The Georgia football team is atop the SEC East standings, but players know this weekend’s game against Tennessee is their biggest test of the season.

“The implications of the game itself, as far as the conference being the SEC East, we gotta win this game,” senior linebacker Arnold Harrison said.

Junior center Russ Tanner shared those feelings.

“Every game we play is the biggest game of the year,” Tanner said. “Tennessee is no different.”

Georgia defeated LSU last Saturday 45-10, but coaches have made an effort to get across to the players the importance of a victory against No. 17 Tennessee. Whoever wins the game will be in the driver’s seat to go to the SEC Championship Game.

“We try to point out what’s at stake,” said offensive coordinator Neil Callaway. “It’s an important game as far as winning the East and going to Atlanta.”

Georgia (4-0, 2-0 SEC) has defeated Tennessee in four consecutive games. Last year’s 41-14 Bulldog win was the Vols’ second worst defeat ever in Neyland Stadium.

Callaway said he was confident Tennessee (3-1, 1-1 SEC) will enter Sanford Stadium eager to avenge that loss.

“Tennessee has a lot of history there, a lot of tradition,” Callaway said. “I’m sure they’ll come in here and try to get things turned around.”

Facing a team ranked No. 2 in total offense in the SEC, junior cornerback DeMario Minter said he expects Tennessee to stick to what they have become accustomed to this season.

“I think Tennessee will stick to their game plan,” he said. “Run it, run it, run it and try to wear us down.”

Tennessee’s running game is led by senior back Cedric Houston. Houston is averaging seven yards per carry and over 91 yards a game.

Houston and fellow running back Gerald Riggs have helped take pressure off Erik Aigne and Brent Schaeffer, Tennessee’s freshmen quarterbacks.

The Tennessee offense will take on a defense that has given up only 15.8 points per game and has made a habit of causing opposing offenses to turn the ball over.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt said while Ainge and Schaeffer have gained experience this season, they have not dealt with an opposing crowd in their college careers.

“It will be the first time dealing with the kind of noise our crowd is going to generate,” Richt said. “I’m sure they’ll be prepared, but that takes some getting used to the first time you go through it.”

Even as Richt made note of Georgia fans’ impact on a game, the coach said this game could have a lasting impact on the rest of the season.

“It’s a great opportunity for both teams,” he said. “Whoever wins is really in good shape in terms of controlling their destiny in the East.”