Georgia Football: Grading the Bulldogs vs. Tennessee

Before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers, there were talks that the Georgia Bulldogs are the best team in the SEC East because of the issues with South Carolina and Florida.

That still remains to be seen, but the Bulldogs are getting better on offense, defense and special teams each time they step on the field.

They were able to have a solid start against the Vols, but they were able to have a very strong finish, and as a result, they are now 3-1 in SEC play.

Here's some grades to hand out for the Bulldogs in the big win against the Vols.

Quarterback: B

It was kind of a rough go for Aaron Murray in the first half, as he was overthrowing open receivers  that could have led to points. But he settled down in the second half and ended the day completing 15 of his 25 pass attempts and 227 yards.

One of the plays of the game had to be when Murray threw a 71-yard completion to Malcolm Mitchell in the third quarter, which led to a Isaiah Crowell touchdown to put the Bulldogs up 20-6.

Running Backs: B+

A wrist injury slowed Crowell in the first half, but he was able to fight through it and rushed for two touchdowns in the second half.

As many yards he has racked up this season, those two touchdowns he scored was the first time since the Coastal Carolina game he has scored six points.

Carlton Thomas saw some action and put up solid numbers with seven rushes for 38 yards. Branden Smith got two carries for 19 yards, and Richard Samuel rushed four times for seven yards.

Receivers: B+

The good news is Malcolm Mitchell is becoming one of the most dangerous deep threats in the SEC. The bad news is he suffered a hamstring injury that will probably keep him out of action against Vanderbilt next week.

Regardless, Mitchell came up huge in the win and has been giving opposing defenses fits all season long.

But let's not forget about Tavarres King, who led the team with five receptions for 51 yards. Many could say this was the best that King has looked all season.

Offensive Line: B

Overall, it was a very good performance by the offensive line. They allowed zero sacks and they weren't pushed around by the Vols defensive line.

Honestly, there really isn't too much to say other than there were a few penalties by the O-Line in the second half, but it proved not to be too costly.

The line still has work to do, but they have made strides from the start of the season.

Defensive Line: B

The defensive line did not have any big numbers, but they had another solid performance. The telling stat of the game was rushing yards for Tennessee, and that number was 20.

You would like to have the defensive line put up big numbers, but as long as they are eating up space and freeing up the linebackers, getting the sacks and tackles for loss is secondary.

Linebackers: A-

It was interesting to see how the linebackers would gel with Cornelius Washington out.

They did not miss a beat because they were all over the field making plays.

Michael Gilliard led the team with 12 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Amarlo Herrera also had a forced fumble, and Jarvis Jones had 2.5 tackles for loss.

I know Alabama and LSU have a plethora of talent on defense, but could the Bulldogs have the best set of linebackers in the SEC?

Secondary: A

The defensive backs for Georgia did not have any interceptions, but they did not allow Tyler Bray to throw a touchdown, which is not easy to do.

Brandon Boykin played as well as you could ask, and Sanders Commings also stepped up and made some plays.

Once again, Shawn Williams was all over the field with seven solo tackles, and Branden Smith looked solid as well.

This secondary had its growing pains at the beginning of the year, but they are coming together nicely.

Special Teams: A

Blair Walsh had a perfect night, as he made two field goals in the first half. Drew Butler was solid with four punts and a average of 42 yards per punt.

There was only one return in the game for the Bulldogs, and that was by Boykin, which went for 17 yards.

But the Bulldogs did force Tennessee to miss a field goal in the first quarter and blocked an extra point in the fourth quarter.

Good day for the special teams, which was needed after numerous special teams breakdowns the last few weeks.