Scouting Report: Georgia Bulldogs

Kentucky football is reeling after a stunning home loss to Vanderbilt last week as a three-possession favorite. However, the season is not over yet. One week after one of the worst losses of the Mark Stoops era, the Cats will now have to go head-to-head with the best in the sport.

Kirby Smart is bringing his seventh Georgia team into Lexington on this cold November weekend with an undefeated record and a legit shot at winning consecutive national championships. Stoops and his program have their work cut out of them this week.

It’s time to dive into the 2022 Georgia team that has looked like a dominant force for most of the season.

Nuts and Bolts

Following the 2006 season, the University of Alabama was able to convince Nick Saban to leave the NFL and return to college football. The former Michigan State and LSU head coach was making his way back to the SEC with all eyes set on a national championship.

After nearly getting there in year two, Alabama was able to blow by Florida in 2009 to claim the program’s first national championship in 17 years. Since then, the Crimson Tide has claimed five more national titles, and Kirby Smart played a key role as the defensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa for four of those championships. Georgia hired their famous alum to lead the Bulldogs to the promised land.

It took Smart more time than Saban, but after a few close calls UGA finally broke through for a national championship in year six. Now there appears to be a new dynasty in the SEC as the Bulldogs are looking to become the first team to repeat in the College Football Playoff era.

Smart has built a great roster, dynamic coaching staff, has full buy-in from the administration, and it has all led to a 68-10 run with five SEC East titles, two College Football Playoff appearances, and a national championship since 2017. The Georgia train is showing no signs of slowing downs.

Saturday will be the 76th meeting between these two SEC programs. Georgia currently owns a commanding 61-12-2 series lead and has won 12 consecutive games in the series. This is UGA’s longest winning streak in this series, and Kentucky has not beaten the Bulldogs in Lexington since 2006.

Out in the desert, Georgia is a 22.5-point favorite with a total of 49. That is a projected final score of 36.5-12.5. Kentucky is 6-4 against the spread (ATS) this season, and Georgia is 8-2 ATS. The under is 9-1 in Kentucky games and 7-3 in Georgia games. UK is 12-3-1 ATS in its last 16 games as an underdog with eight outright wins.

Georgia offense

After a tough year for Georgia in 2019 when the offense slipped to No. 46 in yards per play, Kirby Smart decided to make a change. Former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator and Southern Miss head coach Todd Monken joined the coaching staff in Athens after four seasons in the NFL.

Monken has quickly turned things around and delivered consecutive top-five offenses with a former walk-on at quarterback. The Bulldogs are an efficiency machine that can beat defenses in a lot of different ways.

• Scoring: 40.6 (T-6 overall)
• Success Rate (from CFB Graphs): 51.3% (No. 2 overall)
• Yards Per Play: 7.1 (No. 7 overall)
• Yards Per Rush: 5.4 (T-15 overall)
• Yards Per Attempt: 8.8 (T-13 overall)
• 3rd/4th Down Conversions: 57.3% (No. 3 overall)
• Red Zone TD Rate: 69.6% (No. 26 overall)
• Points Per Drive: 3.28 (No. 8 overall)

Monken has put together another top-five offense this season, and his super senior quarterback is playing at a high level.

Stetson Bennett (5-11, 190, Super) is one of the oldest players in college football and the Blackshear (Ga.) Pierce County prospect is playing like a top-10 quarterback this season. The veteran is posting 8.8 yards per attempt on 32.9 throws per game with a very high passing success rate (56%). Creating huge explosive plays has been an issue as Bennett ranks 11th in the SEC in 40-plus yard completions (4). However, he avoids negative plays at a high clip and provides value as a runner in the red zone with seven rushing touchdowns.

In the passing game, tight end Brock Bowers (6-4, 230, So.) is the top target with 39 receptions on 60 targets. The Napa (Calif.) High native is averaging 15.8 yards per reception with a 53.3 percent success rate and seven total touchdowns. No. 19 is someone Kentucky must have a plan for as Monken will use the versatile Bowers in multiple ways.

THIS CATCH FROM BROCK BOWERS 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Bf6FAvlz2e

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 17, 2022

Bowers is not the only pro that Georgia has at tight end. Darnell Washington (6-7, 270, Jr.) brings outstanding size to the field and has underrated athleticism. The former five-star recruit is a good blocker at the point of attack and is one of Bennett’s top weapons with 24 receptions for 392 yards.

However, wide receivers still matter. Georgia has played a lot of players and dealt with some injuries on the outside. Ladd McConkey (6-0, 185, RSo.) is one only former low three-star recruit receiving playing time on offense, and the six-foot receiver has emerged as a real playmaker. McConkey has 43 receptions for 578 yards and has scored six total touchdowns. The Chatsworth (Ga.) North Murray product is a more than capable playmaker on the outside.

KENNY MCINTOSH ONE-HANDED 😳 pic.twitter.com/CL1mhCt0iT

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 6, 2021

Georgia’s pass play percentage has increased this year as Monken leans on Bennett to be a playmaker for this offense. However, the Bulldogs still have a strong running back rotation that has had a lot of success. UGA is rolling up 192.5 rush yards per game on a strong 49.6 percent success rate. Daijun Edwards (5-10, 201, Jr.), Kenny McIntosh (6-1, 210, Sr.), Kendall Milton (6-1, 220, Jr.), and Branson Robinson (5-10, 220, Fr.) have combined to rush for 1,497 yards with 19 touchdowns on 5.2 yards per rush this season. The tailbacks are averaging 28.9 rushing attempts per game and are a huge part of this offense. McIntosh leads the group in snaps (303) and might be the most dangerous as the South Florida product plays a big role in the passing game (31 receptions for 322 yards).

Bennett doesn’t take many sacks (2.1% sack rate), and each running back is having a lot of success. That means the offensive line is doing its job. Georgia has a group upfront that is among the best in college football.

The tackle duo of Broderick Jones (6-3, 310, RSo.) and Warren McClendon (6-4, 300, RJr.) is outstanding. Sedrick Van Pran (6-4, 310, RSo.) is one of the top centers in college football. Four former top-100 recruits are in the rotation on the offensive line, and that shows up on the field. Georgia has consistently been able to bully defensive fronts at the point of attack with a group that has multiple pros on it.

Georgia does not have elite playmaking on the outside, but that has not stopped this offense from playing at a high level. Monken again has one of the top offenses in college football being driven by a veteran quarterback, strong offensive line, and mismatch nightmares at tight end.

Georgia defense

Dan Lanning cashed in on the historic defense he helped build in Athens by landing the head coaching gig at Oregon in the offseason. Kirby Smart decided to promote from within naming Glenn Schumann and Will Muschamp co-coordinators for the Dawgs this season.

Even after losing five first-round picks off last year’s defense, Georgia has again put together a top-five defense under Smart.

• Scoring: 11.6 (No. 2 overall)
• Success Rate: 32.4% (No. 8 overall)
• Yards Per Play: 4.5 (No. 7 overall)
• Yards Per Rush: 3.1 (T-7 overall)
• Yards Per Attempt: 5.6 (No. 4 overall)
• 3rd/4th Down Conversions: 29.7% (No. 4 overall)
• Red Zone TD Rate: 28.6% (No. 1 overall)
• Points Per Drive: 1.17 (No. 4 overall)

Once again, Georgia has the best defense in the SEC and the best defense in college football. Despite replacing a ton of star power, there are still some bonafide playmakers remaining in Athens.

An argument could be made that defensive tackle Jalen Carter (6-3, 300, Jr.) was the best player on last year’s defense, but he’s been slowed by a knee injury this season. However, the former five-star recruit is fully healthy now and was dominant in wins against Tennessee and Mississippi State over the last two weeks. Blocking No. 88 will be a very difficult challenge.

However, after Carter, the defensive line could be the biggest weak spot of this defense. UGA has had to get young and that has led to a role for five-star prospect Mykel Williams (6-5, 265, Fr.). The Columbus (Ga.) Hardaway product has two sacks this year and a very bright future.

The next best player on this defense was Nolan Smith, but the outside linebacker has been ruled out for the season. That has put some pressure on the off-ball linebackers to provide some more playmaking and they are delivering.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson (6-1, 245, So.) has taken over a starting spot and is playing at an All-SEC level. The DMV product leads the team in solo tackles (36) while recording 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and seven QB hurries. Georgia has found another potential star to anchor the middle of this defense.

With Smith’s absence, the Bulldogs have gone to a more nickel approach for its base defense. Javon Bullard (5-11, 180, So.) has been one of the biggest surprises on the team as the former three-star recruit has been excellent playing UGA’s Star position. Bullard has 4.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups as he’s given playmaking and good coverage when lined up with slot receivers.

In the secondary, Georgia recently lost starter Dan Jackson, but this group hasn’t missed a beat. Christopher Smith (5-11, 195, Super) is one of the best safeties in the SEC with some great ball skills (5 interceptions over the last two seasons). Playing next to him is rookie Malaki Starks (6-1, 205, Fr.) who might be the best true freshman in college football. The top-10 prospect leads the defense in tackles (48) and passes defended (8).

This INT by Malaki Starks 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/xwO02oM61K

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 3, 2022

At cornerback, Kelee Ringo (6-2, 210, RSo.) is a potential first-round prospect, and Kamari Lassiter (6-0, 180, So.) has emerged as a quality starter in year two. UGA is loaded in the secondary.

Georgia ranks No. 89 in tackles for loss per game (5.2) and No. 102 in takeaways (11) as creating overall havoc has been somewhat of an issue for this defense, but that has not mattered to this point. The Bulldogs are sticky in coverage and very strong against the run. The unit has a dominant player at defensive tackle and plenty of playmakers playing behind him.

The Bulldogs play excellent team defense and consistently get opponents behind the chains.

Georgia special teams

If a game came down to the third phase late in the year, Georgia should feel good about its chances. The Bulldogs have a very strong kicking game.

Jack Podlesny is 17 of 19 on field goal attempts this season with both misses coming from 40-plus yards out. The veteran is very dependable with a 66.2 percent touchback rate on kickoffs.

At punter, Brett Thorson has taken over and is averaging 43.9 yards per attempt with 12 of 25 attempts landing inside the 20. However, opponents have found some success in the punt return department recording 110 yards on five returns when opportunities arrive.

Kick returns have been pedestrian, but Ladd McConkey has shown some flashes as a punt returner. Georgia ranks No. 20 nationally in net field position largely due to its kicking game. The only real weakness is punt return defense.

Keys to Victory

— No matter how you draw it up, Kentucky is likely going to need to steal a possession or two to have a chance on Saturday. Whether it’s an onside kick, fake punt, or multiple takeaways, the Cats must find a way to create some extra possessions to give themselves a chance.

— On offense, it is going to be extremely difficult to find efficiency against this Georgia front. Expect Chris Rodriguez Jr. to get plenty of touches, but there won’t be a lot of room to operate. For Kentucky to have success, Will Levis must have a big day throwing from the pocket. That means creating explosive plays and giving No. 7 time to throw. If the passing game has another woeful performance this contest will get ugly quickly.

— Georgia is going to get first downs and create scoring opportunities. What Kentucky must eliminate is explosive play touchdowns. The Wildcats must keep things in front and make Georgia get into the red zone to score touchdowns. If the defense does that, this game will have a chance to stay close for longer than expected.

— We all know how bad the kicking game has been. However, Georgia appears to have a weakness in punt return defense. Now would be a good time to see a big return from either Barion Brown or Tayvion Robinson.

— Folks are not happy with the state of the Kentucky offense both inside and outside of the building. The confidence for this group seems shot, and now they’re taking on the best defense in college football. This feels like very bad timing. The start will be critical for Rich Scangarello. The offense will need something good to happen early to gain confidence or things might tailspin quickly.

— Vanderbilt played harder than Kentucky last week. There is no denying that. The weather conditions will be similar against Georgia this week. Will the Cats play with more fire? They certainly need to as effort level has been an issue for this team at times this season. In many ways, Saturday is about Kentucky just putting a better product on the field and not about the opponent. That starts with playing harder.