Georgia vs. Tennessee

BREAKDOWN

When Georgia has ball

The one reliable force on Georgia’s roller-coaster offense is receiver A.J. Green, who leads the SEC in total receiving yards (527), receiving yards per game (105.4) and receptions per game (6.0). His 527 yards ranks 11th in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Quarterback Joe Cox continues to have an up and down year, although he is capable of lighting up opposing secondaries when he has his accuracy under control.

Cox’s primary nemesis today will be Eric Berry, who leads the SEC in picks and is third in the SEC in tackles this season with 45. The Volunteers’ defense has been stingy all season long, limiting Florida to just 23 points and holding Auburn to 26 last week.

UT will try to keep the pressure on Cox since the Bulldogs’ ground game has been mostly a no-show in 2009.

Edge: Tennessee

When Tennessee has ball

While Georgia has failed to establish a formidable rushing attack, Montario Hardesty has been a workman-like performer toting the ball for Tennessee. He is averaging 115 yards per game and has eclipsed the 100-yard barrier twice while scoring five touchdowns.

With UT having difficulty moving the markers through the air, Hardesty has been the workhorse on offense.

However, he’ll be up against a defense that has gotten better in the last two games.

Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran continues to pace the SEC with 55 tackles, and had a career-high 16 takedowns against LSU last Saturday. Lineman Jeff Owens also had a career-best game against the Tigers with seven tackles.

Brandon Boykin is also becoming a force in the Bulldogs’ secondary.

Edge: Georgia

Special teams

Drew Butler leads the nation in punting with a 49.8 average and kicker Blair Walsh has been effective, although he did have a rare miss against LSU.

Boykin continues to provide a breakaway threat on kick returns.

Chad Cunningham has a 41.2-yrad punting average for Tennessee and kicker Daniel Lincoln has settled down from a slow start to make seven of his last nine field goal tries.

Edge: Georgia

Bottom line

Georgia enters the game with its streak of thrilling victories halted by a last-second loss to LSU, while Tennessee is still stinging from a home setback to LSU.

The Bulldogs can still have an outstanding season, but to do so they have to find consistency on both sides of the ball and win out in SEC play. That could be a tall order, with Florida and Auburn waiting down the road.

The Vols have no illusions of an SEC East crown, but a victory today would provide some much-needed confidence and possibly serve as a springboard for a strong sprint to the finish.

Prediction: Georgia 17, Tennessee 16

— Scott Adamson