by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Oct 14, 2021
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET, October 16, 2021
Venue: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Georgia -21.5
BetMGM: Georgia -21.5
Caesars: Georgia -21.5
Season record
No. 11 Kentucky: 6-0 (4-0 SEC)
No. 1 Georgia: 6-0 (4-0 SEC)
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Kentucky - Georgia preview and analysis
Recent form
Kentucky: won 42-21 vs. LSU on Oct. 9
Georgia: won 34-10 at Auburn on Oct. 9
You knew it was coming. It's sad, but it was coming.
The Kentucky Wildcats are about to come crashing down to Earth.
It's a shame because you find yourself rooting for the teams that don't normally find themselves in SEC contention and want them to do well. Kentucky has put together a string of SEC wins, especially against the Florida Gators two weeks ago. They're one of the feel-good stories of the year.
But man, the Georgia Bulldogs are just ... yeah.
The new No. 1 team in the country will host the Wildcats in Athens on Saturday as the Bulldogs continue their stretch of facing ranked teams. Make no mistake: This game has nothing to do with what Kentucky can or can't do; it has everything to do with Georgia's defense.
This will be Georgia's third straight game facing a ranked conference opponent, and if the last two weeks ar eany indication, Kentucky is about to be overmatched by the best team in the country.
Georgia has allowed a grand total of 33 points ... this season. Not the last two weeks or even three. We're talking an entire season in which Georgia has outscored opponents 239-33. The 10 points allowed in their 24-point win over the Auburn Tigers last week were the second most given up this season and only the third touchdown allowed.
The Alabama Crimson Tide, even on their best day, haven't put anything like that together.
Keep in mind this is all while Georgia has questions pertaining to their starting quarterback. JT Daniels is still questionable with an injury, but Stetson Bennett has done what is asked of him. He threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn, outdueling the Tigers' veteran Bo Nix.
It's not an offense known for its big plays, but the Bulldogs have shown that can happen at time. Bennett threw a 60-yard touchdown to Ladd McConkey in the third quarter. The offense, as a whole, outgained Auburn 412-318.
Kentucky is a run-first offense led by Chris Rodriguez Jr. averaging more than six yards per carry. The Wildcats aren't going to do much through the air with quarterback Will Levis. Not only has Kentucky not topped 200 yards passing since Week 1, but the Bulldogs are holding teams to 137 passing YPG.
On the ground? Georgia has allowed 67 yards.
This defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in the first half yet this season.
Prediction
Georgia has won 11 straight meetings, but Kentucky has covered the last two. And honestly, a cover would be just as much a moral victory for UK than anything else. As great for chaos purposes to see Kentucky win this one, it's just not happening. A cover, however? It's happening. Georgia by 20
Betting trends
The under is 6-1 in Kentucky’s last seven games as a road underdog.
Kentucky is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 October games.
Georgia is 25-2 straight up as a favorite in the last three years. Since 1992, the Bulldogs are 232-53.
Statistical leaders
Kentucky:
Passing: Will Levis -- 1,134 yards, 11 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Chris Rodriguez Jr. -- 768 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Wan’Dale Robinson -- 527 yards, 4 TD
Georgia:
Passing: Stetson Bennett -- 746 yards, 8 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Zamir White -- 354 yards, 6 TD
Receiving: Brock Bowers -- 315 yards, 4 TD
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
