How Georgia vs. Tennessee Showdown Will Impact Recruiting

The outcome of Saturday's game between Georgia and Tennessee won't merely impact conference standings, team records and program morale.  While the importance of those factors can't be overstated, the most lasting impact of this matchup will be on the recruiting trail.

A cursory glance at both teams' rosters shows that these two states do a lot more than share a state line.  These two flagship programs share a recruiting pool.  Tennessee has 17 players from the state of Georgia on its official roster.  And though Georgia has just three Bulldogs on its roster from the Volunteer State, such recent notables as wide receiver Marlon Brown and offensive linemen Austin and Hunter Long hail from Tennessee.

John Amis/Associated Press

For Georgia, the hope is that a fifth win over the Vols in five years—something the Dawgs have never previously accomplished—helps block a deluge of talent from spilling out of the state and into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Knoxville.  After all, the Volunteers aren't only luring quantity away from Georgia; they're getting high-quality players.

Two of Tennessee's three most-highly regarded recruits (per 247Sports) in the 2015 class have Georgia ties.  Wide receiver Preston Williams hails from Hampton, Ga. while running back Alvin Kamara left Norcross, Ga. for the University of Alabama and is currently enrolled at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.  

In total, six of Tennessee's 22 commitments for next year's class are from the Peach State.  All six rank in the top 100 nationally at their respective position per 247Sports.

And to be fair, although Georgia's rich surrounding talent pool eliminates the need to go into Tennessee often, Mark Richt and his staff have made waves north of the home state border.  Van Jefferson, the top receiver in Tennessee, chose the Bulldogs over the Volunteers in August.  Tight end Jackson Harris, the seventh-best recruit in Tennessee per 247Sports, is a longtime Georgia commit.

For Georgia, the best-case scenario on Saturday is a big win that gives way to a more secure border and maybe even a flipped commitment or two.

D'Andre Walker, a 4-star defensive end from Fairburn, Ga., is considering Tennessee and Georgia along with Auburn.  A stout defensive effort by the Dawgs led by a slew of young players (like Lorenzo Carter and Dominick Sanders) making plays could sway him to the Bulldogs.

Micah Abernathy, a 4-star cornerback playing at Greater Atlanta Christian, is considering Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee and Georgia.  Seeing a young Georgia secondary take strides weekly will be enticing for Abernathy but not as enticing as seeing one that dismantles Tennessee's passing game.

Courtesy of 247Sports.com.

And who knows what a fifth-straight win might yield.  Williams, a 5-star wide receiver committed to Tennessee, will likely stay loyal to the Volunteers.  But it would be hard to knock him for flipping to an in-state power that has dominated his school of choice since he was in middle school.

And as Richt pointed out to Gentry Estes of 247Sports earlier this week, Georgia is still pursuing prospects who are committed elsewhere.  Though unable to comment explicitly on individuals, Richt stressed, "Sometimes you'll snag a guy that's committed to someone else too.  So we're working some guys that are committed at other schools."

In that regard, the possible outcomes from the game itself and the impact on recruiting are very different.

On the field, a Georgia win is expected; even a lopsided victory does little to change perception of the Bulldogs.  A loss, however, could spell disaster for the Dawgs' SEC Championship dreams.  Between the lines, Georgia has little to gain and everything to lose.

In recruiting, however, Georgia could stand to make a strong push for uncommitted stars and present a compelling case for flipping a commitment.  That's worth playing for.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand.  All recruiting rankings, ratings and stats courtesy of 247Sports.