PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Jeremy Banks is quietly putting together a solid freshman campaign. Banks punched in his third touchdown of the campaign in Tennessee’s loss to Florida, tying him with Madre London — who also scored against the Gators — for the team lead. The freshman and senior Madre are also splitting duties with Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan as the Vols’ backfield already has 10 rushing touchdowns on the season, compared to 14 all of last year.
–WR Marquez Callaway continues to be Jarrett Guarantano’s favorite receiver, hauling in 210 yards on 14 receptions to pace the team. But the junior is still looking for his first touchdown since the final game of the 2017 season after leading the Vols in scoring grabs last year with five.
–DE Kyle Phillips has emerged as a leader on the Vols defensive line, picking up his fourth career sack, and first of the season, against Florida. The senior also pounced on the fourth fumble recovery of his career. Phillips enters the Georgia game with 67 career tackles.
–CB Alontae Taylor is earning the distinction as the first freshman to start a season-opener in the Tennessee secondary since Cameron Sutton in 2013. The cornerback registered the first tackle-for-loss and forced fumble of his young career against Florida. Taylor has 10 tackles in four games as he shares time at the left cornerback slot with fellow freshman Bryce Thompson.
SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee leads Georgia 23-22-1. The Bulldogs have owned the series of late, winning seven of the last 10 contests. The winner of Saturday’s game will break the 11-11-1 record between the Vols and Dawgs inside the hedges of Athens’ Sanford Stadium.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’m walking through the offices, and our offices are littered with our players watching tape. I had no idea they were up there. There’s a group of guys that had them in there, talking about players and being leaders. I guess they organized it. That’s the first time I’ve seen that, but I saw some ownership during the game the other day that excites me about moving forward.” — Head coach Jeremy Pruitt on handling the Florida loss.
