State of Play: Georgia looks to bounce back against Kentucky
It was always going to be tough for Georgia to go unbeaten in 2025. That’s just how competitive NIL has made college football. Teams aren’t as deep and talent is more evenly distributed across the country. Georgia is not immune to this trend, evidenced by the number of transfers it has dealt with over the past few seasons. While last week’s loss stung quite a bit, going unbeaten in any given year is only going to become increasingly tougher.
Even so, Georgia was woefully out-coached and exhibited too many errors in last week’s 24-21 loss to Alabama. The Bulldogs would love nothing more than to correct those mistakes and get back in the win column this Saturday against Kentucky.
Bouncing back
Georgia has a tough slate ahead in its pursuit for a College Football Playoff berth.
However, Saturday’s game isn’t included. While Mark Stoops has done an excellent job at turning Kentucky into a competitive SEC team, this year’s team might be one of his worst. The Wildcats rank 13th in the SEC in both scoring (27 points per game) and total offense (347 total yards per game). On defense, it’s somehow worse, with Kentucky ranking 14th in points allowed (26 per game) and 15th in total defense (396.5 total yards per game).
While Kentucky has struggled in most facets, it was competitive against Ole Miss in a 30-23 loss. Granted, the Wildcats made it a one-score game with only eight seconds remaining, they did jump out to an early 10-0 lead. Stoops will certainly try to motivate his players against a Georgia team that has looked vulnerable on both sides of the ball over the past two games.
That stated, Georgia had every opportunity to defeat Alabama a week ago. If there was ever a game to regroup and feel better about yourself, it’s this one.
The key to the game
Georgia will need to start fast on both sides of the ball. That hasn’t been a problem on offense for the most part. On defense, the past two weeks have been painful to watch in each of the first halves.
South Carolina sacked quarterback Cutter Boley six times last week, so the Kentucky offensive line is certainly vulnerable to pressures. However, Georgia only has five sacks and no one on the defensive line has totaled one. That will need to change this weekend.
A fast start and an early lead should be enough to force Kentucky into submission. The worst thing the Bulldogs can do is allow the Wildcats to hang around and start feeling confident. That’s when upsets begin to brew.
SEC Everest
Chasing the summit: Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas A&M
A camp behind: Texas, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Missouri
Advanced base camp: Mississippi State, Auburn
Base camp: South Carolina, Florida
About to request an Uber home: Kentucky, Arkansas
Games of note
No. 3 Miami at No. 18 Florida State: The Seminoles fell flat defensively in an upset loss at Virginia last week. They will look to avenge that loss with a quality win against Miami, which has been impressive in each of its games this season.
Mississippi State at No. 9 Texas A&M: Mississippi State took Tennessee to overtime a week ago but fell 41-34. An upset over the Aggies would do wonders for the surprisingly competitive Bulldogs.
No. 16 Vanderbilt at No. 10 Alabama: This weekend, the Crimson Tide will be looking for revenge against … checks notes … Vanderbilt. Yes, everyone remembers the Commodores’ incredible upset a year ago, when Diego Pavia first put his name on the map. Alabama opened as 13.5-point favorites and that’s since fallen to 10.5. Vanderbilt is the most experienced team in the SEC and returned almost every key contributor. Do not be surprise if this is a close game in the fourth quarter.
ICYMI
The latest injury report for Saturday’s game between Georgia and Kentucky.
Adryan Cole recaps his “different” visit to Georgia.
Four-star running back Moonie Gipson reacts to recent trip to Georgia.
Kirby Smart has been pleased with his team’s response in practice this week.
Chauncey Bowens‘ emergence has been a bright spot for Georgia’s offense.