Georgia @ Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2010 ) Tennessee 14, Georgia 41

THE STORY: Offense meets defense in a Southeastern Conference East Division clash between host Tennessee and Georgia. The Volunteers have scored more than 40 points in each of their three wins while the Bulldogs have allowed only 23 points during their three-game winning streak. Third down will be the key as the Volunteers convert a nation-leading 62 percent while the Bulldogs' defense limits opponents to 25.4 percent, second in the country. Both quarterbacks - Tennessee's Tyler Bray and Georgia's Aaron Murray - are pro prospects. Georgia has a better running attack with freshman Isaiah Crowell and will look to use that running game to keep Bray off the field.

TV: ESPN2, ESPN3.com. LINE: Georgia -1

ABOUT TENNESSEE (3-1, 0-1 SEC East): Saturday will be a big test for the Volunteers' offense because it will be their second game against a good defense without top wide receiver Justin Hunter, who tore his ACL in a 33-23 loss to Florida. The Volunteers hung 41 on Buffalo last week, but Georgia provides a much tougher challenge. Tennessee’s Derek Dooley will have a little more emotion for this game. The Georgia-born coach expects nearly 600 friends and family in attendance.

ABOUT GEORGIA (3-2, 2-1): The Bulldogs have opened up sizable first-half leads against SEC opponents in their last two games, but have failed to put either team away by scoring six combined points in the second half. Kicker Blair Walsh has missed four field goals over that span, surpassing his 2010 total of three. Outside linebacker Cornelius Washington will miss the game after being suspended following a DUI arrest. Georgia is 35-10 on the road under Mark Richt, but 2-4 since 2010.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The home team has won each of the last four games.Tennessee has outscored Georgia 80-33 in its two home wins.

2. Richt is going for his 100th win as Georgia coach. He is 99-36.

3. This matchup holds extra recruiting importance for Tennessee. Twenty of their players are Georgia-born to only three Tennesseans on the Georgia roster.

PREDICTION: Georgia 31, Tennessee 27 - Georgia's ability to run and keep Tennessee's offense off the field will be the difference. This game has the potential to be one of the best of the day with two quarterbacks who will probably play on Sundays in the near future.