Sep 133 min read

An SEC Primetime Duel: Georgia Heads to Kentucky

Georgia Football — ©Joshua L. Jones /USA TODAY NETWORK

The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (2-0) and head coach Kirby Smart are looking for another victory, but this time against a conference opponent in the Kentucky Wildcats (1-1). The Bulldogs handled the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (0-2) in Week 2 48-3, and they look to continue the dominance in Week 3. The Bulldogs and Wildcats will meet on Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. EST at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky.

What's at Stake?

The Bulldogs look to continue their streak of not allowing any points in the first half this season when they play the Wildcats this weekend.

The Wildcats look to get their first win against the Bulldogs in 15 tries, as the Bulldogs have won the past 14 previous matchups.

Key Players: Georgia

Quarterback Carson Beck and running back Trevor Etienne highlight the Bulldogs' offense.

Beck is a fifth-year senior and continues to be a rockstar for the Bulldogs. He owns a 15-1 record as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback and was named Southeastern Converence Offensive Player of the Week after defeating the No. 22 Clemson Tigers in Week 1.

Etienne is a junior this year and actually transferred to the Bulldogs after previously playing for the Florida Gators. He had the Bulldogs' longest run of the season against the Golden Eagles with a 45-yard rush and continues to be impressive in the Bulldogs' backfield.

Safety Malaki Starks and defensive lineman Mykel Williams highlight the Bulldogs' defense.

Starks is an All-American safety who hails from Jefferson, Ga., and he already has 6-career interceptions as a Bulldog. Starks is already a superstar and one the Bulldogs will need to lean on as the season goes forward.

Williams has not had much of an impact yet as a Bulldog, but he is projected to go high in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. If he hopes to get selected high, he will need to up his game and help out the Bulldogs' defensive line.

Key Players: Kentucky

Wide Receiver Dane Key and running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye highlight the Wildcats' offense.

Key has had a decent few games for the Wildcats offense as he's put up 5 receptions for 96 yards in two games this season. He hopes to continue to be a favorite target and get better numbers as the season goes on.

Sumo-Karngbaye has been getting the bulk of the carries for the Wildcats offense as he has 25 rushes for 129 yards and 1 touchdown in two games this season. He will continue to be leaned on as the season goes on and into tough SEC play.

Defensive Back Zion Childress and linebacker D'Eryk Jackson highlight the Wildcats' defense.

Childress had a really good Week 2 game against the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0), as he put up 3 tackles with one of them being for a sack. and he tied for the lead in total tackles in the game. If the Wildcats' defense is to show some promise this year, Childress will be one to lean on.

Jackson also had a really nice game against the Gamecocks. He put up 3 total tackles and assisted on 3 more tackles. Jackson also looks to be a center piece for the Wildcats' defense moving forward.

Trends to Watch

Smart and the Bulldogs look to continue their record streak of 27 straight SEC wins and move that number to 28. The Wildcats look to get off to a better start as the Bulldogs defeated them 51-13 in their matchup last season.