Tennessee vs Georgia Tech Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 12, 2026
The No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers visit the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and coverage on ESPN. Tennessee enters at 1-0 after beating Furman 56-9, while Georgia Tech is 0-1 following a 14-13 loss to Colorado. Tennessee opened as an 8.5-point favorite and is now -12.5 at -108, with Georgia Tech +12.5 at -112. The total is 55.5. Get ready for Saturday’s matchup with our free NCAAF picks.
Tennessee Volunteers Preview
Tennessee produced 638 total offensive yards against Furman, including 329 rushing and 309 passing. Faizon Brandon completed 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. DeSean Bishop led the rushing attack with 97 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Justin Baker added 89 yards and a score on three attempts. Brandon also rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns as Tennessee averaged 7.0 yards per carry.
Mike Matthews was Tennessee's top receiving threat with four catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The Volunteers were just as productive defensively, holding Furman to nine points while recording seven sacks. Xavier Gilliam led the pass rush with three sacks and a forced fumble, while Amare Campbell recorded six tackles. Edwin Spillman, Tyree Weathersby, Mariyon Dye and Hezekiah Harris each added a sack.
Injuries: LB J. Harmon (knee) is out.
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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Preview
Georgia Tech generated 288 total offensive yards in its one-point loss to Colorado. Alberto Mendoza completed 17 of 23 passes for 237 yards without a touchdown or interception, but the Yellow Jackets struggled badly on the ground. Georgia Tech finished with only 51 rushing yards on 30 attempts. Justice Haynes accounted for 64 yards on 19 carries, while Mendoza lost 22 yards on three attempts. The Yellow Jackets did not score an offensive touchdown.
Jordan Allen was the clear leader in the passing game, catching eight passes for 113 yards. Dalen Penson added three receptions for 73 yards, while Kevin Roche Jr. caught four passes for 37. Defensively, Georgia Tech recorded only one sack and did not force an interception. Kyle Efford led the Yellow Jackets with 13 tackles, while Taje McCoy and Savion Riley each had 11. Tawfiq Thomas recorded Georgia Tech's lone sack.
Injuries: WR D. Collins and WR J. Plummer are questionable with undisclosed injuries.
Tennessee vs Georgia Tech Prediction
Tennessee's opening performance showed a balanced offense capable of attacking through the air or on the ground. Georgia Tech's biggest concern is a rushing attack that managed only 51 yards against Colorado, especially with Tennessee coming off a seven-sack performance. Mendoza was accurate in the opener, but Tennessee can create much more pressure than Georgia Tech faced last week. The Volunteers also have several explosive options on offense, led by Brandon, Bishop and Matthews. Tennessee will control the line of scrimmage and create a big lead to cover. Final Score Prediction: Tennessee Volunteers win, 38-20.
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Best Picks
- Tennessee -12.5 (-108)
- Over 55.5 (-102)
