KNOXVILLE, TENN. ? Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer likes to teach his players a little history about rivalries while he plots game plans.

In preparing for Saturday’s game against No. 5 Georgia, Fulmer left out the Bulldogs’ last two victorious visits to Neyland Stadium. The eighth-ranked Volunteers have not beaten Georgia at home since 1999.

“I really haven’t talked about that. We’ve talked about the series and the rivalry and playing since 1899,” Fulmer said. “I prefer to put positive thoughts in their minds rather than negative things.”

Aside from the border rivalry that has heated up since the Bulldogs (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) broke a nine-game losing streak in 2000, this game is pivotal in the SEC East race.

Georgia has the advantage so far this year with Tennessee (3-1, 2-1) losing to Florida and Florida losing to Alabama.

A win will keep the Bulldogs on track for the division crown — and history favors them.

Mark Richt has never lost in Knoxville since becoming Georgia’s head coach in 2001, and the Bulldogs are 16-2 in opponents’ stadiums under him. Their only losses were at LSU in 2003 and Auburn last year.

“The coaches, quarterbacks and other team leaders do a good job of keeping the guys cool and under control,” Georgia tight end Martrez Milner said about playing on the road.

“You feed off of the crowds. That’s why you come to an SEC school, to play teams like Tennessee and play in an atmosphere like this.”

The Vols also have played well on the road, particularly as underdogs, since Fulmer became coach. But they have not beaten a top 10 team at home since 1999, which happened to be a 37-20 victory over then-No. 10 Georgia.