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.
How to watch No. 1 Georgia vs. Kentucky live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Kroger Field — Lexington, Kentucky
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
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No. 1 Georgia vs. Kentucky: Need to know
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.”
No. 1 Georgia vs. Kentucky prediction, picks
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
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