Will Tennessee football, Faizon Brandon win road game at Georgia Tech? Our prediction

Tennessee football will play their first road game of the season in Week 2.

No. 18 Tennessee (1-0) visits Georgia Tech (0-1) at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta on Sept. 12 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Here's what you need to know about the matchup.

How will Georgia Tech respond after surprising loss to Colorado?

The Yellow Jackets were a 7-point favorite over visiting Colorado in Week 1, so their one-point loss didn't represent a massive upset. But the nature of the loss, with Colorado being the more physical team on either side of the line of scrimmage, made it more deflating and surprising.

Many of the strengths the Yellow Jackets believed they could lean on, namely solid play in the trenches and an efficient rushing offense, didn't show up against Colorado. Meanwhile, some of the unknowns at quarterback and wide receiver were positive factors.

Coming off an encouraging nine-win campaign in 2025, Georgia Tech has stumbled out of the gates. The Vols should expect to face an angry team looking to reimpose themselves physically when they take the field.

How did Georgia Tech reload depleted offense?

Among Georgia Tech's offseason losses were a first-round NFL draft pick in offensive guard Keylan Rutledge, the reigning ACC Player of the Year Haynes King, and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who is now at Florida. Eleven transfers on offense arrived to take their places and the turnover proved costly in the opener, as Georgia Tech failed to score an offensive touchdown.

Like UT, Georgia Tech was breaking in a first-time starting quarterback in the season opener and Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza was efficient but not explosive, completing 17 of 23 passes for 237 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Transfer running back Justice Haynes, who rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns in only seven games at Michigan last season, averaged 3.4 yards per carry on 19 rushes against Colorado.

Despite the new faces on offense, Georgia Tech entered 2026 hoping to maintain a similar identity around a power running game. It's early, but the results have been uninspiring so far.

What impact will Arion Carter have on Tennessee's defense after suspension?

The Vols will welcome back star linebacker Arion Carter, who served a one week suspension for violating NCAA rules against impermissible benefits. The UT defense was dominant without him in a 56-9 win over FCS opponent Furman in Week 1.

Carter was the Vols' third leading tackler and tied for the second-most tackles for loss. He brings valuable experience in addition to some explosive playmaking ability in the second level of the Vols' defense.

Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles got creative with his linebackers against Furman, using Jeremiah Telander as an edge rusher and elevating Edwin Spillman into a starting role. Reintroducing Carter gives Knowles another weapon to wield alongside Telander and Amare Campbell.

Tennessee vs Georgia Tech prediction

Tennessee 27, Georgia Tech 13: Coming off a difficult loss to open their season, expect the Yellow Jackets to play some inspired football early. But this game will be decided in the trenches and UT has the advantage on both sides of the ball.

Georgia Tech will offer stiff resistance and freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon will likely make the first major mistakes of his college career, but the Vols still win a game that doesn't feel as close as final score would indicate.

Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Will Tennessee football, Faizon Brandon win road game at Georgia Tech? Our prediction