Georgia vs. Tennessee score, takeaways: Carson Beck rediscovers form as Bulldogs eye return to CFP bracket

Reports of Georgia's demise after a loss to Ole Miss may have been greatly exaggerated

No. 12 Georgia survived a challenge from No. 7 Tennessee 31-17 to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race. After Tennessee went up 10-0 in the first quarter, Georgia went on a 31-7 run over the final three quarters to pull away and beat the Volunteers. 

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck shook off a slow start and a number of drops from his pass-catchers to take over the game. With top players Travis Etienne and Dillon Bell out with injuries, Beck spread the ball around to 10 pass-catchers for 346 yards and two touchdowns; he also added his first rushing score of the season. 

Tennessee managed to put together a few lengthy drives, but the Volunteers struggled to create any explosives. The Vols failed to complete a passing play of more than 20 yards and failed to score any points in the decisive second half. Running back Dylan Sampson posted 101 yards and a touchdown in the win, but quarterback Nico Iamaleava mustered only 167 yards through the air with zero touchdowns. 

Georgia sent a message with its final drive in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs bled more than six minutes off the clock to travel 92 yards in 12 plays to reach the end zone. Beck and running backs Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier combined for every play of the drive. Beck's passes of 28 yards and 21 yards helped the Bulldogs get out of the shadow of their own end zone. 

• Georgia is the first team this season to clear 20 points against Tennessee's defense. Previously, Arkansas's 19 points marked the highest scoring output against the Vols. 
• The Bulldogs have a 6-6 record when facing a double-digit deficit over the past five seasons. The mark is tied with Alabama for the best winning percentage over the period. Utah is next among power-conference teams with a .350 mark. 
• Iamaleava failed to reach 200 yards passing for the sixth time in seven SEC games. Last season, Tennessee's Joe Milton threw for at least 200 yards in six of eight games in SEC play. Iamaleava has yet to throw for 300 yards against any FBS opponent. 

CBS Sports was here throughout the game with updates, analysis and highlights. Read on below for more takeaways. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 11:35 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

CFP implications for 'Dawgs, Vols

Georgia found itself ranked at No. 12 in the CFP Rankings on Tuesday, its lowest spot since Kirby Smart's first season in 2016. A loss against Tennessee would have almost certainly locked the Bulldogs out of the field for the first time since 2020, even as the field expands to 12 teams. 

After the win, the Bulldogs are likely in. Georgia is on track to be a two-loss team with wins over No. 3 Texas and No. 7 Tennessee, which sits as perhaps the best pair of wins in college football. While it's unclear at this point exactly how high Georgia will rise, it will certainly enter the field. 

For Tennessee, the path is much murkier. After coming in as a one-loss team, the Volunteers suddenly are projected to be a two-loss SEC team with only one win against a ranked opponent and a bad loss to Arkansas. With Missouri losing against South Carolina, Tennessee is likely the lowest-priority two-loss team in the SEC. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 11:35 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Redemption for Beck

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was the target of ridicule after his poor performance in a 28-10 loss against No. 11 Ole Miss. Beck became the first SEC player since Matt Corral to throw 12 interceptions in six games, and his numbers have fallen in almost every category from last year. But on a night when his offensive teammates struggled, Beck more than rose to the occasion. 

Facing a key second-and-10 in the second quarter, Beck ran for 14 yards and bulldozed a defender to set up one of two passing touchdowns to tight end Oscar Delp. Later, Beck handled pressure and broke off his first rushing touchdown of the season. 

Beck's receivers were credited with four drops. His running backs averaged only 3.1 yards per carry. If not for Beck's individual effort, the Bulldogs don't win the game. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 11:35 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Lack of big plays hurt Tennessee

Tennessee's defense rose to the occasion once again, but the passing offense remains an enigma. Former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been the face of the climb at Tennessee, but his performance again failed to light up the stat page. 

Iamaleava threw for only 167 yards on 33 pass attempts, a mark of only 5.1 yards per attempt. He failed to connect on a pass of more than 17 yards and 14 of his 20 completions were for fewer than 10 yards. 

Tennessee's offense requires hitting on explosive plays, but the Vols have failed to do it with consistency. Granted, plenty of blame goes to the receivers too, but the quarterback is the face. If Tennessee is sitting at home in December, the passing game will be the primary reason why. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 11:20 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Bulldogs rebound, erase deficit to roar past Vols

Final: No. 12 Georgia 31, No. 7 Tennessee 17

No. 12 Georgia survived a challenge from No. 7 Tennessee 31-17 to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race. After Tennessee went up 10-0 in the first quarter, Georgia went on a 31-7 run over the final three quarters to pull away and beat the Volunteers. 

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck shook off a slow start and a number of drops from his pass-catchers and took over the game. With top players Travis Etienne and Dillon Bell out with injuries, Beck spread the ball around to 10 pass-catchers for 346 yards and two touchdowns; he also added his first rushing score of the season. 

Tennessee managed to put together a few lengthy drives, but the Volunteers struggled to create any explosives. The Vols failed to complete a passing play of more than 20 yards and failed to score any points in the decisive second half. Running back Dylan Sampson posted 101 yards and a touchdown in the win, but quarterback Nico Iamaleava mustered only 167 yards through the air with zero touchdowns. 

Georgia sent a message with its final drive in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs bled more than six minutes off the clock to travel 92 yards in 12 plays to reach the end zone. Beck and running backs Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier combined for every play of the drive. Beck's passes of 28 yards and 21 yards helped the Bulldogs get out of the shadow of their own end zone. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:40 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Georgia taking control

End 3Q: No. 12 Georgia 24, No. 7 Tennessee 17

The Bulldogs dominated the third quarter and prevented Tennessee from putting together any rhythm offensively. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck threw for 85 yards and added a 10-yard rushing score to help the Bulldogs take an important lead into the fourth quarter in a de facto CFP elimination game for the program. 

Tennessee posting two drives of seven plays, but the Volunteers posted only 63 yards in the period and failed to get into scoring position. Through three quarters, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has only 129 yards and is posting under 5.0 yards per pass attempt. Tennessee will have the ball within its own 20-yard line entering the fourth quarter. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:27 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Beck does it all

3Q: No. 12 Georgia 24, No. 7 Tennessee 17

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck received major criticism during the week after turning the ball over 12 times in his lsat six games. While his stats won't show it, Beck has been everything for the Georgia offense as the Bulldogs took a third quarter lead against the Vols. Beck hit on four passes and broke off a 10-yard run for a touchdown as part of a 12-play, 87-yard drive to reach the end zone. 

Beck has completed 18 of 32 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns and now has the rushing score. Georgia's offense is the first team to cross 20 points against the highly-rated Tennessee defense this season. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 10:09 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Key receiver out

Georgia receiver Dillon Bell will miss the rest of the game with an ankle injury he suffered in the first half. Bell is a common gadget player for the Bulldogs and is third on the team in both receiving and rushing yards with 597 yards from scrimmage heading into the game. With Bell out, Georgia has only two wide receivers with more than 200 yards receiving left on the roster. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 9:34 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Vols, Dawgs knotted up at halftime

HALF: No. 7 Tennessee 17, No. 12 Georgia 17

No. 7 Tennessee is tied at halftime 17-17 against No. 12 Georgia in a heavyweight SEC battle. The Volunteers scored the first 10 points of the game and retook the lead late in the second quarter on a 27-yard breakaway touchdown run by Dylan Sampson. However, Georgia managed to get into the red zone and hit a field goal to tie things up at the half. 

The Volunteers have reached at least nine plays on three of its five drives and converted touchdown drives of 10 and 12 plays. Sampson has been the star with 68 yards and a touchdown in the half on 11 carries for more than six yards per carry against an elite rushing defense. 

After a slow start, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has done everything possible for the Bulldogs offense. During back-to-back touchdown drives in the second quarter, Beck connected with Dominic Lovett for a 38-yard conversion, bulldozed his way past a second-and-10 and hit tight end Oscar Delp for a pair of touchdowns. Beck has not gotten much help as his receivers have been credited with four drops and his running backs mustered only 31 yards. 

Tennessee gets the ball to start the second half with a chance to extend its lead back to double-figures. The Volunteers have lost seven straight matchups against Georgia, all of which have come by at least 14 points. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 9:20 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Vols pull ahead

2Q: No. 7 Tennessee 17, No. 12 Georgia 10

Tennessee's offense settled down and put together a key 10-play, 75-yard drive to pull ahead of the Bulldogs late in the first half. Running back Dylan Sampson capped it off with a 27-yard touchdown scamper after converting a critical fourth-and-two. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 9:04 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Playing with fire

2Q: No. 12 Georgia 14, No. 7 Tennessee 10

Georgia nearly had back-to-back disastrous offensive plays. Dillon Bell came around on a fly sweep and appeared to fumble the ball on the touch pass. Luckily for him, the officials ruled it an incomplete. One play later, Arian Smith got the ball on a short pass and fumbled after 23 yards. Luckily, he jumped back on the ball to save possession. 

The swing ended up being massive as Carson Beck turned it into another passing touchdown to tight end Oscar Delp to give Georgia its first lead of the game. The running game has still been nonexistent, so everything has been on Beck's shoulders. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 8:42 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Beck fighting back

Thanks to a few drops, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck's line won't blow anyone away. On a critical touchdown drive, though, Beck made every play. He quickly recognized the Tennessee defense thrown off by an offsides flag and hit Dominic Lovett for a 38-yard strike. Two plays later on second-and-10, he bulldozed his way to a first run to set up a 19-yard touchdown throw to tight end Oscar Delp. 

The Georgia offense has given Beck little help. The running game has mustered only 16 yards on six carries outside of his scramble. Two drops have formally been recorded. Still, Beck is insisting on fighting. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 8:33 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Vols take early control

End 1Q: No. 7 Tennessee 10, No. 12 Georgia 0

Tennessee's defense has quickly established itself as the best unit on the field as the Volunteers took a quick two-score lead at the end of the first quarter. Tennessee has held Georgia to three punts and two first downs, the latter of which came on a 38-yard reception on the last play of the first half on a miscommunication over a penalty flag. 

Georgia's defense has come to play, already sacking quarterback Nico Iamaleava twice, but the Volunteers continue to trudge forward. Tennessee scored on its first drive of the game and used a long punt return to connect on a field goal and push the lead to two scores. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 8:29 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Dawgs offense can't get off mat

1Q: No. 7 Tennessee 10, No. 12 Georgia 0

Georgia's offense has been stifled through the first three drives, going three-and-out twice and needing to punt on a third drive. Quarterback Carson Beck has connected on only 2 of 8 passes for 12 yards, including a batted pass at the line of scrimmage on third down as the Bulldogs are getting outgained 99-24. 

Tennessee's offense has had some pains, but a 26-yard punt return from Boo Carter helped set up a field goal to push the lead to two scores. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 8:05 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Tennessee grinds UGA defense

1Q: No. 7 Tennessee 7, No. 12 Georgia 0

Tennessee made opportunistic plays at key times to reach the end zone on the opening drive and putting together one of its top sequences of the year. Facing third-and-eight, quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran for 11 yards to get into first-and-goal territory. Vols blocker Miles Kitselman ultimately converted from the 1-yard line. Tennessee got 33 yards through the air and 30 yards on the ground during the 63-yard drive and now put pressure on Georgia to strike back.  

[Nov 16, 2024 at 7:56 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Taking chances

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo wanted to set the tone early and took a deep shot down the field on first down. Quarterback Carson Beck dropped in a tremendous pass, but Arian Smith couldn't come down with it. On third down, he went down the sideline to Dillon Bell, who couldn't separate himself. Georgia knows where it needs to go to win, but the receivers aren't getting much separation against Tennessee's excellent defense. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 7:51 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Dawgs go first

Georgia's maligned offense will start with the ball in a pivotal matchup at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs have struggled early in games and Tennessee's defense has been sensational in first halves. Both hope to set the tone early. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 7:10 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Game Prediction

The winner of this game likely punches its tickets to the College Football Playoff. The loser is at serious risk of missing out. While an injury to QB Nico Iamaleava will complicate matters, Tennessee's defense was always going to be the star of the show in this game. Additionally, Georgia has underperformed ATS by 8.1 points per game in SEC play. The betting line is far too big. Pick: Tennessee +10

Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction, pick, spread, football game odds, where to watch, live stream, TV channel

Shehan Jeyarajah

Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction, pick, spread, football game odds, where to watch, live stream, TV channel

[Nov 16, 2024 at 6:40 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Could Georgia get left out?

When the second College Football Playoff Rankings were released on Tuesday evening, Georgia found itself in an unfamiliar spot: left out. The Bulldogs were No. 12, marking their lowest spot in the CFP Rankings since Kirby Smart's first season in 2016. 

This is a stunning mid-November development for the preseason AP No. 1 team -- a program that has won two of the past three national championships, but one that was also the second team out of the 2023 CFP field. Based on their resume to this point, it's deserved. 

Why No. 12 Georgia would get left out of 12-team College Football Playoff bracket and how it can get back in

Shehan Jeyarajah

Why No. 12 Georgia would get left out of 12-team College Football Playoff bracket and how it can get back in

[Nov 16, 2024 at 6:10 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Beck's struggles

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has regressed as much as any quarterback in the country from 2023 to 2024. The senior is the first SEC quarterback since Matt Corral to throw 12 interceptions in six games and he has regressed in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating. After tossing an interception in a 28-10 loss to No. 11 Ole Miss, the Bulldogs dropped to No. 12, their lowest CFP Ranking since Kirby Smart's first season in 2016. Georgia needs more from its passing game. 

[Nov 16, 2024 at 5:37 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Iamaleava expected back

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is expected top lay against Georgia as the Volunteers play a pivotal matchup to reach the College Football Playoff. Iamaleava left against Mississippi State after entering the concussion protocol, but improved throughout the week and should return with minimal consequences. 

Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava expected to start vs. Georgia as No. 7 Vols face must-win game

Matt Zenitz

Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava expected to start vs. Georgia as No. 7 Vols face must-win game