Saturday Spotlight
(11) Kentucky Wildcats at (1) Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky: They’ve been trending in the right direction the last few seasons. In a conference where Alabama, Georgia, sometimes Florida, LSU, and Auburn reign supreme, they’ve been introducing themselves to the work of college football. Each year under Mark Stoops, the Kentucky Wildcats have climbed the ladder. With a straight face heading into this week, did you imagine them of all teams to be in second place in the SEC East? And be honest because I know I didn’t. The offense has finally put everything together. For years, they were heavily invested in running the football but in this game, you just can’t depend on one aspect of the game to get by. What happens when your ground attack gets taken away? You must always have something else to rely on in your offensive attack, Now, they have more balance. Liam Coen has truly had an impact on this offense. While they may not be the best in the SEC, they are improved. These Wildcats average thirty-one points per game through four conference games played which is up from last season. As a defense, they are a stingy group that only gives up 17.5 points per game. They have been such a great story this year along with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. This afternoon, they will take a trip to Athens, Georgia to face a viscous Bulldogs team (pun intended)
Georgia: So, I expected them to be good this year, but not as dominant as I’ve seen them play. They’ve really opened my eyes and it appears as if they have a serious chip on their shoulder. Look at these numbers. Week one against Clemson, three points allowed. UAB, week two, seven points, South Carolina, week three, 13 points, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas in consecutive weeks, they pitch shut outs and last weekend against the Auburn Tigers, they give up ten points. In six games on the season, the Georgia Bulldogs have given up a total of 33 points. I said this on “College Football Showdown” last week and I will say it again here. This Georgia defense simply has zero weaknesses. They have a punishing defensive line which attacks the line of scrimmage, the linebackers can play downhill and run from sideline to sideline and the secondary has also been lights out. I know Kirby Smart has been a defensive minded guy in his career and this could be the best defense he’s ever had since taking the head coaching job in Athens. Injuries have taken its toll on the offense, but others have stepped it up. They don’t need Stetson Bennett to take a game over with his arm. Just control things, hand the ball off and everything else will work from there. They’re back home today for their first game as the new number one ranked team.
Kentucky X-Factor: Will Levis– It will start with him and end with him. Will isn’t putting up monster numbers, but he’s effective and the job gets done, there’s no complaining from anyone. He must take care of the football in this one. Will is connecting on 64 percent of his passes and is also averaging close to nine yards per pass attempt with 8.4. He also gives the offense the balance with the running game.
Georgia X-Factor: Zamir White– Whether he’s running the football in between the tackles or bouncing outside, he’s a factor. If you don’t get to him soon, he will make your defense pay with either a big play or the possibility of a touchdown. He’s that dynamic of a football player. Zamir is an explosive, yet patient runner with the ball in his hands. I look for Georgia to get him going and the other running backs as well as they have since Bennett became quarterback.
Final Thoughts: Never in years did I think a game between these two teams would a game of the week! I said this with Arkansas a few weeks ago and I’ll say with Kentucky. They must be innovative offensively. That’s the only way they’ll be able to move the football against this stone wall that’s been the Georgia defense. It’ll be critical for the Wildcats to stretch the field today. Well, at least attempt to stretch the field. Other receivers must step up in the passing game. For Georgia, dominate in the trenches with your offensive line. This Kentucky defensive line will put up a fight on the line of scrimmage. Run the ball, Bennett controls things and all will be well.
Prediction: Georgia 41, Kentucky 10
