Get your tailgate accouterments together; it’s time to go between the hedges as we preview Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech. Georgia is coming off a dominating performance as they took care of business last week against Clemson. Georgia dominated the Tigers in the second half, turning a 6-0 halftime lead into a commanding 34-3 win. Along with the victory, the team continued their streak of accolades, picking up two SEC Player of the Week honors. Quarterback Carson Beck earned Offensive Player of the Week after completing 22 of 33 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Kicker Peyton Woodring was named Special Teams Player of the Week for going 2/2 on field goals and converting all four extra points. The Bulldogs return to Athens this week to face FCS Tennessee Tech. Here are five key questions to get you ready for the game.
Five Questions for Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech
What Are the Game Details?
ABC and ESPN have worked to flex-schedule the SEC, moving games beyond noon, 3:30, and late kick-off starts. Georgia will play its first mid-afternoon game of the season.
Opponent: Tennessee Tech
History: Georgia leads the series 2-0
Last meeting: Georgia won 38-0 in 2009
Date and Time: Saturday, September 7 | 2:00 p.m. EST
Location: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium
Television: ESPN+
Spread: N/A
Over/Under: N/A
Sanford, WE BACK‼️#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/WNk1tfyRkt
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) September 4, 2024
The Case for 9 SEC Conference Games
Georgia’s schedule in 2024 is a textbook case for why the SEC needs to move to nine (or ten) conference games. No offense to Tennessee Tech and the other FCS teams that dot the SEC’s home schedules, but the fans and media deserve more. Georgia should win this game convincingly, and it will be over, for all intents and purposes, sometime during the second quarter. This is a tough sell for fans who must pay a lot of money to get their tickets.
Georgia’s home schedule does not stack up to its two neutral site contests and road games in Tuscaloosa, Austin, and Oxford. The home fans will still get to see Auburn at homecoming and Tennessee in November, but we can all agree that an additional SEC opponent (or two) would be more appealing than seeing the third and fourth stringers get time in the second half.
To make matters worse, Tennessee Tech had a losing season last year, going 4-7. How does this help Georgia or the Eagles? It’s time to make the move to nine or ten.
What Should You Watch for on Georgia’s Offense?
Hats off to Kirby Smart and the staff last week for taking the right action and suspending running back Trevor Etienne for the Clemson game. The move hopefully sends a message that the players have a standard to live up to on and off the field. Branson Robinson started in Etienne’s place but had difficulty getting going in the first half. That allowed true freshman Nate Frazier to get a few carriers.
The Compton, California native, took full advantage of his opportunity. Frazier averaged 7.5 yards a carry and scored a touchdown in the win. Frazier demonstrated why he was the #2 ranked running back in the Class of 2024. His performance included a touchdown, highlighted by a 42-yard cutback and a 24-yard gain from a short reception. Smart praised his moves, though with a familiar critique.
“The players will tell you, I get on him because he’s always out of control—foot to fire, going full speed, not realizing he might run into a wall,” Smart said. “I might’ve said some things I can’t repeat, but after that 50-yard cutback, I told him it’s OK now,” Smart said. “He seized his opportunity.” Saturday’s game against Tennessee Tech allows Robinson and Etienne to find their footing and help re-establish Georgia as RBU.
What Should You Watch for on Georgia’s Defense?
Malakai Starks continues to lead Georgia’s defense in 2024, a familiar role for Bulldog fans. A preseason All-American and first-team All-SEC pick, Starks has started nearly every game in his three years at Athens. On Saturday, he made a play that sparked déjà vu for many. With 9:26 left in the fourth quarter, Starks pulled off a leaping, twisting interception reminiscent of a similar feat from the 2022 season opener against Oregon. Smart was impressed, speaking about the play after the game. “The play he made today might be one of the best defensive plays I’ve ever seen in person. He twisted, contorted, and still found a way to get the ball. It was pretty.”
Starks wasn’t the only star last Saturday. The defensive unit set the tone and shut down Clemson’s offense. The Tigers were held under 200 yards and were just 4 of 13 on third downs. The game against Tennessee Tech presents another opportunity for the defense to exert its will on the opposition.
Déjà vu 🤯@StarksMalaki | #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/QmAcFKzUoD
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) September 1, 2024
Who Will Win Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech?
This is a no-brainer. Many SEC teams put up crooked numbers during Week 1 against their FCS opponents. This week should be similar for Georgia. A 2:00 p.m. kick-off and the game not being able to be streamed make this one an ideal second-screen game for Georgia fans. Georgia’s second and third stringers should get plenty of reps and action on Saturday at home between the hedges.
55 Georgia vs. Tennesee Tech 3
