It’s Homecoming in Athens, and time for the Dawgs to get right after the loss last week to Alabama. Your Georgia vs. Kentucky preview. Let’s hear from Kirby Smart, the players, and get a preview of the game.
Between the Hedges: Georgia vs. Kentucky
What Are the Game Details?
Opponent: Alabama
History: Georgia has won 15 straight and leads the series 64-12-2.
Last meeting: Georgia defeated Kentucky 13-12 in a forgettable game last year.
Date and Time: Saturday, Oct. 4th | Noon EST
Location: Vince Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.
Television: ABC
Spread: #GoDawgs -20,5
What Should You Know About Kentucky?
Let’s face it. Kentucky is not great. They have been at or hovering near the bottom of the SEC for the last two years. Still, Georgia has struggled to really put the Wildcats away. Whether Georgia has been complacent or Kentucky has just gotten up for the game, it has been a struggle and a hard watch for Georgia fans. Kentucky is winless in conference play (0-2) and has only won against Toledo and Eastern Michigan. The transfer running back duo of Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell has been a bright spot for the Wildcats, while the quarterback remains a question. Neither transfer Zack Calzada nor redshirt freshman Cutter Boley has been able to secure the job. Kentucky ranks last in the SEC in completion percentage and second-to-last in passing yards per game. In addition, the offensive line has given up nine sacks and seven hurries in its two conference matchups. Not great, Bob.
What Should You Expect From Georgia on Offense?
Chauncey Bowens stepped in last week in a big way after a second-quarter fumble. Bowens showed that he has the ability to hold onto the ball and can throw the rock for the Dawgs. That doesn’t mean there are divisions, though, in the running back room. Smart addressed how close the two running backs were. “They love each other, man. The fact that [Nate Frazier] was cheering and happy for [Chauncey Bowens], shows what kind of culture we built here. He was pumped for him, and he was crushed for himself. He’s upset and knows that he’s got things he has to work on. He has to continue to improve. Nate’s not afraid of hard work. He’s not afraid to go out there and get to work, and improve, and we’ll continue to do that. Look, you don’t get through this gauntlet of SEC games without having multiple backs, and having guys ready, and I feel good about that room.”
For Georgia to be successful in 2025, it will need great effort from both Frazier and Bowens. Frazier has been a bit careless with the ball the last two games, losing two fumbles. If he can do that, the Dawgs will be tough to stop.
What Should You Expect From Georgia on Defense?
Georgia had a tough time getting off the field last week against the Tide. Alabama converted 13 of 19 third downs. Smart was asked this week how those long possessions can impact Georgia’s defense. Smart was quick to defend his team. “Do you want to start with three-and-out on defense? Hell yeah. Do you want to start with three-and-out on offense? Hell no, but it is what it is. How do you do it better? Maybe we change something up, maybe we do something different, but at the end of the day, I’m very confident in who we are. The week before, on offense, we drove down and scored. The two weeks prior, on defense, it was bang, bang, bang, out, out, out. We didn’t even play 50 snaps. Now, our opponents weren’t great, but we’ve done it both ways. I don’t get caught up in that, I get caught up in the process over results.”
While Smart didn’t answer the question in the way many of us would have liked, it does raise a concern. Georgia had difficulty getting home on Ty Simpson and doing much to disrupt the Alabama offense. Sure, the run defense was good. But the Tide was still able to convert a few late third downs and get some big runs to put the game away. Kentucky will more than likely not pose a problem this week. But with Auburn looming next week and Ole Miss the week after, Smart will need more from the Dawgs’ defense.
Who wins Georgia vs. Kentucky?
Smart shared how there were no long faces on Sunday after the loss to Alabama. Although the players weren’t happy, it didn’t dampen their enthusiasm or readiness to start the week. “Our guys are fired up, got work done yesterday, and a bunch of them came in. I think when you see our guys, you realize how invested they are when they hurt. It’s good when guys hurt, because you hurt relative to how invested you are in something.” Let’s hope they bring that same energy at noon Between the Hedges.
Georgia 38
Kentucky 6
Main Image: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
