Intriguing: Cameras caught Kirby Smart’s dismissive gesture after huge win over Tennessee

For Georgia, Saturday’s win wasn’t about dominance — it was about grit and survival. Tennessee came out swinging, jumping to a 14-point lead in the first quarter and putting serious pressure on a Georgia defense that had held opponents to under seven points over the previous two weeks.

The Vols’ fast-paced offense and quarterback Joey Aguilar’s sharp execution left Georgia on its heels early. Still, head coach Kirby Smart was proud of how his team adapted. The Bulldogs dug in, battled back, and showed resilience when it mattered most.

It wasn’t a flawless performance — and Smart acknowledged that, even sounding a bit sheepish in victory. “I don’t think we should’ve won that game. They outplayed us in a lot of areas, but sometimes that’s just how it goes,” he said.

Quarterback Gunner Stockton delivered key plays through the air when Georgia needed a spark, and the offensive line stepped up in the second half to give him time. Meanwhile, the defense made crucial adjustments to keep the Bulldogs in the fight.

Still, Georgia knows this outcome could’ve been very different if Max Gilbert hadn’t been pushed back by a false start before missing a 43-yard field goal. But in the end, Georgia capitalized and stayed unbeaten at 3-0.

Now, a major test looms. The Bulldogs face a pivotal matchup as No. 14 Alabama comes to Athens. The Crimson Tide, looking to rebound into the top 10 after an opening loss to Florida State, would love nothing more than to catch Georgia vulnerable after a physical showdown with Tennessee.