Georgia survives upset bid by Kentucky

Georgia came into Kentucky as the No. 1 team in the country. The Dawgs left Lexington with the number “1” branded in their minds.

That’s because the Wildcats came within a point of upsetting Georgia on Saturday before falling 13-12.

In the last 5 seasons, Georgia has been held below 20 points on the road 3 times:

– 16 points at Kentucky in 2022
– 14 points at Kentucky in 2020
– 13 points at Kentucky tonight

Georgia is 3-0 in those games. pic.twitter.com/ODPecvHetv

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 15, 2024

The SEC was supposed to be tough in 2024. It wasn’t expected that facing Kentucky, which had lost to South Carolina the previous week, was going to test these Dawgs.

Branson Robinson scored on a short touchdown run with 12:20 left in the fourth quarter to give Georgia its first lead, 13-9.

Alex Raynor kicked a 51-yard field goal with 8:01 left to bring Kentucky within a point.

“Our defense played lights out tonight,” Kirby Smart said. “We’re resilient. Two years ago we go to Missouri and almost lost that game. Last year we went to Auburn and almost lost that game.

“We’ve got to get better. Kentucky came after us and was really aggressive.”

Georgia’s defense stiffened and the Wildcats were unable to finish an upset. Kentucky came into the game as a 21.5-point underdogs.

If it weren’t for Georgia having a bye next week, one could say the Dawgs got caught looking ahead. Their next game on Sept. 28 is an SEC heavyweight bout at fourth-ranked Alabama.

One huge concern for Kirby Smart has to be the rush defense. Georgia allowed Kentucky 170 rushing yards. If you factor in sack yardage that comes off rushing totals in college, the Wildcats had around 200 yards on the ground.

Kentucky also had a pick-six taken off the scoreboard when a play was ruled an incomplete pass on a review rather than an interception and touchdown that would have made it 10-0.