murray is not a running QB. That’s been an area where the Vols have struggled big-time this season. They struggled against Oregon and Florida and they even struggled last week against South Alabama.

Can The Vols Offense Get It Going? 

Tennessee’s offense has not been pretty this season, to say the least.

The Vols have had flashes, but that’s all it’s been — flashes.

Tennessee’s biggest problem is the lack of a receiver stepping up and being “the guy”.

Highly touted freshman wide receiver Marquez North is still coming into his own and esteemed slot receiver Pig Howard has been battling through some injuries.

The Vols have the running backs to compete with Georgia, but if they really want to get their offense going, they need a receiver to step up.

North has the ability to be that guy. There won’t be a better week for North to have his coming out party than on national television.

In addition to receiver emerging for the Vols, Justin Worley will have to prove he can be a consistent passer. Worley has been a good game manager, but that isn’t enough if you want to win crucial games in the SEC.

Will The Vols Continue To Force Turnovers At A High Rate? 

The Vols are currently averaging three forced turnovers a game. That leads the SEC.

If the Vols plan on beating Georgia, they will have to keep up that pace.

Butch Jones made forced turnovers a point of emphasis for the Vols and they’ve responded appropriately.

Cam Sutton and Brent Brewer have been ball hawks this season and lead the charge for a much-improved Vols defense. Jones hasn’t been able to install everything he wants on the defensive side of the ball, but what we’ve seen so far has been very encouraging.

Tennessee will have to force at least three turnovers to beat Georgia. More importantly they’ll have to lead in the points off turnovers category.

Will The Fans Show Up, 102,455 Strong? 

Over 97,000 Vol fans showed up for Butch Jones’ first game as the Vols head coach.

Since then, the crowds have decreased each week.

That’s extremely disheartening. Especially with all the positive vibes that Jones has going around Rocky Top these days.

The student section has been a particular sore spot. Jones has called upon the students for support, something that no football coach in the SEC (save Vanderbilt) should ever have to do.

As of Thursday afternoon, the students had bought 11,000 of their 12,000 allotted tickets.

That’s great, but the student section should’ve been sold out days ago.

If the Vols can’t put 102,455 fans in the stands for a nationally televised game against Georgia, then they have every right to call out the fans.

This is Tennessee.

The rest of the country needs to see that Tennessee is still as proud and tradition rich as anyone in the nation.

In my experience, there isn’t a better place to spend a Saturday in the fall.