KSR Today: Ready or not, here comes Georgia
The vibes going into the weekend last Friday morning were much different than they were today, optimism once high with dreams of smacking South Carolina around a bit before College GameDay comes to town a week later for a ranked SEC matchup between Kentucky and Georgia. The Wildcats were riding that high from the 31-0 win over Southern Miss, fighting off lightning delays and shortened game windows to put forth the convincing shutout.
Then it all disappeared, creating quite the predicament with the top-ranked Bulldogs coming to town on Saturday. They’re the most dominant team in college football while the Wildcats have no offensive identity against real competition after failing to find the end zone against the Gamecocks.
That’s why they’re 22-point underdogs at Kroger Field as of this morning, despite entering the previous SEC home matchup as a two-score favorite.
How can Kentucky move past South Carolina and make a statement against No. 1 Georgia? That’s been the story of the week for Mark Stoops, his staff and the players who will have to execute at the highest level to do so on Saturday.
Mark Stoops previews Georgia
The UK head coach talked about where things stand going into the weekend on Thursday, his final media obligation ahead of kickoff. He saw what the rest of us did last Saturday and has been committed to righting the ship in the days since.
Among the key issues? Self-inflicted errors.
“There was so much for us to improve on this week. For us, there was a lot to do, obviously, and a lot to address. We had to make improvements, bottom line,” Stoops said. “Make improvements in all areas, in particular self-induced penalties and turnovers. Much to do, and I feel like we did that. Our players, we have their full attention this week. Hopefully that carries over. Obviously, we play a great team in Georgia and we’re excited about that opportunity. I feel like we made some steps.”
He also talked about the team’s game plan, a reunion for Brock Vandagriff and Jamon Dumas-Johnson, the latest on Kentucky’s injury report and much, much more.
Take a look:
A new injury report lists nine Cats out
Speaking of injuries, Kentucky football released yet another SEC-mandated availability report late Thursday evening ahead of the Georgia matchup, and it doesn’t look good for the Wildcats.
Nine different players have been declared out, including starters Chip Trayanum at running back, Jager Burton and Courtland Ford on the offensive line, plus a key backup in Jason Patterson, leaving Kentucky with just two scholarship backs against the No. 1 team in the country.
Oh, and Brock Vandagriff was added to the injury report, as well.
With 14 Wildcats listed and over half declared out, Kentucky is undoubtedly in a tough spot.
Chip Trayanum (RB) – Out
Hardley Gilmore IV (WR) – Out
Jason Patterson (RB) – Out
Devin Smith (LB) – Out
Darrion Henry-Young (DL) – Out
Jager Burton (OL) – Out
Courtland Ford (OL) – Out
Tavion Gadson (DL) – Out
Josaih Hayes (DL) – Out
Brandon White (WR) – Questionable
Maxwell Hairston (DB) – Probable
Keeshawn Silver (DL) – Probable
Brock Vandagriff (QB) – Probable
Gerald Mincey (OL) – Probable
Georgia includes 5 players on availability report
Things aren’t totally perfect for Kirby Smart‘s group, either, as two starters on the defensive line have been listed as doubtful while two other Bulldogs have been declared out.
Roderick Robinson II (RB) – Out
Jordan Hall (DL) – Out
Mykel Williams (DL) – Doubtful
Warren Brinson (DL) – Doubtful
Xzavier McLeod (DL) – Questionable
Five certainly looks a lot better than 14 on paper.
Kirk Herbstreit confirms GameDay should’ve been in Lexington
Frustrated about how things turned out last weekend at Kroger Field? So is Herbie, who confirmed College GameDay was supposed to be in Lexington this weekend before things went south against the Gamecocks.
In fact, it was a “lock” for Kentucky to host for the first time in 17 years. Instead, they’re in Columbia for USC vs. LSU.
“Because Kentucky spit the bit last week,” Herbstreit told a fan asking why they weren’t in Lexington this weekend. “(College GameDay) was a lock for UK if Cats won last week and we would have called the game as well. But South Carolina dominating that game we always adjust to the results from the previous week.”
Kentucky vs. No. 1 Georgia: How to Watch
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC (Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath)
Watch college football games live – try Fubo for free! Click HERE NOW.
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: 82
Live Stats: UKAthletics.com
You can also keep up with the game and chat with other fans on our game thread on KSBoard, with Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, and Drew Franklin providing updates from Kroger Field and the rest of us from home.
KSR breaks down UK vs. UGA matchup
Looking for more content? You’ve come to the right place.
The KSR football guys have been pumping out previews all week long, digging into the nuts and bolts of the matchup, the current state of Mark Stoops’ program and where things stand nationally across all of college football. A little bit of everything to get you ready for kickoff on Saturday.
KSR’s Pigskin Preview: Week 3 Picks
11 Personnel: Kentucky has an offensive crisis
KSR Football Podcast: An All-Systems Failure vs. South Carolina
It’s put up or shut up time for the Cats, folks. Let’s see what they’ve got in the tank with the big boys in town.
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