Georgia begins its 2026 season Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium, with the Bulldogs opening another campaign with national championship aspirations.
Georgia enters the season ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25 after finishing 12-2 in 2025, winning the SEC Championship before falling to Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Kirby Smart’s team returns several key pieces, including quarterback Gunner Stockton and running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens.
Tennessee State, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after a narrow loss in its season opener. The Tigers fell 26-24 to Jackson State in the John A. Merritt Classic despite taking a 24-23 lead with 8:48 remaining. Quarterback Daylin Lee accounted for 305 yards of total offense and two touchdowns in his TSU debut.
How to Watch Tennessee State at No. 3 Georgia
© John Reed-Imagn Images
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia
- TV: None
- Live Stream: SEC Network+ and ESPN+
- Series: First meeting
Georgia Bulldogs Roster Overview
Smart enters his 11th season as Georgia’s head coach after leading the Bulldogs to the SEC Championship in 2025. Georgia is looking to make another run at the College Football Playoff with seven returning offensive starters.
Stockton returns as Georgia’s starting quarterback after taking over the position in 2025. The fifth-year quarterback enters the season with 2,894 passing yards in 2025 listed among Georgia’s returning team leaders.
The Bulldogs also return All-SEC running backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens. Frazier finished 2025 with 947 rushing yards.
ALSO SEE:
- Poll: Who Wins the Clemson-LSU Game?
- College Football Predictions: Picks for Week 1’s Biggest Saturday Games
- Tulane Green Wave at Duke Blue Devils NCAAF Prediction, Picks & Odds for Sept. 5, 2026
Tennessee State Tigers Roster Overview
Reggie Barlow enters his second season as Tennessee State’s head coach after leading the Tigers to a 2-10 record in 2025. Barlow was named Tennessee State’s 23rd head football coach in March 2025.
Daylin Lee is coming off an impressive Tennessee State debut against Jackson State. The Winston-Salem State transfer completed 23 of 41 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown, while adding 40 rushing yards and another score.
Wide receiver Jayden Guy also made an immediate impact, catching nine passes for 148 yards against Jackson State. Running back Brenton Paul added 55 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown in his collegiate debut.
More College Football Essentials
- Athlon Sports 2026 College Football Preseason Predictions
- Best QBs in College Football: Ranking All 138 FBS Starters
- Who Is the Highest-Paid College Football Player?
- What Are the Overtime Rules for College Football?
- Every Heisman Trophy Winner and Runner-Up Since 1935
