CHICK-FIL-A KICKOFF GAME
NO. 25 TENNESSEE vs. GEORGIA TECH
8 p.m. » Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta » ESPN & 102.3/106.5 FM
THE MATCHUP
The first game between these former Southeastern Conference rivals in 30 years is a battle of unknowns, especially for the offenses. Atlantic Coast Conference member Georgia Tech will run its signature run-heavy flexbone system, but its quarterback and primary running back will be new to starting roles. Tennessee will break in a new quarterback and new offensive coordinator Larry Scott against a defense that returns eight starters. Both teams went 9-4 last season, with all four losses coming in their conferences. Georgia Tech has won five of its past six games games against Southeastern Conference opponents, but the Volunteers have won six straight games played at neutral sites. Something must give, and Tennessee hopes it won’t be big plays. Georgia Tech ranked seventh in the country with 38 runs of 20 yards or more last season. Tennessee was tied for 110th out of 128 teams by allowing 27 rushes of 20 or more yards.
ONES TO WATCH
It will be intriguing to see what Scott has planned for an offense that is expected to be led, at least to begin the game, by junior quarterback Quinten Dormady. Tennessee put up a school record in points (473) and totaled more yards (5,794) last season under departed offensive coordinator Mike DeBord than it had since Peyton Manning was the quarterback in the 1990s. Now Scott, promoted from tight ends coach, takes the reins for play calling and will put his own spin on the offense. Scott said his biggest unknown is how a young group of skill players behind junior running back John Kelly and junior receiver Jauan Jennings will perform. “We’ve practiced for a month and a half or two months now, and you kind of get settled into the practice routine of things and being able to perform in a practice setting,” Scott said. “Now when you go out and put the element of a jumbotron, and sixty- or seventy-thousand people, it’ll be interesting to see how the kids respond.”
IN THE END
The Vols have had months to mentally and physically prepare for Georgia Tech’s unique offensive style. That should help minimize the amount of major meltdowns the defense experiences against the flexbone scheme, which includes lots of triple-option plays. Later in the season, this would be a more dangerous matchup for the Vols. With the Yellow Jackets acclimating to a new quarterback and top running back, however, Tennessee won’t be playing a team that has found an offensive groove yet. Georgia Tech turned heads with a blowout victory over Vanderbilt, a road win over Georgia and a comfortable bowl defeat of Kentucky last season. The Vols are aware of Tech’s potency and won’t be caught off guard. After last year’s Battle at Bristol win over Virginia Tech in front of a record crowd for college football, this big stage – a Monday night game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that will be shown on ESPN – won’t intimidate the Vols.
PREDICTION: Tennessee 34, Georgia Tech 23