Across the Ball: Three key matchups for Georgia-Kentucky

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said there was a lot of hurt following last Saturday’s 24-21 loss to Alabama. This is a good thing, he noted, as it shows just how much his players care about the season and the goals they want to accomplish.

While rewatching the game on film with teammates was probably even more painful than experiencing it in real time, it’s time for Georgia to turn the page and move onto Kentucky. While the Wildcats don’t appear to be the upset-minded squad from recent years, it’s still a physical bunch with a solid head coach in Mark Stoops.

Here are three matchups to watch for Georgia as it enters Saturday’s game against the Wildcats.

Georgia’s running backs vs. Kentucky’s front seven

This is a matchup that Georgia should exploit, especially with how the run game performed against Alabama. The Bulldogs totaled 227 rushing yards and averaged 6.7 yards per carry, with the offensive line doing an excellent job opening holes throughout the game. Kentucky’s defensive front has been kind to running backs thus far, ranking 13th in the SEC at 147 rushing yards allowed per game.

Chauncey Bowens is coming off the best outing of his young career, taking 12 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown. With his performance, Bowens should enter the week as the lead runner of the group. Nate Frazier figures to still be involved but he obviously needs to remedy his fumble issues.

Georgia made it a priority to return to a strong ground game and last Saturday paid off in that department. The matchup looks great for the Bulldogs in this department on Saturday.

Georgia’s pass rush vs. Kentucky’s offensive line

Like any game at this level, it comes down to the trenches. A primary reason Georgia lost to Alabama was its defensive line was unable to pressure quarterback Ty Simpson.

Last week against South Carolina, Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley was sacked six times and completed 10 of 19 throws for 124 yards and two interceptions. The Bulldogs only have five for the season — three from Chris Cole and one apiece from Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen. At some point a defensive lineman or edge rusher is going to step up and bring down the quarterback.

This may sound crazy, but if Georgia is unable to pressure Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley then all bets are off on this being the blowout many folks may be expecting. The last thing you want to do is give a young quarterback confidence by allowing him time to get a rhythm throwing the ball.

It will be incredibly important for the pass rush to finally land some hits repeatedly on the opposing quarterback.

Georgia’s secondary vs. Kentucky’s unproven receivers

The Wildcats haven’t done a great job throwing the ball, averaging just 159 passing yards per game. That should be a reprieve, in theory, after what Simpson did to them last Saturday.

If Georgia forces Kentucky into third-and-medium and third-and-long, Boley will have to drop back to pass to a receiving corps that has struggled quite a bit. Kendrick Law has been the most targeted Kentucky wideout with 13 receptions for 110 yards. Hardley Gilmore IV has the most big-play potential but has only caught six passes for 97 yards. The only two receiving touchdowns from Kentucky has come from tight ends Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez.

Georgia’s defensive backs have had tough outings in the past two games against Tennessee and Alabama. Perhaps Kentucky can be a get-right game for the secondary.

ICYMI

Smart addressed hurrying to the line on fourth-and-1 against Alabama instead of waiting for a potential official review on the spot of the ball.

Georgia’s defense is learning some lessons after Saturday’s loss to Alabama.

Why Smart remains optimistic about Georgia this season.

Texas commit Taven Epps is back from his weekend visit to Georgia.

Elite 2027 safety Tavares Harrington talks about his offer from “dream school” Georgia.