KSR Gameday: Georgia rolls in repeat, Kentucky hosts South Carolina

If there was ever any doubt, Georgia laid it to rest early last night: the SEC just means more, and the Bulldogs are the cream of the crop. The No. 1 team in the land absolutely rolled No. 3 TCU 65-7 to become the first back-to-back national champion in the sport since Alabama in 2012. It was a rout of epic proportions, the Bulldogs coasting to a 38-7 lead at halftime and 52-7 at the start of the fourth quarter. At one point, Georgia had nearly as many points (45) as it had plays (48). Quarterback Stetson Bennett went to the sideline with 13:25 remaining to a resounding ovation, with six touchdowns under his belt.

The blowout was so bad that Georgia’s social media account fired off “Hypnodawg,” its version of TCU’s “Hypnotoad,” in the third quarter.

hypnoDAWG.mp4 pic.twitter.com/63RTmK4xjr

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) January 10, 2023

The actual Bulldog, nine-year-old UGA X, couldn’t make the trip, but rest assured, he was watching and cheering from home.

Uga is locked in back in Athens 🤣 🐶 pic.twitter.com/ksm0yUnV6t

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 10, 2023

Georgia is now the fifth team to finish 15-0 and the first to repeat as national champion in the College Football Playoff era. The Bulldogs are just the fourth to go back-to-back since 1990, joining Nebraska (1994 and 1995), Southern California (2003 and 2004), and Alabama (2011 and 2012). How fitting was it that Nick Saban was watching from above from the College Gameday desk as Smart, his former defensive coordinator, made it clear the Georgia Bulldogs are now a dynasty in their own right?

So, get ready for a day of praise for Georgia — and rightfully so — but it’s worth noting that Kentucky held the Bulldogs to the fewest points this season: 16. I’m not one for moral victories, but go ahead and pat yourself on the back for that one, Brad White. Also, look at you getting in on the fun, Centre!

We weren’t messing around in 1920! Heck we always play well in the 20’s. Gonna be an awesome decade!!! @CentreFootball @CentreAthletics pic.twitter.com/2v71rMMT62

— Joe Conley (@commonwealthcon) January 10, 2023

Kentucky looks to bounce back vs. South Carolina (7 p.m., ESPN2)

Closer to home, Kentucky hosts South Carolina tonight at 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena. The Gamecocks are 7-8 this season, 0-2 in conference play, losing at Vanderbilt by five in overtime a week ago and to Tennessee by 43 in Columbia on Saturday. They’re ranked No. 263 in the NET and No. 215 in KenPom, the latter not projecting them to win another game this season.

This is the easiest game left on Kentucky’s schedule, and the only Quad 4 contest remaining. Current issues aside, the Cats should cruise, although five-star freshman G.G. Jackson will be looking to have his Rupp Arena moment. Jackson leads the Gamecocks in scoring (15.7 PPG) and rebounding (7.1 RPG), but turned in a dud vs. Tennessee, going scoreless on 0-8 from the floor with one rebound and four turnovers. We’ll see which version of Jackson shows up in Rupp tonight, but even if Kentucky wins by 20, what does that really tell us with No. 5 Tennessee up next?

Regardless, we’ll be watching.

TV, Radio Information

After watching the Cats lose to Alabama by 26 on Saturday, Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes will once again be on the call tonight on ESPN2 beginning at 7 p.m. If you can’t watch the game, you can listen to Tom Leach and Goose Givens in a variety of ways:

• TV: ESPN2
• Local Radio: 630 WLAP, UK Sports Network
• Online: iHeart
• Satellite Radio: Sirius 81, SXM App 81

The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 4:30 p.m. live from KSBar and Grille, so come on by if you’re on your way to Rupp, or listen via 630 WLAP, 840 WHAS, or iHeart Radio. The second half of the show will air on 98.1 The Bull.

Vegas, Computers

Kentucky opened as a 17.5-point favorite yesterday afternoon. The line moved to -18 or -18.5 at most books within a few hours. South Carolina may not be good, but before you hop on your gambling app, know that Kentucky is on a nine-game losing streak against the spread. The total is set at 132.5 points.

KenPom predicts a 73-56 Kentucky win, giving the Cats a 93% chance of victory. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor goes higher, at 97.4%.

Statistical Breakdown

Daimion Collins, Chris Livingston preview South Carolina

Yesterday, Chris Livingston and Daimion Collins met with reporters to preview tonight’s game vs. the Gamecocks. Both said the focus in practice since Saturday has been improving defensively, specifically in pick-and-roll situations; getting easier shots; and getting to the foul line more often. Kentucky attempted only eight free throws vs. Alabama’s 26 on Saturday. Collins also opened up about adjusting to life without his father, who passed away in November.

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Calipari addressed the Texas rumors last night

Around lunchtime on Monday, the Calipari-to-Texas rumblings grew louder when 247 Sports’ Travis Branham reported that Texas reached out to Calipari through backchannels and there was mutual interest. For their parts, both Calipari and Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte both denied they’d spoken about the job opening, although public denials are to be expected at this point.

“I haven’t talked to anybody,” Calipari said on his radio show. “My concern is my guys, this team. I love this job. I love this group.”

CJ Fredrick, Jacob Toppin’s status remains uncertain

Kentucky sure could use another shooter on the court, and thankfully, CJ Fredrick is inching toward a return. Last night, Calipari said that Fredrick returned to practice on Monday after dislocating a finger on his right shooting hand vs. Missouri on Dec. 28. His status for tonight’s game remains uncertain, as does Jacob Toppin‘s. Toppin injured his shoulder in Saturday’s loss vs. Alabama and is “day-to-day,” per Calipari.

Liam Coen Watch continues

There’s another big storyline to keep an eye on today. Now that the Los Angeles Rams’ season is officially over and the dust is settling on “Bloody Monday” in the league, Liam Coen watch begins in earnest. Just over a month ago, Chris Mortensen reported that Coen will return to Kentucky next season. Since then, Coen and Sean McVay have said publicly that the decision hasn’t been made yet, but it’s only a matter of time before the worst-kept secret in football becomes official.

Justin Rogers will visit Alabama

Former five-star recruit Justin Rogers entered the transfer portal one week ago, signaling an end to his time at Kentucky. Since then, the defensive lineman from Detroit has visited LSU and Auburn. Yesterday, BamaInsider reported that Rogers will take an official visit to Alabama this upcoming weekend.

While losing a former five-star prospect to Alabama is a depressing thought, Kentucky did bring in another former five-star to replace him in Keeshawn Silver, who committed on Sunday. The 6’5″, 315 lbs. North Carolina native will have three years of eligibility remaining. Adam Luckett wrote all about him yesterday, a post I encourage you to check out.

The final AP Poll of the 2022 College Football season

With the national championship over and done with, the final AP Poll of the 2022 season is out. As you would expect, Georgia is No. 1, followed by TCU, Michigan, and Ohio State. Alabama and Tennessee are close behind at Nos. 5 and 6. Shoutout to Troy, who finished No. 19 in Jon Sumrall’s first season!

College Basketball on TV today

TIME	AWAY	HOME	TV
7:00 PM	South Carolina	Kentucky	ESPN2
7:00 PM	Florida	LSU	SECN
7:00 PM	Oklahoma State	11 Kansas State	ESPNU
7:00 PM	Michigan State	18 Wisconsin	ESPN
8:00 PM	Texas Tech	14 Iowa State	ESPN+
9:00 PM	Oklahoma	2 Kansas	ESPN2
9:00 PM	21 Auburn	Ole Miss	ESPNU
9:00 PM	Vanderbilt	5 Tennessee	SECN
9:00 PM	N. Carolina	13 Virginia	ESPN
11:00 PM	Nevada	23 San Diego State	CBSSN

Ryan Lemond is a treasure

Need another reason to love Ryan Lemond? Yesterday, he once again agreed to go on the radio and let us film him following his colonoscopy. The results were hilarious. Listen to Ryan break down Kentucky Basketball’s problems, promote colon health, and beg for a blueberry muffin, all while coming off sedatives.