The Georgia Bulldogs enter this matchup riding high after a commanding 48-3 victory over Tennessee Tech, displaying dominance on both offense and defense. In contrast, Kentucky stumbled in Week 2, suffering a 31-6 defeat against South Carolina in a one-sided affair.
Some might argue that Kentucky fell into a trap game, looking ahead to this matchup. Now, with the Bulldogs on deck, they’ll need to regroup quickly.
One aims to keep its momentum rolling, while the other looks to rebound and get back on track after a challenging loss in our Georgia vs. Kentucky Prediction.
Georgia vs. Kentucky Betting Preview
All Georgia vs. Kentucky odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Sept. 14.
- Spread
Georgia -22.5 - Moneyline
Georgia -2800, Kentucky +1300 - Over/Under
45 - Game time
7:30 p.m. ET - Location
Kroger Field | Lexington, Ky. - Predicted Weather at Kick
76 degrees, Partly Cloudy - How to Watch
ABC
The No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs opened as -18 favorites on Sept. 4, and that number has skyrocketed since Kentucky’s disappointing Week 2 home loss to South Carolina. Following the loss, the number jumped to -22 and continued to be bet up to -24.5 before settling back down at 22.5.
The total has come down, but not entirely by a full possession. It opened at 47.5 on Sept. 7, and currently sits at 45.
The moneylines have seen as much movement as the spread has, and for the same reason.
Before its loss to South Carolina, Kentucky was +1100 against Georgia. That number has ballooned up to +1300. Georgia opened -2500 and now sits at -2800favorites on the moneyline.
Prediction for Georgia vs. Kentucky
Carson Beck showcased his talent on Saturday, completing 18 of 25 passes for 242 yards and five touchdowns in Georgia’s dominant 48-3 victory over Tennessee Tech.
Beck’s performance, including a 72% completion rate, demonstrated his growing command of the Bulldogs’ offense. His five touchdown passes marked a new career high, signaling that he could be a major factor in this week’s matchup.
Meanwhile, Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff has been eagerly anticipating this game since transferring from Georgia. However, he’s coming off a tough outing, completing just three passes for 30 yards and suffering five sacks.
Facing Georgia’s formidable defense will be another significant challenge for Vandagriff.
Georgia’s wide receiver Arian Smith has emerged as Beck’s go-to target and leads the team in receptions, yards per game, and receiving touchdowns. As the Bulldogs enter their first SEC action of 2024, Smith could be in line for a standout performance.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The only reason to consider taking Kentucky on Saturday is the possibility that they were caught looking ahead to this game, resulting in their poor performance. However, it’s difficult to overlook just how poorly their offensive line played. Kentucky managed only 183 yards of total offense, with a mere 44 yards coming through the air.
South Carolina’s defensive front dominated the Wildcats, and it’s hard to see things improving against Georgia.
That said, 24.5 points is a significant spread in an SEC game. The challenge with backing Georgia here is that the line has moved considerably from its opening at -18, crossing several key numbers.
Kentucky’s best chance to stay competitive is if their defense can force turnovers and create short fields. Given the total is only 45.5 points, taking a 24.5-point favorite seems risky, making the under an intriguing option.
While the Wildcats aren’t likely to upset the Bulldogs, expect Mark Stoops to have his team ready to compete at home and keep the game within the spread.
The Prediction: Georgia 31, Kentucky 10
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top players, the college football season schedule, and much more!