GEORGIA’S OFFENSIVE LINE VS. TENNESSEE’S SENIOR TACKLES

Trinton Sturdivant is gone again, and the Bulldog offensive line has not been the strength many thought it would be coming into the season.

Georgia’s running attack hasn’t gotten off the ground, but the offensive line hasn’t been consistent either.

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo pointed to the matchup with Tennessee senior defensive tackle Dan Williams, and with good reason.

Williams is a 6-foot-3, 327-pounder that eats up space on the line, occupying more than one blocker, and subsequently opens up space for linebacker Rico McCoy to make plays.

Oh, and he’s joined by another senior on the line – tackle Wes Brown. Good news is, he’s only 6-foot-4, 257 pounds. Ha.

Georgia’s O-line will need to step up its recent play if the Bulldog offense is going to be a factor Saturday.

THE GEORGIA OFFENSE VS. ERIC BERRY

Volunteer safety Eric Berry is the best defensive player in the country – if you had the first pick in a defensive fantasy draft, you would pick Berry.

His interceptions are down this season (just one), but he has 10 tackles in at least three games – those are linebacker numbers, and not just any linebacker numbers. Rennie Curran-type numbers.

Nine of the top 10 tacklers in the SEC are linebackers. The other is Berry, at No. 3.

Berry, an Atlanta native, is 14 yards away from the NCAA record for interception return yards, and you know he’d love to break it against Georgia, a team he has said slighted him in recruiting.

GEORGIA’S DEFENSIVE FRONT VS. TENNESSEE’S TANDEM

The Bulldog pass rush saw marked improvement last week against LSU, charting six sacks.

But Tennessee’s strength is running, led by SEC rushing leader Montario Hardesty and aided by freshman Bryce Brown.

With quarterback Jonathan Crompton having issues, if Georgia can shut down the run, or at least contain it, a win shouldn’t be far behind.

NEYLAND STADIUM VS. GEORGIA’S YOUNG PLAYMAKERS

True, Georgia has played two road games this season.

But those were at Oklahoma State and Arkansas, two stadiums that boast a capacity just around 60,000.

Neyland Stadium can hold 100,011.

Here’s a not-so-brief list of Neyland Stadium virgins that play key roles for the Bulldogs: A.J. Green, Richard Samuel, Caleb King, Orson Charles, Tavarres King, Washaun Ealey, Brandon Boykin, Branden Smith, Aron White, Justin Houston, Bacarri Rambo, Rantavious Wooten, Abry Jones, Cornelius Washington … OK, we’ll stop.

THE ZEBRAS VS. BOTH TEAMS

We’re not going to bring up the excessive celebration penalty on A.J. Green last week, but the referees will play a large role in this game, at least indirectly.

Georgia is among the nation’s most penalized teams, averaging 9.6 penalties for 73.75 yards per game.

Tennessee is among the least – they’re No. 4 nationally with just 3.6 per game, and No. 3 nationally with only 28.8 yards penalized per game.

That’s a big swing.

CROMPTON VS. RENNIE CURRAN

To be honest, Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton has been miserable this season. The senior has more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (eight) in 2009.

Why does he match up with Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran?

Because Curran is due. The Bulldogs’ do-everything junior has had a few close calls over the years, but doesn’t have an interception. He has a penchant for being in the right place at the right time. This could be the week.