Analyzing Kentucky's chances to beat Georgia in 2023

Kentucky football has plenty of hype entering the 2023 season despite a sour ending to the 2022 year. The Wildcats are just two years removed from their second 10-win season this century and are primed to make another run at double digit wins with the talent they’ve retained and acquired via the portal. For the Wildcats and head coach Mark Stoops, the next door to knock down is beating Georgia.

The Bulldogs have owned the ‘Cats since Stoops took over and have been the only SEC East power Kentucky has yet to topple since starting their current seven-year bowl streak. Even during their 10-win seasons in 2018 and 2021, Kentucky had games against Georgia with a shot at the SEC East title and were handled by Kirby Smart’s group.

Defeating the Dawgs is Mark Stoops’ final hurdle towards taking this program where many never dreamed: the SEC title game. So, can they realistically pull the upset off this year? Allow On3’s JD PicKell to break that down for you and explain why the Wildcat offense is nothing to scoff at. You can watch his analysis here or read his full comments right below.

JD PicKell evaluates Kentucky’s chances to upset Georgia

“Kentucky goes to Athens October 7th. We’re sticking with the same theme here. It’s about wide receiver play, if that is the one edge that you think you can maybe have over Georgia. Kentucky’s got a three-headed monster at wide receiver. Barion Brown: All-Everything freshman last year. Dane Key, another dog freshman for them. Some people in Kentucky believe that Dane Key was actually the best receiver for for Kentucky last year. Tayvion Robinson, dynamic in the slot. Like, they got some pieces now and not just one piece, which is crucial to where…if Georgia wants to play Kentucky straight up, you don’t need just one alpha wide receiver to get open, you got three options, you got three guys that, if they get open, you can get them the football, maybe good things can happen for you.

“The other side of this, and this is maybe a little bit more of a take that I’m in the minority on. But Will Levis, probably one of the most talented arms in college football last year. But even so, man, you know what he didn’t do well was take care of the football. The last two years, for Will Levis, double-digit interceptions.

“Now, enter into the fray via the transfer portal: Devin Leary from NC State. Devin Leary has never thrown double-digit interceptions in a season ever in college. So Devin Leary, still a very capable, talented quarterback if he takes care of the football. And maybe one of these guys or maybe it’s by committee between these three receivers — Robinson, Brown and Key. If one of them has a great day, that could be the edge for Kentucky. That could be the way that maybe you catch George sleeping October 7th after they play Auburn, they go to Jordan Hair. Maybe, just maybe, for Kentucky, that’s your edge in that ball game.

“Last thing I’ll say about Kentucky: Remember last year? It felt like Georgia just rolled through the regular season. Well, actually, Kentucky gave them a pretty good ball game. It was ugly, it was at Kentucky, it was rainy, final score was 16-6. As much as you want to say about Kentucky last year and what they didn’t do relative to expectations going into the year — only lost to Georgia by 10 points.

“We’re not into moral victories, but I think that’s one thing to watch for now. The problem is when you play Georgia, I just think this offense is going to continue to be dynamic. Like, I think Mike Bobo and Carson Beck, I don’t think they’ll miss a beat from where Bennett and Monkin left off. So you got to score with Georgia. Unfortunately, I don’t think you’ll hold them to 16 points this coming season, but there is a way, there is a path, I believe, for Kentucky to potentially get it done. So keep an eye on Kentucky.”