Dawgs and Cats face off between the hedges on Saturday at high noon in what could be Mark Stoops’s last visit to Sanford as Kentucky’s head coach. Our Dawgs look to keep Alabama from beating them twice. In the meantime, Kentucky has lost their 2 conference games and look for a way to claw to bowl eligibility. Let’s get to the first look.
Series record
Georgia has dominated the series throughout with a record of 64-12-2. The Dawgs have won 15 in a row.
Last meeting
Georgia wins a tight game in Lexington 13-12. The Dawgs play a terrible game offensively and enable Kentucky to play keep away with the ball on offense. In a classic game in Lexington, Kirby is more than happy to play the game close to the vest. This game was what could happen when Kirby decides not to use his decided talent advantage … thank goodness we didn’t get burned.
Gambling degenerate facts
The Dawgs are currently a 20.5 point favorite with a 48.5 point total. The Dawgs are a -1800 favorite on the money line.
Interesting statistic 106.27 – team passer rating
Considering Kentucky has played 2 cupcakes, this statistic is downright awful. If the Cats can’t find some consistent passing game, they really have no chance to move the ball consistently against the Dawgs’ defense.
Early outlook
Without creating cheap field position with turnovers or special teams, Kentucky has a very narrow path to victory. Stoops must shorten the game to have a chance to pull the upset. Will Kirby try to out physical Kentucky and continue to run into stacked fronts, or will he allow the passing game to get athletes into space to create explosive play opportunities?
Is it too much to ask for this team not to play around and make this much more difficult than it needs to be?
What’s your thoughts on a Wednesday morning? Let us know in the comments below.
As I commented on another GTP thread, I am in “show me “ mode. With an anticipated dead crowd, it’s time for the coaching staff to produce a worthy product.
Time to stop playing with your food. Jump on U.K. hard and fast make it a never in doubt game as it should be.
I haven’t seen anything in the last 3 years outside of the Texas games that makes me think this will happen. When we start slow against SW Georgia School for the Blind, we’re told that Kirby and Bobo are keeping it vanilla to not give away our sekrit plans. When we start slow against SEC competition, it’s because it’s the SEC and everything is tougher. There’s always an excuse, but never any pre-game adjustments.
Like elbertadawg above, I’m now in the “I’ll believe it when I finally see it” camp.
That’s an interesting point. If we showed “vanilla” in the first games what was last week besides “Rocky Road”?
An inability to run anything other than vanilla cause we suck at executing it because we aren’t good enough.
Would love to see us come out mad as heck and blow the fightin Stoops’ doors off, but I feel like this will be a slog and UK stays within a couple scores making for an uncomfortable afternoon.
Have you seen a Georgia team come out and play angry since the Texas game in Austin or the Clemson game in Atlanta?
Even in the 2nd Texas game, it felt like we were a couple of plays from letting that game completely slip away in the 1st half.
Do we psych ourselves out every year talking about how physical Kentucky is? I’m hoping we come out pissed off and ready to start another long home winning streak.
And how much will we all melt down if Vandy handles Bama this week? I don’t think it will happen, but it’d be hilarious if it did.
Here’s the recent history of games in Athens.
23 – Dawgs by 38
21 – Dawgs by 17 (including the cheap TD at game’s end)
19 – Dawgs by 21 (shutout in the rain)
17 – Dawgs by 29
Even going back to the Richt era during this win streak, the Cats have only lost by single digits once (9 in 2011). Kentucky has won in Athens 3 times since 1970, and one of those was a team that ended up on probation.
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking ee. Dawgs have dominated KY in Athens and I doubt this year will be any different. Hopefully, they do start fast and use that momentum to get out of this rut of slow starts. If the defense gives up plays to KY, then I’ll really be pissed.
In Athens, I don’t work about the win, just the optics. Will they come out and kick ass or just go through the motions. If this were in Lexington, it would not be Munsoning to be worried about actually losing the game.
Agreed. It seems like Kirby always talks UK up and then we play like crap (especially in Lexington). I’m ready to see us play to our potential.
Can we please get the TEs and Noah Thomas involved in this game? Thomas has to be wondering why he came to Georgia at this point. He has 3 freaking receptions.
I have no idea what the deal is there with Thomas. Is it health? Is it knowledge of the playbook? Does he not get after people blocking? Is it that he is competing with Young for snaps?
On the TEs, are they just not there? Does Bobo think he needs to use those guys to assist with pass pro? Are teams intentionally trying to take them away to force the ball to go elsewhere?
No idea.
I believe I saw more TE use on the right side. Need to watch the replay to see how much and if for just running or pass pro. My perception was just the former.
And I think Humphries never was a target. That’s malpractice if true.
Humphreys caught a pass. Can’t recall if he was targeted an any other plays.
Saw a few replays and clips from Saturday, but only one where Young, Thomas, and Branch were on the field at the same time. Young and Thomas ran streaks, Branch a skinny post, and no one was open. Not even a TE option to leak out since you had the entire fucking middle of the field open with the receivers running downfield. A little running back or TE leak play and we would’ve had an explosive play. I say that to say to have those three on the field at the same time and run such a vanilla play is almost criminal, so I have to wonder if it’s shitty coaching and scheme or do the guys not have their heads screwed on straight for the second year in a row.
I am guessing TEs are staying home to block since our tackles are either banged up or just turned 18 kind of thang.
The tackles have to be older than that, otherwise ESPN would be talking about how Uini is the youngest OL to whiff on multiple blocks in NCAA history.
Ouch!
This
“Is it too much to ask for this team not to play around and make this much more difficult than it needs to be?”
Amen, and amen.
The answer tho is:
“Probably.”
Fortunately, I don’t think they have the offense to get out to a big lead. I hear they’re shit at qb which is pretty much fatal vs. a Kirby-led defense.
Coming out slow and coming on strong; what can be the cause? I dunno. Maybe our schemes are old and well known, meaning we need time to overpower the other team, i.e. it’s coming but you can’t stop it. It could be a practice issue where we are just not prepared to execute at full speed early in the game. Or maybe we just need to get kicked in the balls before responding. Could be all three. I have no idea, but getting in the hole early is no way to live and play football.
Kentucky is awful again this year, but SEC level talent. The D should be fine after the ass chewing they’re getting this week. On offense it’s time Bobo and Gunner get going. I’m sure we’re going to run…a lot and should be successful. But it’s time to stretch the field with our horses. Branch, Young, Humphries, Thomas and all the TEs currently noted as missing on milk cartons. Gunner needs to see the open receivers downfield and not just his sideline out targets.
We should score 40 on Kentucky and hold them under 20. Not just Homecoming but a rehab game. Like noted above…show me.
Try a little carrot and stick with the assistant coaches and players. Get your act together and win big or your checks are in the mail.
No expectations = no disappointment. This is my mindset going forward. I’m too old for this shit.
I’ll all for earning the right to name this game “Midnight Madness,” as it kicks off basketball season every year for the Cats.
Post of the day!
Kentucky is the worse team in the league and is a horrible matchup against Georgia. They have no passing game and we shut down the run. I don’t see Kirby blowing out his friend to be the one who gets him fired, but I do expect a comfortable win. 31-10.