The Tennessee Volunteers are entering a matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs as the higher ranked team, but the probable loser.
Last time out for the Volunteers, star quarterback Nico Iamaleava was hurt after taking a big hit on a rollout to his right. The Mississippi State defender was able to get a perfect hit in, which many thought injured the throwing shoulder of the quarterback. Throughout the week, the quarterback has flip-flopped his status multiple times, but coach Josh Heupel told the media he would be “ready to go” against Georgia.
Now, Iamaleava appears to officially be playing for the Volunteers as the quarterback joined the team on the bus traveling to Athens. Previously, a report indicated the quarterback might not play, which in turn caused a shift in the betting line. With the quarterback ready to play, the game against Georgia might but much tighter than the nine-point line would suggest.
JUST IN: @nico_iamaleava8 is on the team bus headed for Georgia as things track to him playing tomorrow night against the Bulldogs. pic.twitter.com/wEfSR8CW6D
— Austin Price (@AustinPriceless) November 15, 2024
The talented freshman quarterback has been a key part of the success of Tennessee this season, recording 12 total touchdowns. Iamaleava played limited time last season, but mainly looked to run the football and make plays happen with his legs. This season, however, the quarterback has had an entirely different focus and has played intelligent, systematic football.
Iamaleava has recorded 1879-yards passing, 11 touchdowns, four interceptions, and one rushing touchdown for the Volunteers this season.
How can the Tennessee Volunteers, Nico Iamaleava Defeat the Georgia Bulldogs?
While the Tennessee Volunteers are underdogs in Athens, the team could make some noise and potentially pull off the win with the right game-plan.
For quarterbacks Nico Iamaleava, the name of the game is going to be taking what the defense gives him all night. Georgia has one of the better defenses in the country in terms of scoring, but as of late opposing teams have had a decent amount of success. One of the contributing factors have been the increased interceptions from Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck
Georgia is not the same time they have been in the past defensively this season, which has become an issue since allowing 41-points against Alabama. The Tennessee Volunteers have not put up offensive numbers like that in quite some time, but did show plenty of promise against Mississippi State, who admittedly have a terrible defense.
Opposing teams have found success against the Georgia defense as of late on big chunk plays, with the Bulldogs struggling to keep-up at times. Whether it is due to the struggles of the offense and being on the field more or a different factor, the defense looks a bit slow.
If the Tennessee Volunteers can pick up big chunks that the defense leaves uncovered like other opponents have, the Bulldogs might lose the game.
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