It’s a pretty simple proposition. If the Georgia Bulldogs wish to keep their 2024 College Football Playoff hopes alive they have to win a home game against the Tennessee Volunteers. A few pregame notes:
* We have no running backs. With the news that Trevor Etienne is officially out with a nagging rib injury and Cash Jones was in a walking boot this week and likely somewhat limited tonight we pretty much have the fumble-fingered Nate Frazier and fellow true freshmen Dwight Phillips and Chauncey Bowens. Perhaps Dillon Bell reprises his role in the backfield. But the bottom line is that Georgia is somehow without four of its top five tailbacks. That’s suboptimal.
* Tate Ratledge is not on the injury report despite being clearly limited last week against Ole Miss. That’s good, as fellow guard Micah Morris remains listed as questionable.
* Smael Mondon is back on the field, a nice break in a game when we could really use his sideline to sideline pursuit against a Tennessee team that likes to spread teams out and run the ball where they ain’t.
* Anthony Evans remains out with a hamstring injury, meaning Georgia will continue to return kicks by committee and rely on veteran Malaki Starks, not to make mistakes on punt returns.
* Carson Beck’s psyche remains questionable. It’s a game time decision whether he’ll make good decisions. Cross your fingers.
Go ‘Dawgs!!!