The Dawgs take a step up in competition after Saturday’s systematic demolition of Tennessee State with a 12:45 date on the SEC Network against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The most interesting storyline entering the game appears to be the all-white uniform that recruits have used for dress up and social media photos will be used on the field at Sanford. Let’s get to the first look.
Series record / last meeting
Georgia leads 1-0. In 2006, the Dawgs rout WKU 48-12 in a game led by a strong defensive effort combined with an anemic passing game as Joe T started and eventually Matthew Stafford threw his first collegiate TD pass. Mikey Henderson opened the scoring with a 67 yard punt return TD. The Georgia defense created field position throughout the game allowing the offense to put up points without breaking 300 yards of total offense.
Gambling degenerate facts
According to DraftKings, Georgia is a -40.5 point favorite (after opening at -35.5) with a point total of 54.5. Once again, the money line is off the book. I’m not sure what to think about the lines after last week. Are the betting markets seeeing that Kirby is trying to make a point, or is WKU just awful after taking a 35-point pounding from (check notes) Nevada?
Interesting statistic: 7.69 (Rushing yards per attempt allowed)
The Hilltoppers allowed 323 yards and 5 TDs on the ground on Saturday to the Wolfpack. Needless to say, they are taking an enormous step up in competition on Saturday between the hedges. Nevada’s tailback averaged over 13 yards per attempt while gaining 152 yards, and their QB averaged over 8 per attempt. While I doubt we go over the 323, I would expect us to be in the 7+ range per attempt.
Early outlook
WKU has been one of those mid-majors who can be a thorn in the side. On initial look, this edition of the Hilltoppers doesn’t look like that. This situation is the unintended consequence of the transfer portal and NIL. A program like this finds a few players who were under the radar, and then they are gone when they show the big boys any potential. The Dawgs are going to win and likely win with margin. The question is whether they cover the enormous number.
Given they only scored 14 against Nevada, I can’t imagine they will do more than that without a lot of help, so I’m assuming there will again only be one digit on the other side of the scoreboard. On offense, is half a hundred too much to ask in consecutive weeks? Probably.
Solid win heading into SEC play and we get to see a lot of the younger players get more reps.
What’s your thought right now for Saturday?
Will you be wearing white on Saturday whether in Sanford or at home?
Let us know in the comments below.
Is wearing white after Labor Day OK?
Absolutely, considering it will probably be 100+ down on the field again this Saturday. Play errbody again and come away with no injuries. Then get ready to put a beatdown on Arkansas’s new HC Silverfield for his smartass comments about us. He tried his best to walk back those comments after taking that job and seeing UGA on his schedule. FTMF
Wearing white after Labor Day is a thing when it’s greater than 85 outside. They have asked for folks to wear white, so I will.
Great. So we’re taking a page out of Pedo State’s fan guide. Got it.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see us get up on these guys 35-00 or so and then see Kirby shut it down. There are a bunch of guys on that staff with ties to Georgia and Kirby isnt going to want to just humiliate them. I don’t know how many they will score, probably not a lot, but I will be surprised to see us much over forty at the end.
That loss to Nevada for WKU was interesting. I had heard Nevada had a couple good players likely to be transfer portal targets next year and they balled out against WKU. Their head coach used to be on Sark’s defensive staff here. They run a HUNH offense, air raid style, and got a bunch of explosive plays. A 72-yard reverse helped that rushing average a lot. Anyway, The Dawgs don’t run that offense, obviously. Also, Tyson Helton is still WKU’s coach and a good friend of Kirby’s. I tend to doubt he’s going to embarrass him, but they don’t look very good this year and Georgia does. It should definitely be a comfortable win. I’m with you again on the score range, say 48-6.
I like the white uniforms. I don’t like cupcakes. I do understand their need and place in CFB. Just win easily and don’t get hurt and I’ll enjoy this cupcake.
White is already our away game uni. This is stupid but so is playing another cupcake paid for by season ticket holders. Near repeat of last week as starters score easily and team wants to see Montgomery in again throwing deep. 48-10.
The helmet and the pants are the real change.
All white is not fake juice considering the opponent. With temperatures as high as they are, white is logical. On the other hand, stripping the stadium is going too damn far.
Hey now … stripping in the stadium should be encouraged.
They aren’t striping the stadium. It’s just wear white.