Georgia and the Vols are anticipated to be two of the teams to watch in the upcoming football season.
Georgia and Tennessee: Two Teams to Watch in the Upcoming Football Season
As the 2025 college football season rapidly approaches, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exciting year of competition. Among the many teams that will capture the nation’s attention, two programs stand out as particularly intriguing: the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers. Both teams enter the season with high expectations, substantial talent, and a burning desire to prove themselves on the national stage.
For Georgia, the reigning national champions, their continued dominance is the story to watch, as they seek to extend their reign over college football. For Tennessee, their resurgence under head coach Josh Heupel has put the Volunteers in the conversation as potential SEC contenders, signaling the return of a program that had fallen on hard times for a few years. As the season unfolds, both of these powerhouse programs could be at the center of the College Football Playoff (CFP) conversation, with the SEC being as competitive as ever. Let’s dive into why Georgia and Tennessee are two of the most compelling teams to keep an eye on in the upcoming season.
Georgia Bulldogs: Seeking a Three-Peat
When it comes to Georgia football, the bar has been set incredibly high. After securing back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023, the Bulldogs enter the 2025 season with a target on their backs. Head coach Kirby Smart has built one of the most dominant teams in college football, and Georgia’s success is no accident. With a mixture of elite recruiting, excellent coaching, and a balanced, physical approach to the game, Georgia has proven time and time again that they can win at the highest level.
The Key to Georgia’s Success: Defense and Depth
At the core of Georgia’s dominance is a defense that has been nearly impenetrable over the last few seasons. Smart, a former defensive coordinator, has instilled a fierce defensive identity that has made the Bulldogs the standard in college football. Georgia’s defense is built on speed, power, and a relentless pass rush, making it one of the most feared units in the country. Even with key players like Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith departing for the NFL, Georgia’s defense is still poised to be a top-tier group. The Bulldogs’ defensive depth—thanks to Smart’s ability to recruit the best of the best—will allow them to reload rather than rebuild.
In 2024, Georgia allowed just 12.6 points per game, the best in the SEC, and that kind of dominance is not expected to change. Players like linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson and defensive back Malaki Starks will be at the forefront of the defense, ensuring that opposing offenses continue to feel the pressure. What makes Georgia’s defense especially dangerous is its ability to not only stifle the run but also rush the quarterback with incredible speed, forcing turnovers and making life difficult for even the most prolific offenses.
However, as good as Georgia’s defense is, it’s their offense that will ultimately determine if they can complete the three-peat.
Offensive Potential: The Quarterback Question
The Bulldogs’ offense will look different in 2025, primarily due to the departure of star quarterback Stetson Bennett, who led Georgia to back-to-back national championships. While Bennett was often overshadowed by the defense, his leadership and clutch play in big moments were invaluable to Georgia’s success. With Bennett gone, Georgia will turn to one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country to fill his shoes: Carson Beck.
Beck, who has spent time learning behind Bennett, is a prototypical quarterback with the size, arm strength, and poise to excel at the college level. The big question, though, will be how well Beck can handle the pressure of being the starting quarterback for a team with national championship aspirations. The offensive line, which remains one of the best in the country, will be key to giving Beck the time he needs to develop chemistry with his playmakers, particularly wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who returns as one of the SEC’s most dynamic pass-catchers.
Georgia’s offensive line, which paved the way for a dominant run game last season, will also play a vital role in ensuring the Bulldogs maintain their offensive balance. The run game, led by running backs Kendall Milton and Branson Robinson, will continue to be a major weapon, and their ability to control the clock and create big plays will be crucial in both the SEC and national title race.
With all of the talent surrounding Beck, Georgia’s offense could take the next step, becoming even more explosive than it was in previous years. The question remains whether the offense can match the dominant defense in terms of consistency and high-level execution, especially in tight, high-stakes games. If Beck lives up to the hype, Georgia could be even more dangerous in 2025, cementing their status as the team to beat.
Challenges in the SEC
The biggest hurdle for Georgia will, as always, be the Southeastern Conference. The SEC is a gauntlet, and Georgia’s path to another championship will not be easy. While Georgia remains the favorite to win the SEC East and make it to the SEC Championship, they will have to contend with the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee, all of which have talent capable of knocking off the Bulldogs. That’s why Georgia’s regular-season matchups, particularly against Tennessee, will be so important.
Tennessee Volunteers: The Resurgence of Rocky Top
Tennessee’s football program has been on an upward trajectory since Josh Heupel took over as head coach in 2021. After years of underperformance and instability, Heupel’s offensive-minded approach has turned the Volunteers into one of the most dangerous teams in college football. The Vols finished the 2024 season with a 10–2 record, securing a New Year’s Six bowl bid, and the optimism surrounding the program has never been higher.
Tennessee’s success is largely built on its high-powered offense, which was one of the most explosive in the country last season. Led by quarterback Joe Milton, who has developed into one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks, the Volunteers have the ability to score quickly and efficiently. Milton’s arm strength is his biggest asset, and his deep-ball accuracy gives Tennessee’s offense the ability to stretch defenses and create mismatches across the field.
The Vols’ Offense: High-Powered and Dangerous
Heupel’s offensive philosophy is predicated on speed, tempo, and explosiveness. Known for his “Fast and Furious” offense, Heupel’s system aims to wear down opponents with quick plays and create opportunities for big gains. Milton, with his strong arm and ability to stretch the field, is the perfect fit for this offense. The wide receiver corps, led by guys like Bru McCoy and Squirrel White, gives Tennessee one of the most talented and dynamic receiving units in the country.
However, it’s not just the passing game that makes Tennessee dangerous—it’s also the running game. The Vols have a deep backfield, with Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright providing a balanced rushing attack that keeps defenses honest and helps control the clock. By mixing the pass and the run, Tennessee’s offense becomes nearly impossible to stop.
For Tennessee, the key to competing at the highest level in 2025 will be maintaining the consistency of their offense while improving defensively. While the offense is potent, the defense has often been the weak link. In 2024, Tennessee’s defense made significant strides under coordinator Tim Banks, and with several key players returning, there’s hope that the defense will continue to improve.
Defensive Improvement: A Work in Progress
The Vols’ defense showed promise in 2024, especially against the pass, but they still need to become more consistent against the run and in high-pressure situations. The linebacker corps, led by Juwan Mitchell, and the defensive line, anchored by a promising group of young players, will need to step up for Tennessee to truly contend with Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. If Tennessee’s defense can be serviceable and make key stops in big games, the Vols will have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone in the country.
Tennessee’s SEC Title Hopes
Tennessee’s path to the SEC Championship is challenging, to say the least. The Volunteers will have to face Georgia, Alabama, and potentially LSU in the regular season. A win against Georgia in Knoxville would be a major statement, and with the Vols’ talent and the energy around the program, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. If Tennessee can maintain a high level of play throughout the season, the SEC East title could very well be within their grasp.
The SEC Gauntlet: A Clash of Titans
The upcoming season’s SEC race promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years. Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee are all legitimate contenders for the SEC Championship, and each of these programs has the talent to make a run at the College Football Playoff. The key matchups between Georgia and Tennessee, as well as Tennessee and Alabama, will have massive implications not only for the SEC but for the entire college football landscape.
