Beck throws for 2 TDs, runs for another to lead No. 11 Georgia past No. 6 Tennessee 31-17

Carson Beck silenced his critics by throwing for two touchdowns and running for anor on a raucous Saturday night between hedges, leing No. 11 Georgia to a 31-17 victory over No. 6 Tennessee that gave a huge boost to Bulldogs' College Football Playoff hopes.

Georgia (8-2, 6-2 Souastern Conference, No. 12 CFP) bounced back from a 28-10 loss at Ole Miss that left Bulldogs just outside provisional 12-team postseason field.

Now, y are positioned for a likely playoff berth — and a shot at winning ir third national title in four years — if y can close out regular season with wins over UMass and Georgia Tech.

Tennessee (8-2, 5-2, No. 7 CFP) could have moved a big step closer to a berth in SEC championship game, but Vols' postseason prospects are now a whole lot murkier after what h all makings of a playoff elimination game.

In midst of a disappointing season , Beck came up huge for Bulldogs when y needed him most, guiding m to a 29th straight home victory in an FBS-leing streak that dates to 2019.

He connected on a pair of touchdown passes to tight end Oscar Delp in first half and scrambled for go-ahe score in third quarter, darting 10 yards to end zone for his first rushing TD of season.

Georgia sealed victory with a 92-yard drive — its longest of season — in closing minutes. Nate Frazier finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown run with 2:26 remaining.

Beck, who h thrown 12 interceptions in previous six games, didn't have any picks against Volunteers. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 347 yards.

With quarterback Nico Iamaleava cleared to play after going through concussion protocol, Tennessee jumped to a 10-0 le on Miles Kitselman’s 1-yard dive and Max Gilbert’s 52-yard field goal, dampening mood of more than 93,000 at Sanford Stium.

But Bulldogs, after a sluggish start that has become ir tremark, grabbed le as Beck connected with Delp on similar-looking scoring passes of 19 and 4 yards in back of end zone.

Dylan Sampson put Vols back in front with his 21st rushing touchdown of season, a 27-yard scamper through a huge hole right up middle.

But Beck guided Bulldogs into position for Peyton Woodring’s 36-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining in half, sending teams to locker room tied at 17.

Tennessee: Vols defense h not allowed more than 19 points all season, but y couldn't contain Beck-led offense. Georgia piled up 454 yards and 24 first downs while converting eight of 13 third-down opportunities and continues to dominate series with its rival to north, winning for eighth year in a row — all of m by margins of at least two touchdowns.

Georgia: Bulldogs played without top running back Travis Etienne, who was sidelined by a rib issue, and offense took anor blow when receiver Dillon Bell went out with an ankle injury sustained on a hit along sideline late in first half. But Frazier rushed for 68 yards and London Humphreys stepped up to make three huge catches for 63 yards. Big kudos to offensive line, which did not give up a sack after Beck was dumped five times previous week by Ole Miss.

Tennessee: Vols return home next Saturday to take on UTEP before wrapping up regular season with a short trip to Nashville to face Vanderbilt on Nov. 30.

Georgia: With ir SEC schedule complete, Bulldogs close out regular season with two non-conference games at home. UMass (2-8) shouldn't present much of a problem next Saturday.