Week 1 Preview: Georgia State
It sort of felt like the season already started rooting for Miami to beat Florida last Saturday, but the Vols’ season begins this week. Georgia State is coming to town, which will provide an easy warm up game for UT. We don’t want to overlook any opponents however, and we’ll still be breaking down the Panthers.
Offense
Let’s talk about one of the worst offenses in the FBS last year. Georgia State averaged 23.9 points/game last year. That doesn’t sound horrible, but it finished 105th in the country. They also only averaged 379 yards per game. They are a team more focused on running the ball — almost 60% of snaps last year were rush attempts. Their leading rusher was also their quarterback, Dan Ellington. Last year he passed for 2119 yards and ran for 625. He will be returning this year, as will three of their other top rushers and two of their top 3 receivers. But this is an offense where no running back had over 500 rushing yards, and no returning receiver had over 500 receiving yards.
Defense
Georgia State’s defense comparatively finished even worse than their offense last year. They gave up 37.4 points per game, finishing 122nd in points allowed. They only allowed 238 passing yards per game, but at the same time they allowed 72% of passes to be completed and allowed 251 rushing yards per game. They were also lackluster in producing turnovers, totalling only 10 for the entire season. They also won't be returning their leading defensive end, who produced the most sacks on the team at 3.5.
Prediction
There isn’t a whole lot to say about this week’s opponent. Georgia State is a Sun Belt team who went 2–10 (1–7) last year, and finished near the bottom in both offensive and defensive stats. They are returning a good amount of their pieces, but they just do not have near the talent or coaching to come close to Tennessee at Neyland, no matter how down the Vols are. If there was something special about this group, I would think they could keep it close for a bit, but I don’t expect that either. The Vols’ offensive and defensive lines should have a great warm up game to get into form for next week’s BYU game, and some freshmen will have a great opportunity to show Pruitt what they can do during a live game (looking at Wright, Morris, Crouch, Gray, and To’o To’o). Vols cover the 27 point spread easily.
Tennessee 37, Georgia State 6
Jack Pierce Jr.
Is Tennessee ready to dominate a lesser team enough to cover a spread that’s nearly four touchdowns? Georgia State was every bit as bad as their record last season. I also think the Volunteers have enough talent to put away a team like that, but we have seen how they play against lesser competition in the past. One thing Tennessee has to their advantage is an experienced quarterback in Jarrett Guarantano. Though he hasn’t been a elite player Jim Chaney’s molding can only improve JG and his schemes will be hard to handle for a weaker team. I expect Ty Chandler to have a huge game, and I’m not sure anyone from this team can cover our wideouts. Our defense should be physical enough to overpower a team like this.
I like Tennessee to COVER the 26.5.
Vols win 42–10
Matt Downs
Saturday’s game against Georgia State is the game where, not only does Tennessee need to flex its muscles, but also get everyone playing time in the second half. I expect Tennessee to come out firing on offense early to put the game away along with the defense playing nasty against one of the worst offenses in college football last season. The Vols score a lot of points early and cruise through the 2nd half, giving valuable playing time to everyone. Vols win it 38–6.
Travis Hamilton
The last time Tennessee scored over 50 points was during a 63–37 rout of Missouri in November of 2016. I fully expect that record to be broke this Saturday. Tennessee has too much firepower to not cover the 26.5 point spread. Not to underestimate an opponent but Georgia St will not have near the arsenal to even make this a sniff of a game. Tennessee makes a statement it’s home opener and wins convincingly . 55–13
Brian Johnson
48–13 Tennessee
Ben Ashworth
I don’t think Tennessee will have a close game with GSU but I do foresee early struggles. Expect the first half to be sloppy but the Vols get it working in the second half and win 45–6.
James Hines
42–10 Tennessee
