Georgia Cruises to SEC Championship Berth Over Kentucky

With the win over Kentucky, Georgia is headed back to the SEC Championship game for the second straight year. Georgia defeated Auburn last season in the SEC Championship, but this year they will face a different animal in Alabama. Kentucky has never played in an SEC Championship game, Kentucky RB Benny Snell Jr called this game, “the biggest game in Kentucky football history.” A win on Saturday would have been their first berth, but the Bulldogs had different plans.

From the first possession by each team, the outcome became clear. After Georgia held Kentucky to a three and out, WR Mecole Hardman took the punt back for 65 yards, which led to a Jake Fromm touchdown pass to tight end Isaac Nauta. After a very low scoring first quarter, Georgia running back D’Andre Swift seemingly juked the whole Wildcat defense en route to a 20 yard touchdown run to extend their halftime lead, 14-3. The second half opened up with the star tandem of Georgia running backs, Swift and Elijah Holyfield, with rushing touchdowns. Holyfield from four yards out, and Swift for 83 yards to crack the game wide open. Trailing 28-3, Kentucky didn’t have enough in the take for a monster comeback. The Bulldogs held on, 34-17.

The player of the game was Georgia RB D’Andre Swift. Swift ran for 156 yards on 16 carries (9.8 YPC) with two touchdowns. All career highs. The sophomore needed a breakout game and got it on one of the biggest stages this season. Swift entered the season as a possible Heisman contender. But, there was some question marks why he wasn’t the main ball carrier after splitting attempts with Holyfield. D’Andre Swift showed why he is the future for this Georgia team. 

Kentucky QB Terry Wilson performed well against a great Georgia secondary, with only six incompletions on 29 attempts. The JUCO transfer totaled 226 yards in the air with a touchdown. His top target today was a bit of a surprise, backup RB Asim Rose. Rose totaled 59 reception yards on four catches with a touchdown. Star RB Benny Snell didn’t his normal great games, only rushing for 73 yards. 

Georgia ends the last three weeks of the regular season with a very manageable schedule. Expecting they both win out, Georgia versus Alabama will be a top five matchup with heavy playoff implications on the line.

Kentucky is another team that I expect to finish the season with three straight wins, and then get into a good bowl game. Assuming they win out, at 10-2, it would be the programs best season since 1977.

Next games up:

Georgia: 11/10 vs Auburn

Kentucky: 11/10 @ Tennessee

Image source: https://www.teamspeedkills.com/2018/11/3/18060218/georgia-dominates-kentucky-wins-sec-east