College football season is underway and, while there might not be any Team USA athletes on the field, many can be found in the stands or glued to their TVs while cheering for their favorite school. Each week, we'll take a closer look at a big game through the eyes of Team USA athletes. This week's featured matchup finds unranked Tennessee (2-1) traveling to face No. 12 Georgia (2-1) in Athens, Georgia. To prepare, we asked a few proud Dawgs and Vols to share their favorite college football memories, favorite tailgate food and score predictions, including Tennessee's Aries Merritt and DeeDee Trotter, and Georgia's Andrew Gemmell and Allison Schmitt.
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| @amhurdlestar |
Sport: Track and Field
College/University: University of Tennessee
Graduation Year: 2007
What’s the best element of this matchup?
The best element of this matchup is that it's two SEC schools battling it out. The competition in the SEC is always very high, so this game should be a good one to watch.
What is your favorite college football memory?
My favorite memory was going to the games when I was still in college and cheering with every other student for my alma mater to win. Tennessee having one of the biggest collegiate stadiums on the planet meant that the atmosphere was always LIVE. ROCKY TOP Baby!!!
What is/was your favorite tailgate food?
Best tailgate memory?
When someone, who will remain unnamed, almost blew up the grill while BBQ'ing hot dogs and hamburgers.
Final score prediction?
28-21, Georgia
Why do you think Georgia will win?
I think Georgia will only win because they are at home. It's extremely hard to beat UGA at home. I'm from Atlanta, and I know all about the stadium in Athens and what it means for a Bulldog to play at home. The home team always has the advantage. However, Tennessee has a fighting spirit that can't be denied, so I think that the game will be very close. Who knows, maybe Tennessee will pull a rabbit out of the hat and upset No. 12 UGA.
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| @dtrott400m |
DeeDee Trotter
Sport: Track & Field
College/University: University of Tennessee
Graduation Year: 2005
What’s the best element of this matchup?
With Tennessee and Georgia being neighboring states, literally a three- to four-hour drive from venues, this makes for a fan-driven atmosphere and adds to the longtime rivalry between a these teams. Being from Atlanta and a grad of Tennessee, I see both sides of what makes for a fantastic college football weekend!
What is your favorite college football memory?
My favorite college football memory is the 2001 game between University of Florida and Tennessee. The excitement from this victory over one of our other rivals made for a very exciting post-game university celebration! The score was 34-32.
Who is/was your favorite college football player?
My favorite college player was Jabari Greer from Tennessee. He went on to the NFL and to win a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints.
What is/was your favorite tailgate food?
My favorite tailgating good is Nathan's hot dogs!
Best tailgate memory?
Best tailgating moment was being in the Homecoming Day parade as Tennessee's Grand Marshall.
Final score prediction?
Final score will be Tennessee 21, Georgia 17.
Why do you think Tennessee will win?
I'm going with Tennessee for the win. It's my alma mater, so I couldn't possibly cheer for the opposing team. Go Vols!!!
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| @arschmitty |
Allison Schmitt
Sport: Swimming
College/University: University of Georgia
Graduation Year: 2005
What’s the game day atmosphere in Athens?
There's nothing like an SEC tailgate, let alone a football Saturday in Athens! There's a sea of red and multiple "Go Dawgs" chants, as the whole state of Georgia comes together as one big Dawg family. I remember walking to 7 a.m. practices and early tailgaters would be cheering us on!!
What’s the best element of this matchup?
It is a great SEC rivalry where point spreads don't matter. Last year, the Vols played tough but the Dawgs won by three. Of course, this year the game is in Athens so I expect a big win for UGA. No Rocky Top after this game.
What is your favorite tailgate food?
All food is awesome, especially some homemade southern food! I'd have to say the most unique, yet yummy meal was eating gator at the Georgia-Florida game!
Final score prediction?
30-20. Georgia, of course.
Why do you think Georgia will win?
Gurley. And to put it simply, we especially like to beat any team in orange.
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| @ADGemmell |
Andrew Gemmell
Sport: Swimming
College/University: University of Georgia
Graduation Year: 2014
What’s the game day atmosphere in Athens?
Athens is just a blast on game days. I think I heard somewhere that the population doubles, meaning its 75,000 most of the year and then close to 150,000 people are in town on game day. The stadium is between two hills in the middle of campus, and its a beautiful sight walking down and seeing a sea of people in red and black.
What’s the best element of this matchup?
I would say the rivalry. There won’t be a lot of love lost between these two teams, and so the game is almost always close.
What is your favorite college football memory?
Last year, the game between Georgia and Louisiana State University was incredible. It was in Athens, and both teams were ranked in the top-10 at the time. The last quarter was back and forth – with around five touchdowns total – and Georgia managed to come out on top. I’ve never heard a stadium so loud, and it still remains one of my best memories from my undergrad experience.
Who is/was your favorite college football player?
Aaron Murray was the starting quarterback at Georgia from 2010-2013. We both attended school at the same time and he started for most of my career at Georgia, so he is basically who I think of when I think of Georgia football. He had an incredible career and came away with a bunch of Southeastern Conference records, and he’s also just a really great guy off the field.
Favorite tailgate food?
I like to keep it simple. There’s nothing quite like some good burgers or hot dogs done over a grill on a cool fall day before a game.
Final score prediction?
The last time I did this, I picked UGA and we lost, but I’m going to have to pick us again: UGA 34, TN 23.
Why do you think Georgia will win?
I just think Gurley is the best player on the field and will be motivated to show it. But rivalry games are always close, so I’m sure I’ll be sweating this one out to the very end.
