3 Georgia players to watch against Kentucky

The toughest game on Kentucky’s schedule has arrived. On Saturday night between the hedges at Sanford Stadium, first place in the SEC East will be decided in a prime-time window in the game against No. 1 Georgia.

UGA has dominated this series (62-12-2) series lead and has not lost to Kentucky since 2009. The Bulldogs have won each game in this series by double-digits since 2017. However, Kentucky has covered the last four meetings holding the Bulldogs to 30 points or less in each of those contests. The Wildcats have played Kirby Smart‘s team tough and now needs to close the gap.

We know the players that Kentucky needs to play well in this game. Now let’s take a look at the players that Georgia needs to play well on Saturday night.

Carson Beck is playing winning football

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterback Stetson Bennett IV have both moved on to the NFL. To replace them, Kirby Smart promoted from within house. The Bulldogs promoted analyst Mike Bobo to offensive coordinator. Fourth-year quarterback Carson Beck was named QB1 after spending last season as Bennett’s backup.

Through five games, Georgia has not been as good on offense as they were the last two seasons but Beck has played winning football for an offense that has surprisingly had to lean more pass-first.

UGA is dealing with multiple injuries at tailback and on the offensive line. That has put more on Beck’s plate. The new QB1 in Athens is getting rid of the ball fast.

The redshirt junior is completing 72 percent of his 32.2 throws per game on 9.3 yards per attempt. Beck has been efficient (54.3% passing success rate) and explosive (20 completions of 20+ yards) while taking care of the football (9.3% passes defended rate). Over 60 percent of Beck’s throws have been 10 yards or less. His average depth of target (7.7) is the seventh-lowest in the Power Five. The ball is coming out of Beck’s hands quickly for easy throws. Georgia’s offensive line has created clean pockets and the new QB has played well.

Kentucky should have some success when it comes to fitting UGA’s traditional run game, but the pass defense will be challenged. The Wildcats need Beck to make some mistakes. If Georgia’s QB plays clean football and gets the ball to the playmakers on the perimeter this offense could create a lot of scoring opportunities. That would not be good news for Kentucky.

The Wildcats must force Beck to make some mistakes.

Winning in isolation

Kentucky has to make some plays in the passing game to win this game. There is no getting around it. That will be easier said than done this week.

Georgia has one of the best pass defenses in college football ranking No. 3 in yards per attempt, No. 4 in QB rating, and No. 11 in passes defended per game. The Bulldogs are outstanding in the secondary. Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann will not be afraid to put his cornerbacks on an island. Kentucky will get one-on-one situations on the perimeter.

Kamari Lassiter is the more experienced cornerback. Opposite of Lassiter, former top-50 recruit Daylen Everette has stepped into a starting role as a true sophomore and has seen 19 targets, according to PFF Data. The Virginia native has given up 10 receptions on 19 targets and is coming off a rough tackling performance against Auburn. Expect Kentucky to try and attack the young cornerback in the short passing game, challenge him down the field, and try to isolate him in the perimeter run game.

Kentucky will have to pick its spots when challenging the Georgia secondary. That could often mean challenging Everette. If the young cornerback plays well, this UGA defense will likely produce a ton of stops on Saturday night.

Slowing down the best player in college football

An argument can easily be made that Brock Bowers is the best player in college football. The junior tight end will be a popular many in fantasy drafts in the near future. Stopping him will be easier said than done.

On the road against Auburn, the two-time All-American put on the cape and creating explosive plays with some incredible run-after-catch moments. On the season, Bowers leads this offense in targets (40), receptions (30), receiving yards (413), and receiving touchdowns (three). He will get his touches. Can Kentucky get him on the ground?

The Wildcats cannot let Bowers run wild with the football on Saturday night. Mike Bobo is force feeding Bowers the football and will have the junior involved in the run game. Kentucky must know where Bowers is at all times and must tackle well when he has the football.

Georgia’s offense depends heavily on Bowers to create explosive plays. If Kentucky is able to tackle well, it could require a ton of long, sustained drives for the Georgia offense.

Kentucky’s clearest path to victory is to win the explosive play battle. Bowers is Georgia’s most explosive player. Slowing him down could give the road team a great shot at pulling the double-digit upset.