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ESPN’s FPI predicts the outcome of highly anticipated Tennessee-Georgia showdown
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ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) predicts the outcome of every college football game before each week of action. With Week 11 now behind us, we move on to Week 12.
Included in the model’s predictions is the Tennessee-Georgia matchup. The model is heavily leaning towards Georgia, giving the Bulldogs a 61.8% chance to win the rivalry matchup. The Vols, meanwhile, are getting a 38.2% chance to pull off the upset.
In Week 11, the Bulldogs suffered their 2nd loss of the season, falling to Ole Miss by a score of 28-10. The model clearly doesn’t expect Georgia to come out flat 2 weeks in a row.
Meanwhile, the Vols are coming off another SEC win in Week 11. Tennessee welcomed in lowly Mississippi State and came out with a 33-14 win over the Bulldogs.
The major story for Tennessee is the health of Nico Iamaleava. The star quarterback suffered an upper-body injury before halftime and was unable to play in the 2nd half. After the game, head coach Josh Heupel suggested the team was being cautious and Iamaleava would play against Georgia.
If Iamaleave cannot go, the Vols would likely turn to Gaston Moore once again. Moore played the 2nd half in Week 11 and completed 5 of 8 passes for 38 yards.
For the Bulldogs, Carson Beck will need to start playing like Bulldog fans are accustomed to. The QB completed 20 of 31 passes for 186 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT in the Week 11 loss.
The Vols have not defeated Georgia since 2016. The Bulldogs will be looking to make it 8 wins in a row against the Vols in Week 12. These SEC rivals will kick off from Sanford Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
