5 Bold Tennessee Volunteers Predictions for Week 2 Matchup vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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The Tennessee Volunteers kicked off their 2026 college football season with a dominant victory at Neyland Stadium in Week 1 over Furman. Things get much tougher moving forward on the Volunteers schedule, with the team now preparing for its first road test of the season on Saturday night against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Georgia Tech is coming off an unexpected season-opening loss to the Colorado Buffaloes, a matchup that showed the new issues this program is dealing with following the departure of quarterback Haynes King. While it was a rough showing for the Yellow Jackets, head coach Brent Key will certainly view Saturday night’s matchup on ESPN as a chance to make a national statement.

Let’s dive into our predictions for Tennessee vs Georgia Tech.

DeSean Bishop Scores TD on Opening Drive

Tennessee Volunteers, DeSean Bishop — Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee certainly weren’t pleased with how the unit fared in Week 1. The box score might show 329 rushing yards for Tennessee, but the offensive line wasn’t good enough. However, it did seem like shuffling things around eventually found the right mix and we think the Vols will try and emphasize the run early. Georgia Tech allowed 183 rushing yards to Colorado, 197 if you take yards lost on sacks out of the mix. It wasn’t one big run either, with the quartet of Buffaloes’ running backs not breaking a run more than 16 yards. There’s something here for Tennessee to exploit. We think the ground game will make a statement early, capped off with DeSean Bishop taking it in for the first score on Saturday night.

Xavier Gilliam Records Another Sack

Tennessee Volunteers, Xavier Gilliam — Tennessee defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam (2) celebrates making a sack during a Tennessee football game against Furman at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 5, 2026.

Volunteers defensive coordinator Jim Knowles told the SEC Network’s broadcasters before the Week 1 matchup that defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, who followed him over from Penn State, was one of the biggest standouts of the summer. The 6-foot-2 interior lineman, who began his collegiate career as an edge rusher, is carrying that over into the regular season. Gilliam’s 3 sacks shattered his total (0.5 sacks) from 17 games at Penn State and his 5 TFLs in Week 1 have him tied for the most in the FBS. Facing a Yellow Jackets offensive line that allowed 8 TFLs and 3 sacks in the season opener, we think Gilliam makes it consecutive games with at least one sack and two tackles for loss.

Faizon Brandon Scores 3 Total Touchdowns

Tennessee Volunteers, Faizon Brandon — Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) runs with the ball during a college football game between Tennessee and Furman in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 5, 2026.

Faizon Brandon looked as advertised in his collegiate debut. The 18-year-old quarterback completed 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards (13.3 yards per attempt), showing comfort in the system and taking what the defense gave him. It certainly stands out when your 6-foot-4 and 225-pound quarterback can take the football and run for the first down, even lowering his shoulder to fight for extra yards when needed. Plus, fans had to love seeing a Tennessee quarterback who could actually make on-target throws deep downfield. While we don’t anticipate another five-touchdown game from Brandon, 3 total touchdowns will come on Saturday night.

Artion Carter Creates a Takeaway

Tennessee Volunteers, Arion Carter — Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Thanks to the appeal of the NCAA’s absurd suspension of All-SEC linebacker Arion Carter, Tennessee will have its defensive centerpiece back on the field in Week 2 against Georgia Tech. While Carter has been an impact player over the past two seasons, he rarely creates takeaways. We’re predicting one is coming on Saturday night. He’s going to be more motivated than ever to make a big play, especially after the team made him the sole captain this past week during his one-game ban. Whether it’s a strip-sack or a deflected pass that gets snagged for an interception, we think Carter creates a turnover.

Read ore: Winners, Losers from College Football Week 1, including Faizon Brandon

Tennessee Volunteers 31, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 17

The biggest difference-maker for us in this Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech matchup starts in the trenches. With what the Volunteers’ defensive line put on tape in Week 1, we think another clinic on generating pressure and creating penetration against the run is coming. Not only will that result in a Yellow Jackets turnover, but negative plays and three-and-outs will become a recurring theme. Tennessee’s offense will be shaking off some rust of its own, but we’re confident that Brandon, Bishop and Mike Matthews can collectively outscore Georgia Tech.