It’s been a full year since Kentucky fans last witnessed their team celebrate a victory over an SEC opponent. The Wildcats enter this week determined to end that drought, but Georgia, riding its own momentum, intends to stretch Kentucky’s SEC losing streak from seven games to eight.
Wildcat supporters know the statistics all too well. Kentucky has managed just two wins in its last 15 SEC contests, and Bush Hamdan’s offense has consistently struggled to break through, never scoring more than two touchdowns against a conference rival. The offensive stagnation has been a key factor in the team’s ongoing struggles.
Adding to the narrative, this week also marks the 10-year anniversary of Kentucky’s last comeback win from a 14-point deficit highlighting another long-standing hurdle for the program. While Kentucky works to rewrite these unfortunate trends, Georgia faces some streaks of its own, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup defined by numbers and history.
Kirby Smart fell to 1-7 in his coaching career against Alabama after Georgia’s loss last Saturday at Sanford Stadium. That defeat also marked the Bulldogs’ first home loss under the lights since Randall Cobb and company upset them back in 2009.
For Kentucky to recreate that memorable night from over a decade ago, the Wildcats must overcome daunting odds. Smart’s teams are notoriously resilient, responding with a 16-3 record following losses. His ability to rally Georgia after setbacks has become a hallmark of his tenure.
Adding to the challenge, Smart hasn’t dropped consecutive regular-season games since his debut season in 2016. That streak underscores the uphill battle Kentucky faces as they aim to shock Georgia once again in Athens.
This Georgia squad isn’t quite the same as Kirby Smart’s past teams. Their wide receivers are dynamic playmakers capable of testing Kentucky’s secondary. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has yet to throw an interception this season, while Cutter Boley endured three turnovers in a single quarter during his SEC debut.
To counter that, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan plans to take a more deliberate approach, aiming to shield his young quarterback from costly mistakes. The strategy focuses on ball control and efficiency, hoping to limit turnovers and keep the game manageable.
The big question is whether Kentucky’s offense can generate enough points to stay competitive against Georgia’s explosive attack. Fans will find out soon enough when the ball is kicked off at noon on ABC.
How To Watch/Listen to Kentucky vs. Georgia
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m.
TV: ABC (Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, Katie George)
Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro, Dick Gabriel)
AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
FM: 98.1 WBUL
Online: iHeart Radio
Sirius XM: 374 (UK)
Kentucky enters the matchup as a 20.5-point underdog to Georgia on BetMGM, with the total set at 48.5. While the Wildcats seem overmatched on paper, history suggests that meetings between Mark Stoops and Kirby Smart often end up closer than expected.
Georgia has been dominant straight up, winning 16 consecutive games outright. However, the Bulldogs have struggled against the spread in that span, going 0-15-1 as a 20-point favorite. Kentucky, meanwhile, has fared well in covering large spreads in this rivalry.
The Wildcats are on a 6-1 ATS run against Georgia, including covers as 20-plus point underdogs in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. Kentucky has also gone 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games as a road underdog of 15 points or more, covering against three playoff teams last season.
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