College football Week 1 schedule and predictions
No. 25 Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (in Atlanta)
Kickoff: Monday, Sept. 4, 8:00 p.m., ESPN
Florida State-Alabama is just the undercard for Monday’s mega matchup between Tennessee and Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Right?
Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech: Three Things to Watch
1. New Quarterbacks
Joshua Dobbs and Justin Thomas were longtime starters at Tennessee and Georgia Tech, respectively, and the two dual threat signal callers helped elevate both programs during their careers. However, both are now gone.
Tennessee will hand the reins to junior Quinten Dormady, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 148 yards without a touchdown or interception last season. Dormady showed promise in the spring and has a talented set of playmakers at his disposal, including playmaking receiver Jauan Jennings, tight end Ethan Wolf and running back John Kelly.
We don’t yet know who will take the first snap for the Yellow Jackets. Matthew Jordan has the edge in experience after completing three of nine pass attempts for 111 yards, one TD and one interceptions as a sophomore in 2016, and adding 243 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the triple option offense. TaQuin Marshall, Lucas Johnson and Jay Jones are also in the mix.
2. Missing Pieces
In addition to the new faces expected to play key roles for the Vols in 2017, Tennessee will be without two projected starters Monday. Offensive tackle Drew Richmond was suspended and linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Jr. is out with injury. Both losses are significant. Receiver Josh Smith, who injured his shoulder in practice, could also be limited.
Georgia Tech recently lost its leading rusher, Dedrick Mills, who ran for 771 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman last season but was kicked off the team last week. Although, even without Mills and last year’s second leading rusher Marcus Marshall (who transferred), there is depth at running back.
3. Coaches on the Hot Seat?
Butch Jones has made progress at Tennessee, improving from five wins to seven in his first two years with the Vols before winning nine games in each of the last two seasons. However, there was a great deal of optimism Tennessee would win the SEC East and challenge for a national title last year before settling for Champions of Life. With just 11 starters back this season, and Georgia on the rise, the optimism has faded significantly. A step back in the win column would warm Jones’ seat for sure. A .500 season, though unlikely, could spell the end of his tenure.
Expectations aren’t nearly as high at Georgia Tech, though Paul Johnson’s 2015 squad failed miserably, falling from 11 wins and an Orange Bowl bid the previous season to nine losses. Johnson and the Jackets bounced back to win nine games in 2016, but if the roller coaster continues and Tech misses a bowl game for the second time in three seasons, things could get uncomfortable in Atlanta. It’s also worth pointing out Johnson’s prickly personality makes him a candidate to wear out his welcome.
Next: CFB: Top 20 head coaches heading into 2017
Prediction:
It’s never easy to defend the triple option, but Tennessee has had all summer to prepare. The Jackets will keep the game close, but expect the Vols’ talent advantage to win out in a close game.
Tennessee 35, Georgia Tech 31