The No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs are massive home favorites for their season opener against the Tennessee State Tigers. Tennessee State is a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team that lost a heartbreaker in Week 0 to Jackson State.
Georgia kicks off the season against Tennessee State at 3 p.m. ET from Sanford Stadium in what is expected to be a very hot afternoon in Athens, Georgia. The Georgia versus Tennessee State game will be televised on SEC Network+ for fans watching from the comfort of home.
"I'm excited about game week," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said ahead of the Tennessee State game. "I know our players are ready to play someone other than each other, so the guys are excited. I know the fans are excited. I'm excited to see this team
go out and play their first game."
Georgia is back-to-back SEC champions and has made consecutive College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearances (both losses in the Sugar Bowl). The Dawgs went 12-2 in 2025 and reload with quarterback Gunner Stockton, running back Nate Frazier, center Drew Bobo, safety KJ Bolden and more elite players. UGA has over 10 All-SEC preseason picks. Georgia is ready to begin their 2026 college football season with a win.
Tennessee State is coming off a brutal 2025 season where the Tigers went 2-10 and failed to score more than 24 points in a game all season. The Tigers matched that number in a losing Week 0 effort. Tennessee State is receiving a big paycheck to play Georgia.
With the huge talent gap, it makes sense why Georgia is favored by nearly seven touchdowns. Georgia has an impressive history of shutting down opposing offenses in Week 1 under coach Smart.
Georgia vs. Tennessee State updated betting odds
Odds, betting data courtesy of FanDuel as of Wednesday, Sept. 2
- Money line: Georgia is not available; Tennessee State plus-7000
- Spread: Georgia by 47 1/2
- Over/under: 54 1/2
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia's massive point spread vs. Tennessee State grows even more
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