Top-ranked Georgia is set to begin its conference schedule on Saturday against a struggling Kentucky team, which is reeling from a disappointing loss that has raised concerns about its performance under head coach Mark Stoops. Georgia is heavily favored going into the matchup.
Kentucky (1-1, 0-1 SEC) suffered a lackluster 31-6 defeat against South Carolina last week, with a significant struggle on offense. The Wildcats’ quarterbacks combined for two interceptions and were sacked four times. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff had a particularly tough outing, throwing for only 30 yards on three completions before being replaced by backup Gavin Wimsatt in the fourth quarter. Vandagriff is expected to start against his former team, making for an intriguing subplot.
In contrast, Georgia (2-0) has been performing exceptionally well. Last week, quarterback Carson Beck threw five touchdown passes in a dominating 48-3 victory over Tennessee Tech. Georgia’s defense also showcased its strength, allowing just 18 passing yards, the lowest amount in the last two decades. The Bulldogs have a strong record against Kentucky, having won their last 14 encounters, including a lopsided 51-13 victory last season.
The game details are as follows:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: fubo (Try for free)
Key points to note for the matchup include:
– Brock Vandagriff’s challenge against Georgia: Vandagriff, who was once seen as a potential star for Kentucky following a troubled season with NC State transfer Devin Leary, has struggled in games so far. Last week’s loss to South Carolina saw Kentucky manage just 44 passing yards, marking their lowest total since a game against Louisville in 2019. Vandagriff, who played through an injury and was sacked four times, will need to perform well against his former teammates at Georgia.
– Kentucky’s SEC streak at risk: Since 2000, Kentucky has not started an SEC season with two losses. While Mark Stoops has provided stability to the program, the likelihood of an upset against Georgia seems slim. The Wildcats have had some success against ranked teams at home, winning three of their last six matchups.
– Georgia’s defensive preparations: Even though Kentucky’s running game is generally not outstanding, they did attempt to establish it with 18 consecutive rushing plays last week. Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart recognizes the physical nature of Kentucky’s approach, indicating that they bring a tough mentality to the field.
Prediction suggests that facing Georgia’s formidable defensive line will be a significant challenge for Kentucky. After their below-par performance against South Carolina, it’s anticipated that Vandagriff may struggle in this matchup. Georgia’s dominance in their rivalry with Kentucky, complete with an average winning margin of 19 points, leads to a predicted victory by 24 points for the Bulldogs.