It’s a mega showdown in the Southeastern Conference Saturday, and a top 20 battle between two of college football’s most storied programs, as the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Tennessee Volunteers. It’s the SEC opener for the Dogs and Vols, who both head into the game with 2-0 records.

Tennessee posted one of the most impressive wins of the young season to kick off the 2025 campaign. The Volunteers defeated Syracuse 45-26 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with quarterback Joey Aguilar making an impressive debut. Tennessee followed up the victory against the Orange with a 72-17 blitzing of East Tennessee State. The Vols were cooking offensively and built a 48-7 halftime lead against the Bucs.

Aguilar has thrown five touchdown passes with no interceptions, completing 39-of-59 passes for 535 yards. His top target is Chris Brazzell II, who has hauled in 14 receptions for 187 yards and a pair of scores. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s rushing attack is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

Georgia followed up a season-opening 45-7 victory over Marshall with a 28-6 win over Austin Peay. The game was marred by a lengthy weather delay that lasted nearly two hours before play began with the second half kickoff. The first half ended with an Austin Peay goal line stand, with highly touted freshman tight end Ethan Barbour suffering an injury on the final play before intermission and the delay.

The Bulldogs came out strong to start the second half, getting a stop and then driving 60 yards in seven plays for a touchdown that expanded Georgia’s lead to 21-3. But penalties and a turnover opened the door for Austin Peay.

Kirby Smart’s defense came up with a huge goal line stand early in the fourth quarter, with Georgia leading 21-6. The Bulldogs then went 99 yards in 17 plays, while eating up over 8:30 of the clock and putting the game out of reach.

Georgia and Tennessee were both in the college football playoff a year ago, and expectations are high – as always – in Athens and Knoxville. The Volunteers are hungry to topple the Bulldogs. Georgia has won eight games in a row against Tennessee, including four straight at Neyland Stadium.

This is Georgia’s first road game of the year, and the first start in a visiting stadium for – amongst others – Bulldogs fourth year junior quarterback Gunner Stockton. Saturday’s showdown is the first of eight consecutive games for Georgia against Southeastern Conference foes.