Two weeks ago the black-clad Georgia Bulldogs were left crimson-faced by Alabama.

A year ago it was the Tennessee Volunteers who dealt the Bulldogs what would prove to be a lethal blow to their SEC title hopes, winning big in Knoxville.

Today the struggling Vols (3-2, 0-2 SEC) come to Sanford Stadium to face a team determined to shake off the loss to the Crimson Tide and keep pace with Vanderbilt in the SEC East.

And a chance at revenge against a UT team that has taken two in a row from Georgia (4-1, 1-1) provides plenty of motivation for Mark Richt and company.

“We have a wonderful opportunity to turn it around,” Richt said. “I really hope we take advantage of it. I see nothing out there to make me feel like we won’t turn it around. Alabama is undefeated. They are second in the country. They are pretty good.

“They are a very good football team and for whatever reason, we had that slow start but I believe that we have a bright future ahead of us and this game is huge in how our season is going to be remembered.”

On the down side, UGA found itself trailing Alabama 31-0 at the half. But a 30-10 rally over the final two quarters showed the Bulldogs still had plenty of bite. Now the mission is to build on that momentum and take a victory from a team that has been a thorn in Richt’s side.

Last season Tennessee thrashed the Bulldogs 34-14 at Neyland Stadium, and in 2006 the Volunteer offense came up big in a 51-33 beatdown in Athens.

“I know they are 2-3 right now but if you look at their season they have an overtime loss they certainly could have won just as easily as they lost it,” Richt said. “They lose 14-12 to Auburn and they are basically one exchange away, handing off the ball to the tailback away from winning that game. They very easily could be 4-1 and could be a top 15, top 10 team right now.

“They are that good, they are that capable and I just want to make sure everybody understands how good of a football team this is.”

Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Stafford said the Alabama loss served as a wakeup call.

“I think it opened our eyes to some things we need to work on,” Stafford said. “It let us get back to fundamentals in practice last week, and we were able to get a little stronger being able to lift three times. It’s really been a positive for our team.”

While Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno will be the focus of the Georgia offense, today marks the return of fullback Brannan Southerland, who has been sidelined all season with a foot injury.

Richt said having him back in the fold has several benefits.

“I think it’s significant in that he’s one of our finest leaders on the team,” Richt said. “He’s one of the most respected players on the team, and arguably the most respected player on the team. Our coaches actually voted him offensive captain and he hasn’t even taken a snap offensively.

“That gives you an indication of how the staff feels about his leadership.”

Tennessee is coming of an uninspired 13-9 victory over Northern Illinois, and the Volunteers are struggling. Nick Stephens is the newly anointed starting quarterback for an offense that has been largely ineffective all season.

UT has scored a total of 27 points in its last three games — two of them losses.

Philip Fulmer said his charges simply have to move forward and get better.

“Our team focus starting Sunday was to tell them to worry about today; worry about going to the practice field and improving and preparing ourselves for a really fine Georgia football team,” Fulmer said. “Georgia offensively has great balance. They have a really fine back (Moreno); Stafford is a really fine quarterback. They do a good job of using their abilities and stretching the field vertically and horizontally.

“They’re just an all-around fine offensive football team.”