The No. 1 team in the country has looked the part through the first two weeks of the season. The Georgia Bulldogs are 2-0 and have outscored their opponents, Clemson and Tennessee Tech, 82-6.
Head coach Kirby Smart is going for his third national championship in four seasons, but first, he has to continue his dominance over the SEC in the regular season. Georgia has won 41 straight regular season games and on Saturday at Kroger Field in Lexington, the Bulldogs look to extend that streak against the 1-1 Kentucky Wildcats and former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff.
Vandagriff and the Wildcats have already begun their SEC slate in 2024 and last week against South Carolina it didn’t go well. Kentucky lost 31-6 and Vandagriff finished 3/10 for 30 yards with an interception. Georgia’s dominance and Kentucky’s struggles have made the Dawgs big favorites for Saturday night’s matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Let’s take a look at the betting odds.
In 2023 when these two teams met, Georgia came away with a 51-13 victory, but this matchup isn’t typically that one-sided. Yes, the Bulldogs have won 14 straight meetings, but in 2022 it was by only a 10-point margin (16-6) and in 2020 by 11 (14-3). Georgia has only covered the spread in six of the last 10 meetings and the under has been just as profitable at 6-4.
Last week, Kentucky’s biggest issue was blocking South Carolina’s defensive line. Vandagriff was pressured on nine of his 14 dropbacks and sacked three times. The Wildcats offensive line won’t be able to hold up against Georgia, but with Mykel Williams and Warren Brinson both doubtful to play after missing Week 2, Georgia doesn’t have the depth of pass rushers to completely wreck Kentucky’s gameplan.
Georgia will win, that’s not a huge question, but in a low possession game where Kentucky isn’t going to want to throw the ball very much and risk disaster with Vandagriff, the under could be an interesting bet. Four of the last five meetings between Georgia and Kentucky have finished under 45.5 points.
The goliath that is No. 1 Georgia enters conference play Saturday against a Kentucky program reeling from one of its worst, most inexplicable losses in the Mark Stoops era. Georgia is a massive favorite on the road. What could go wrong?
The Wildcats (1-1, 0-1 SEC) are coming off a 31-6 loss to South Carolina. The offense was abysmal, as its quarterbacks threw two interceptions and were sacked four times. Yes, quarterbacks is plural. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff was harassed throughout the game and didn't do much of anything to move the team, throwing for only 30 yards on 3 of 10 passing before he was benched in favor of backup Gavin Wimsatt in the fourth quarter. Vandagriff should start Saturday against his former team, which makes for quite the reunion in Lexington.
Meanwhile, Georgia (2-0) is firing on all cylinders. Last week, Carson Beck threw five touchdown passes in a 48-3 win against FCS Tennessee Tech. The defense allowed only 18 passing yards, the third-fewest allowed in this century. It will take a lot for Kentucky to upset the Bulldogs, who have won 14 straight against the Wildcats -- their longest active winning streak against an SEC team. The Bulldogs drilled Kentucky 51-13 in Athens last season.
Brock Vandagriff faces former team: Brock Vandagriff was labeled Kentucky's savior after a last season's failed experiment with NC State transfer Devin Leary, but he hasn't looked the part through two games. Kentucky managed only 44 passing yards last week in its loss to South Carolina, the program's fewest since throwing for only 4 yards in a win against Louisville in 2019. Vandagriff was sacked four times and played with a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 1, when he threw for 169 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in a 31-0 win against Southern Miss. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said the struggles were, "Not all on Brock. We didn't even give him a chance half the time, let's be honest." With the added pressure of facing Georgia, where he played last season behind starter Carson Beck, it will be interesting to see how he responds in Week 3.
Kentucky's solid SEC starts in jeopardy: As much of a roller coaster as a Kentucky season can provide, the Wildcats have not started a season 0-2 in the SEC since 2000. Mark Stoops has been the epitome of consistency, but upsetting Georgia seems like a bridge too far. The Wildcats have won three of their last six games against ranked teams at Kroger Field.
Georgia preparing for the run: Kentucky is not necessarily a stellar running team, but the Wildcats can force the issue. They called 18-straight run plays last week in its loss to South Carolina. The Wildcats finished with 139 yards, averaging only 2.9 yards per carry.
"[Stoops] has a workman-like, blue-collar toughness, physicalness, win-the-line-of-scrimmage mentality, and that carries over into his offense," Georgia's Kirby Smart said. "We've always said this has been the most physical game we've played in most years, especially when we played up there."
The prospect of facing Georgia's defensive line is daunting. Kentucky imploded last week against South Carolina, recording just 183 yards while allowing five sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The feeling here is Vandagriff will be having nightmares after facing his former team Saturday. Georgia's longest winning streak against an SEC team is Kentucky, which has lost 14 straight to the Bulldogs. The average margin of victory: 19 points. Pick: Georgia -24
What you need to know for Kentucky vs. Georgia at Kroger Field.
Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has Kentucky as a 21.5-point underdog with an over/under of 44.5. ESPN gives the Wildcats a 7.6% chance of victory.
Predictions: TeamRankings has Kentucky covering the spread but losing 33-12, while OddsShark has them losing 42—20. DRatings.com picks Georgia to win 34-16. I do believe Kentucky will respond after dropping the ball last week, but they will be no match for Georgia. I am taking Georgia to win 42-16.
It’s hard to be optimistic about the rest of the Kentucky Wildcats’ football season after the debacle vs. South Carolina.
However, we are just now entering Week 3, meaning there is plenty of football to be played. Unfortunately, the next game on the schedule is against the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, which is not exactly the ideal opponent to bounce back with.
The Bulldogs are arguably the best program in the country at the moment, having won two of the last three national championships. They have lost just two games in that span, both to Alabama.
Pulling off the upset would be a tall task for the Wildcats, but playing well is not out of the question. Just a little over 10 points have decided the last four contests between these two SEC foes at Kroger Field.
In comparison, Kentucky has lost by an average of about four touchdowns in Athens.
What must the Wildcats do to keep the game close and instill some confidence into the season? Are they capable of beating the Dawgs, which would be Kentucky's first victory in the series since 2009 and its first home win since 2006?
Let’s take a look at what needs to happen for the Cats to make this a game and keep hope alive for a shocking upset!
If you watched last week’s contest, the most glaring weakness was the offensive line. While the Gamecocks have some impressive pass rushers, including true freshman Dylan Stewart, there were multiple times they could not protect Brock Vandagriff with a 5-3 advantage. Preseason All-SEC selection Marques Cox earned a 5.1 grade (out of 100) on pass blocking by Pro Football Focus, and he’s arguably Kentucky’s best offensive lineman.
One of college football's most experienced offensive lines should and must be better throughout the rest of the season. Saturday is an opportunity to respond against one of the best defense fronts in the country in Georgia, which could be without potential No. 1 NFL Draft pick Mykel Williams.
How are they preparing to do that? Focusing on the fundamentals.
“When you look at when we had breakdowns, I think it starts with some very simple things,” offensive line coach Eric Wolford said Tuesday. “There’s a point to when you get on blocks, you gotta stick on blocks, finish, and play with tremendous strain.”
Kentucky’s offense last weekend left much to be desired to say the least, completing just six forward passes for a grand total of thirty passing yards. Many compared the production to a team of the 1920s, including SEC shorts.
A large part of the issues in the passing game stemmed from the offensive line's aforementioned poor play. However, Vandagriff’s lack of composure and Bush Hamdan’s play-calling did not help things.
The Wildcats did have some success running the ball, rushing for 180 non-sack yards. This week, they will likely play to that strength. However, threats like Barion Brown and Dane Key, who are able to make some explosive plays, need the ball in their hands to do so.
As mentioned before, the Kentucky-Georgia games played at Kroger Field have been competitive, including 2022, when, following a home loss to Vanderbilt, the Wildcats held Georgia to just one touchdown and 16 total points.
If Kentucky can keep the game within two scores and show better execution, some optimism can be salvaged for a seven or eight-win season (including a potential bowl victory).
Get blown out, and the fanbase might really begin to check out on the season before we even make it out of September.
How do you see this one playing out? Send us your score predictions in the comments section!
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Top-ranked Georgia isn’t allowing many points right now, a daunting obstacle for a Kentucky squad seeking ways to score some.
Those opposite trends don’t appear likely to change in Saturday night’s matchup of former SEC East rivals, but Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart believes the Wildcats still pose a threat.
"They are just as dangerous whether they won or lost that game, in my opinion," Smart said of the Wildcats’ 31-6 loss to South Carolina. "I know the football players they got. I know how physical they are. I know how they’re coached. And we’ve got to get ready for a really tough opponent."
The Bulldogs (2-0) have fulfilled the preseason hype as Southeastern Conference favorites and enter league play having outscored Clemson and Tennessee Tech by a combined 82-6, allowing each only a field goal.
Last week’s 48-3 shellacking of the Golden Eagles was a breather on many levels, with Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck tossing five touchdowns to five players in just over one half of action. The ’Dawgs outgained Tech 498-134 in a game shortened to 10 minutes in the fourth quarter.
Georgia ranks fifth in FBS total defense (161 yards per game) and 33rd in offense (472.5). The Bulldogs seek their 15th consecutive series win and enter as 24 1/2-point favorites according to BetMGM College Sports Odds.
Kentucky (1-1, 0-1 SEC) aims to rebound from one of its flattest overall performances under Mark Stoops against South Carolina. The Wildcats managed just 183 yards and two field goals in the loss and failed to score a touchdown for the first time since losing 21-0 to Iowa in the 2022 Music City Bowl.
Stoops lamented his team’s tepid response against the Gamecocks but owned up to the loss. He hopes players take responsibility for their own shortcomings and rise to the challenge against the Bulldogs.
"Bottom line, we’ve got to get better, and we have a great opportunity to do that this week against the very best teams in the country," Stoops said. "So, we’ll be up for that challenge. I do expect our team to respond."
Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff and senior outside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson will face their former Georgia teammates after transferring last season. Dumas-Johnson, a 2022 Associated Press second team All-American, made 126 tackles with 17 for loss and 9.5 sacks in 38 contests with 24 starts for Bulldogs. Vandagriff, who will make his third collegiate start backed up Stetson Bennett through two title runs and Carson Beck last season.
Trevor Etienne, who was suspended for the season-opening win over Clemson after an offseason arrest, provided a spark to the running game in his Georgia debut. The transfer from Florida rushed for 78 yards on just five carries against Tennessee Tech, including a 45-yard scamper. Nate Frazier and Branson Robinson also chipped in as the Bulldogs averaged 6.9 yards per carry.
"I think we have the best running back room in the country," offensive tackle Xavier Truss said. "As long as we do our job up front, we’ll get to showcase those guys all season."
Kentucky’s offensive line seeks major improvement after South Carolina stuffed many plays before they could develop. The Wildcats yielded five sacks for 41 yards, lost 60 yards on 11 tackles and generated just 44 yards passing – with some of those struggles occurring before left guard Jager Burton and Gerald Mincey left with injuries. Mincey is listed as probable and Burton doubtful on the SEC availability report.
Committing 11 penalties for 63 yards was bad for Kentucky. Worse was the Wildcats’ manner of doing so: two holding calls among three consecutive flags (one offsetting) during a third-quarter possession. That sequence followed a costly fourth-down offsides penalty that gave the Gamecocks a first down and set up a TD that made it 17-6. The Wildcats rank mid-pack in the SEC with 108 yards but Stoops is stressing better self-control against the nation’s top team.
Georgia is one of six teams not to have allowed a touchdown and is tied for fourth nationally in scoring defense. The Bulldogs have not allowed any first-half points through two games, and the second field goal came on the game’s final play.
Cat Walk
Pregame
1st Quarter
Georgia got the ball first and the Bulldogs made one first down before being forced to punt. After a penalty on the punt, the Cats took over at their own one yard line.
Kentucky got out of the shadow of its own goal posts on two runs by Vandagriff, covering a total of 21 yards. UK would get three first downs on the drive, crossing the 50 in the process, but the drive stalled and the Cats were forced to punt.
Georgia went three-and-out on its next drive and Kentucky took over near midfield with 5:17 to play in the first quarter. The Cats would get into Georgia territory before penalties moved the Cats back to near midfield. The UK drive would stall, but the Cats got on the board when Alex Raynor hit a 55-yard field goal, a Kentucky record, giving the Cats a 3-0 lead with 2:45 left in the first quarter. That would be the score after one quarter.
2nd Quarter
Early in the second quarter, on a fourth-and-one near midfield, Georgia tried to draw the UK defense offsides, but was unable to do so, and the Bulldogs punted it back to the Cats, who took over at their own 20. UK would make a first down before punting the ball back to the Bulldogs with 11:29 remaining in the first half.
Georgia started at its own 22 yard line. The Bulldogs would get to the 48-yard line before UK’s Zion Childress intercepted Carson Beck and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown. However, after video review, it was determined that the pass hit the ground prior to Childress taking possession and it was ruled to be an incompletion. Georgia did punt on the next play and the Cats took over at their own eight yard line with 8:10 left in the half.
Kentucky would move the ball into Georgia territory on the next drive before Vandagriff fumbled and Georgia’s Damon Wilson recovered at the UK 23 yard line. The Kentucky defense would hold, and Georgia would settle for a 34-yard field goal from Peyton Woodring, tying the game at 3-3 with 3:48 left in the half.
The Cats would get the final drive of the half and would march down the field and deep into Georgia territory largely due to Sumo-Karngbaye. The senior rushed for 51 yards on the drive, as the Cats go to the Georgia 14 yard line with nine seconds left in the half. Raynor would connect on a 32-yard field goal with five seconds left in the half, giving the Cats a 6-3 lead. That would be the halftime score.
3rd Quarter
Kentucky got the ball to start the third quarter and the Cats again went to the ground, using both Sumo-Karngbaye and Jamarion Wilcox to move the ball into Georgia territory. The Cats would get to the Georgia 28 yard line but faced a third-and-eight from there. Sumo-Karngbaye gained six yards but UK faced a fourth-and-two from the 22. Raynor came on for a 40-yard field goal, which he converted, and Kentucky took a 9-3 lead with 9:03 to play in the third quarter.
Georgia answered by assembling its best drive of the game, to that point. Beck got hot, passing for 65 yards on the drive and getting the Bulldogs inside the UK 10. However, a big defensive play by Ty Bryant and a third-down stop led to another Woodring field goal. This one was from 30 yards, it was good, and Georgia cut the UK lead to 9-6 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.
Kentucky went three-and-out on its next drive and was forced to punt. Georgia took over at its own 32 yard line with 2:17 left in the third quarter.
Georgia drove the ball into Kentucky territory as the third quarter came to an end, with the Cats clinging to a 9-6 advantage.
4th Quarter
As the fourth quarter began, that drive continued, eventually ending with the game’s first touchdown, a three-yard touchdown rush from Branson Robinson. Woodring added the PAT and Georgia led for the first time, 13-9, with 12:20 left in the game.
The Cats would answer with a sustained drive, combining a nice mix of run and pass. Vandagriff connected with Sumo-Karngbaye for 11 yards and Barion Brown for 14 yards. But Sumo-Karngbaye and Wilcox again provided solid ground gains. However, the UK drive would stall at the Georgia 32 and the Cats brought on Raynor once again. And again, the senior delivered, this time from 51 yards, to cut the Georgia lead to 13-12 with 8:01 remaining.
The Kentucky defense got the stop it needed on the following possession, forcing Georgia into another three-and-out. The Bulldogs punted and Kentucky took over at its own 16 yard line with 6:25 remaining in the game.
The Cats would drive into Georgia territory on the ensuing drive. However, near midfield, the drive stalled and Kentucky punted with 2:58 remaining. Georgia took over at its own 15 yard line.
