UGA vs. UK Prediction

Tomorrow afternoon the Bulldogs will head into Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Georgia has won 10 straight against Kentucky, dating back to the 2009 season. The series has been heavily dominated by Georgia as the Bulldogs lead the all-time series 59-12-2. Although the games are usually one-sided, more recently they have turned into more of a "trap-game" for the Dawgs. You have to give credit to Mark Stoops for that as he has somewhat turned the Kentucky football program around. Although Stoops record at Kentucky may not indicate it (45-46), he has definitely made the Wildcats a threat in the SEC East. Even two years ago, Stoops had Kentucky walking in as a top ten team playing Georgia at the end of the year in a chance to win the east division. Of course Georgia won 34-17, but it shows how much strides Stoops has made with the football program. This year the game between the Dawgs and Cats does not have as much implications but it's still a block in the road for the Bulldogs ultimate goal, a National Championship.

Georgia (3-1) comes into this game hoping to get back into the win column after a beat down two weeks ago in Tuscaloosa. Kentucky (2-3) is also hoping to get back in the win column as they were handed a 24-10 loss last week versus Missouri. Both teams are very similar in the way they play. Both like to pound the football and ultimately want to win the game in the trenches.

Kentucky has a very experienced team on both sides of the ball but the matchup that is going to have the most effect on the game to me is the Cats very talented offensive line versus Georgia's ridiculous defensive line. Kentucky has found its most success in running the football this year, averaging 184 yards per game on the ground. This has in part had to do with the amount of running backs Kentucky has used plus a running quarterback in Terry Wilson. Now, it could be a little different in tomorrow's game though as Stoops as elected to go with former 5-star ATH Joey Gatewood (previously played at Auburn) at the QB position. Stoops knows it 's going to be hard to run on this Georgia defense, who only gives up 65 rushing yards per game. Maybe Stoops elected to go with Gatewood because he is more of a throwing threat than Terry Wilson but still expect to see Wilson on the field for some plays. Either way, Stoops knows that Kentucky cannot afford to be one-dimensional against a defense like the Bulldogs. If Kentucky cannot move the ball through the air, then expect this Wildcats offense to struggle to get points on the board.

Georgia has some problems they have to deal wth offensively. They managed to get shut out in the second half of their last game against Alabama and have no momentum after a bye week the following week. Stetson Bennett and company will have to get something rolling this week before the Dawgs head down to Jacksonville next week to (probably) determine the SEC East champ. You would have to think that Kirby would try to settle in his quarterback as much as possible after his last outing. Bennett threw 3 picks versus Bama and it doesn't get any easier as the Wildcats defense have the most interceptions in the SEC, sitting at 9 total for the season. Expect Kirby to try to get the run game going early and have Bennett throw very simple passes (screens, check-downs, slants, etc.). The offensive line will have to be the reason Georgia wins this game. It's pretty simple for Georgia this week: dominate the game up front, run the ball effectively and get some confidence back in your quarterback. Defensively, I know for a fact this team is hungry to get back out there. They have been hearing all the talk of how much the best defense in college football got shredded versus Alabama. People are now questioning this Dawgs defense, which as we all know adds fuel to the fire.

Prediction: We know this Georgia defense is going to show up. Kentucky only averages 24 points per game and has not faced a defense CLOSE to the caliber of Georgia's. With the Wildcats real only threat on the outside being Josh Ali, it makes me wonder how effective Kentucky can be through the air, especially with a new QB starting. Every other receiver other than Ali has less than 68 receiving yards on the year. Looking at Georgia's defense, the only weakness you can maybe really point out is the secondary. This is due to the fact that Alabama threw for over 400 yards on them, but that's Alabama. This is Kentucky we are talking about and not to take anything away from them, but they are nowhere near skill level and depth when it comes to comparing them to UGA or Bama. Kentucky is not going to throw for 400 yards tomorrow. They will be very lucky if they can throw for 200. Due to the lack of passing game, the Wildcats will have to run the ball which we all know is Georgia's strong suit on defense. As long as the Bulldogs do not choke this one away offensively, expect the dawgs to win by at least two scores. I like the running game for Georgia and think it will have a big day tomorrow. Stetson will have to make a few throws to keep the Wildcats defense honest, but I think the run game is too much for Kentucky. As much as I want to see the Dawgs air it out to see if they can get the passing game going, I think Kirby wants to instill confidence in his QB and get out of Lexington with a solid win. I like Stet to have 200 yards passing and the run game to have around 175-200 yards.

Creator: Alex Slitz | Credit: aslitz@herald-leader.com

Copyright: Lexington Herald-Leader

My final prediction is:

Dawgs: 34

Wildcats: 13