Game Matchup – 

Georgia Bulldogs 2-0

Kentucky Wildcats 1-1

Georgia Injury Report – 

Kentucky Injury Report – 

– DeaMonte Trayanum, RB, Out

– Hardley Gimore IV, WR, Out

– Devin Smith, LB, Out

– Darrion Henry-Young, DL, Out

– Courtland Ford, OL, Out

– Tavion Gadson, DL, Out

– Josiah Hayes, DL, Out

– Jason Patterson, RB, Doubtful

– Jager Burton, OL, Doubtful

– Brandon White, WR, Questionable

– Maxwell Harrison, DB, Probable

– Keeshawn Silver, DL, Probable

– Gerald Mincey, OL, Probable

Game Matchup: Georgia faces its first SEC road test on Saturday against the Wildcats. 

For Georgia fans, it might be easy to look at Kentucky’s result against South Carolina last week and scoff at the prospect of a Wildcat upset. Kentucky failed to find the endzone against the Gamecocks in their 31-6 loss, and former Georgia Quarterback Brock Vandagriff faced relentless pressure as he threw for only 3/10 completions. South Carolina, though, looks impressive against LSU as I write this, and last week’s loss for Kentucky may not be as bad as it originally seemed. 

The Wildcat injury report is, without question, lengthy, and they will most likely have a backup guard and tackle on the left side of the line. But the Dawgs defensive line is even more banged up. Mykel Williams, Jordan Hall, Warren Brinson, and Xavier McCloud will all likely miss the game due to injury, leaving Christen Miller, Tyrion-Ingram Dawkins, and Nazir Stackhouse as the likely starters. Regardless, Georgia will certainly hope to take advantage of Kentucky’s struggling offensive line. Ingram-Dawkins and Miller combined for four tackles for loss and a sack against Tennessee Tech last week. Jamaal Jarrett will likely rotate in as well at defensive tackle. 

The matchup that most are looking forward to, however, is between the quarterbacks. Carson Beck, coming off of his record-tying five touchdown performance against the Golden Eagles, faces his former backup Brock Vandagriff. While Vandagriff struggled in his first SEC matchup for the Wildcats, I expect a better performance this week. Out of all the quarterbacks Georgia’s defense will face this year, Vandagriff certainly has the most experience against them. If the Wildcat offensive line can give him some time and Brock can extend plays with his legs, he will cause trouble for Georgia. 

Georgia went into the 2022 matchup against the Wildcats as the clear favorites but struggled to a 16-6 victory in cold, windy, wet conditions. The forecast for Saturday is the same with a high chance of rain and thunderstorms throughout the evening. Georgia has a history of slow starts against SEC road opponents (see 2022 Missouri, 2022 Kentucky, 2023 Auburn).

My prediction is for Georgia’s offense to struggle in the first half on the road, but a breakout in the second half will lead to an easy victory for the Dawgs. Depth, Beck’s performance, and multiple turnovers will eventually lead Georgia to their first SEC victory of the season. 

Score prediction – UGA 34-10 Kentucky