The SEC opener, on the road, and it’s at night. In prime time. For a national audience. Carried on a network that doesn’t even need a subscription! What, me worry?
Here’s what I’m NOT worried about when we meet the administrators of John Calipari’s TIAA 403(b) account:
1. It’s not a rivalry. Georgia has beaten UK 14 times straight, the last 8 by Kirby Smart, and all 11 with current lifetime contract coach Mark Stoops leading the Lexingtonians . Even Ray Goff was 6-1 against the MildCats, and that is likely framed and on display at a Zaxby’s somewhere. The last time Kentucky took 2 of 3 from UGA, Mick Jagger wasn’t even registered with AARP.
2. The Big Self-Checkout. Kroger Field has been described as a hostile environment to visiting teams, as Kentucky fans are very loyal and know how to show up. They probably don’t have the loathing for UGA as they do for Louisville or maybe Tennessee, but they do support their program religiously.
The antivenom to this is something Kirby Smart carries in his toiletry bag – score early. There’s no better example than when Georgia came calling to the #9 undefeated Wildcats in 2018 with the SEC East on the line. The Bulldogs bludgeoned the Cats from the kickoff, and the game was essentially over by the 3rd quarter even though the score wasn’t out of reach. The fans weren’t a factor after the first 20 minutes. From what little I’ve seen, the fanbase isn’t exactly pumped with their team after a disappointing performance against South Carolina, and I think they’ve made their usual turn to basketball season.
3. Throw the damn ball, Bobo. As you’ll see below, the strength of the Wildcat defense is up front. The secondary is questionable. It’s a small sample size, but so far Kentucky is allowing over a 70% completion rate and over 8 yards per attempt. And this was facing offenses that weren’t exactly designed by Hal Mumme or Bill Walsh. If you saw any of last week’s Gamecock game, you saw garnett receivers wide freakin’ open more often than not. This completely ruined the good pass rush the UK front was getting. I’m getting excited about Arian Smith getting behind them, Dominic Lovett squatting in the open zone, Landon Humphreys catching that deep cross, and Colbie Young snagging touchdowns in the corner.
Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch. So here’s what does worry me about Saturday’s contest against the Fightin’ Blue Fescues:
1. Run to the Hills. Kentucky had the nation’s 15th-best rush defense last year, and all but one starter from 2023’s front seven returned. In Game 1 this season, Southern Miss was held in complete check, rushing 12 times for 5 yards (weather shortened). South Carolina at least tried the running game, but after 34 attempts could only eke out 86 yards (including a lot of sack yardage). The Kentucky front 7 seems stout… the back 4 do not.
The Georgia running game has been robust, but not necessarily out of the gate. It is really in the 2nd half of games this season that the yardage has started to pile up, as Georgia wears down the opponents and tries to keep the clock ticking. Just because it hasn’t been robust doesn’t mean it isn’t effective – the play-action and setting up the pass has worked for good early scoring. But I worry it could take a step back this week: with film available, a ferocious front to face, and Nate Frazier dinged up last week. Plus, if the weather is anything like 2019, the passing game might not be an option and Georgia might be forced to rely almost exclusively on trying to punch through Kentucky’s Blue Wall.
2. Blue Brock. If Ty Webb were to voice his thoughts on the first year Kentucky signal caller, I imagine he would say “You’re not, uh… you’re not… you’re not good.”
So far the search for bluer pastures hasn’t panned out like I’m sure Vandagriff was hoping. It started off okay with a 12-18 and 3 tuddies performance against Southern Miss. Then the Gamecocks happened. And throwing a pick six resulted in a benching at the start of the 4th quarter.
But the Beard from Bogart had 2 years under Todd Monken, and a year under Mike Bobo. Methinks he picked up a few things. And if his offensive line can block, well, anybody, then he’s likely to show off that former 4star/5star arm. Full transparency: I was a Vandagriff fan. If for no reason other than being homegrown and initially loyal to his childhood fandom. Upon reflection, I also wanted Jacob Eason over Jake Fromm, I wanted JT Daniels over Stetson Bennett, and I wanted Matt Schaub over Matt Ryan. So we probably shouldn’t listen to me.
3. DSK is not just a conglomerate out of India. There were a lot of negatives losing to the Game Chickens at home, but a bright spot for the Wildcats was running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. Known as DSK, the senior has secured the RB1 position in UK OC Bush Hamden’s offense.
A transfer from NC State, Sumo-Karngbaye emerged after the departure of Ray Brown, and is averaging 5 yards a clip. He ran the ball 17 times for 70 tough yards against a penetrating SC front 4 that was flying to the ball. And I still get triggered by the memory of Auburn and Georgia Tech running for over 200 yards against us just last year, and Ole Miss trying like hell to. So I’d much rather stuff that run and make UK one-dimensional.
Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Sound off in the comments below what worries you about the Bulldogs of Georgia versus the Wildcats of Kentucky. And as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!