The Tennessee Vols will head to Athens on Saturday for a massive showdown against the Georgia Bulldogs. 

Tennessee can essentially clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff with a win against Georgia. 

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, need a win against the Vols to avoid getting eliminated from College Football Playoff contention (Georgia already has two losses, it’s unlikely that a team will get into the playoff with three losses). 

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde made his prediction for the showdown between Tennessee and Georgia and he doesn’t think the Vols will leave Athens with a win. 

Forde has Georgia squeaking out a 17-14 win against Tennessee, though there’s a caveat with his prediction. The longtime college football writer/reporter noted that he might change his pick if Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava is 100 percent on game day. 

From SI.com: Looming question: Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava’s health. Coach Josh Heupel says everything is fine after Iamaleava missed much of the game last week against Mississippi State. Dash pick: Georgia 17, Tennessee 14. A new pick might be in order if Iamaleava is truly 100% on game day.

Vols head coach Josh Heupel said on Monday that he feels like Iamaleava will be in “great shape” for the game against Georgia after leaving Tennessee’s win against Mississippi State due to an “upper body injury”. 

“He was with us today, had a really good day,” said Heupel when asked about Iamaleava during his weekly press conference. “Feel like he’ll be in great shape for Saturday. But you guys can monitor whatever the report is that comes out on Wednesday and track it through the week. But certainly feel like he’ll be in a good spot.”

ESPN’s Chris Low reported on Monday that Iamaleava “underwent an evaluation by doctors for what sources told ESPN were concussion-like symptoms“.

If Iamaleava is unable to go against Georgia, redshirt senior quarterback Gaston Moore would likely get the start for the Vols.