Tennessee football can make a College Football Playoff statement at Georgia.

No. 4 Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) plays No. 10 Georgia (7-2, 5-2) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, with CFP rankings on the line. The Vols ranked No. 7 in the latest CFP rankings.

Here is what to know about the matchup:

Can Tennessee make the most of this CFP opportunity at Georgia?

The Vols went to Georgia in 2022 as the top-ranked team in the College Football Playoff rankings and with a shot to position themselves for the four-team playoff. It didn't go so well as the Vols lost 27-13, a loss that hammered CFP dreams that ended with a loss later that November at South Carolina.

This time, Tennessee can position itself for the 12-team playoff with a win against the Bulldogs. It appears, based on the latest rankings, that Tennessee might have to win at Georgia to stay in contention for a spot.

How will Tennessee football's rushing attack perform at Georgia?

Tennessee leads the SEC and ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing yards per game with 235.1.

Georgia presents the stiffest run defense the Vols will have faced since their SEC opener at Oklahoma on Sept. 21. The Bulldogs are allowing 110.9 yards per game.

Tennessee has dominated teams with the Dylan Sampson-led rushing attack, but it also has done it against some of the worst run defenses in the conference. Georgia will be a harder opponent.

Tennessee is in win-and-in position for the SEC title game

Tennessee will play in the SEC championship game in Atlanta if it beats Georgia and Vanderbilt in its final SEC games.

The Vols are one of three teams with one loss in conference play. Texas and Texas A&M are the other two, but there is a guarantee that one will finish as a two-loss team because the Longhorns play at Texas A&M on Nov. 30.

So if the Vols win out and Texas and Texas A&M don't lose before the regular-season finale, the matchup would be Tennessee against either Texas or Texas A&M. If it unfolds differently for the Texas-based SEC teams, Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and Missouri are all two-loss teams that still have a path to Atlanta. The field is even more open than that, but UT's path is simple.

Boo Carter is playing his best football for the Vols

Boo Carter made his presence known on two facets in Tennessee's 33-14 win against Mississippi State. The dynamic freshman had a first-quarter interception that he returned to the MSU 9-yard line. He made two tackles, including a tackle for loss. He also got involved on punt return, returning six punts for 56 yards.

CFP: Why SEC analyst Matt Stinchcomb says Georgia is CFP elimination game for Tennessee football

"I am proud of Boo, just how hard he’s playing," Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. "He’s getting better week in and week out, but I could say that about a lot of our guys. But Boo gets it. He understands he has to continue to put it on tape every week and so far he’s been up for that challenge.”

Carter has 25 tackles in nine games playing at STAR, the fifth defensive back spot in Tennessee's defense.

Tennessee football score prediction vs Georgia

Georgia 24, Tennessee 20: Tennessee's offense is looking better lately, but the Vols haven't played a road game since Arkansas in early October. Georgia was a house of horrors in 2022 for Tennessee and its CFP hopes. It will be that again.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee-Georgia prediction: Can Vols get key CFP, SEC title win?