GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Georgia might rank No. 4 in the SEC in scoring defense, but the Bulldogs are No. 7 in the nation, allowing a stingy 13.3 points in the first four games. Despite the success, Kirby Smart’s defense has not needed to put much pressure on opposing quarterbacks. At least not yet. The Bulldogs have just three sacks on the year, tying them with Kansas State and Wisconsin for fewest among Power Five programs.
Tennessee’s offensive line is still very much a work in progress. Florida routinely pestered the Vols’ Jarrett Guarantano, forcing the quarterback from the game with a knee injury during the third quarter of the one-sided Gators’ win. The sophomore signal-caller is expected back under center this week, but plenty of growing pains remains for a team averaging 2.9 yards per carry on the ground.
“It takes all five, so to me there’s a lot to finishing blocks,” coach Jeremy Pruitt said of the offensive line. “I thought this week we were much cleaner and going in the right direction and playing with the right pad level. As the game wore on, I didn’t see guys finishing the way they were in the first half. Sometimes, the runners have to press the holes a little bit.”
DRAFT SLANT
–FS Micah Abernathy posted a tackle for loss and broke up a pass in Week 4 against Florida, continuing the strong start for the veteran free safety. With 14 tackles on the year, the senior now has 173 for his career. Abernathy is a leader on a defense that has allowed the fewest first downs in the SEC (No. 14 in the nation).
ROSTER REPORT:
–LB Quart’e Sapp remains with the program, despite rumors of his departure. Jeremy Pruitt asked Sapp to leave the sideline during the Florida game after the junior allegedly refused to enter the game — an allegation Sapp denies. Sapp was fourth on the team in tackles (78) as a sophomore but has tallied just three assisted takedowns this year, all coming in the season opener. “Since I’ve been here, he has been a really good ambassador to our football program, to our team, and he’s been a good leader on our team,” Pruitt said of Sapp. “Everybody mistakes, so we’re going to move on, and we’ll go from there.”
–RG Chance Hall’s bothersome knee appears on the mend. Pruitt has been hesitant to rush the right guard back to duty, but the redshirt junior could suit up against Georgia.
–DE John Mincey could return to action this week after missing the Florida game with an elbow injury. The freshman defensive end has two tackles on the year and has provided nice depth in a reserve role behind Shy Tuttle, Alexis Johnson and Kyle Phillips along the Vols defensive front.
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