Georgia survives Kentucky: Concerns arise as No. 1 Bulldogs struggle past Wildcats in SEC opener

The stage is set for a seismic Week 5 SEC clash between Georgia and Alabama teams that will be entering the showdown on significantly different notes. The No. 4 Crimson Tide throttled Wisconsin 42-10 on the road Saturday, while the No. 1 Bulldogs were fortunate to survive in a 13-12 victory at Kentucky.

Georgia was a 21.5-point favorite but turned in an offensively listless performance that raised plenty of concerns to be addressed during a Week 4 bye before it goes to play the Crimson Tide, who will also be coming off a bye. Georgia totaled just three first downs and 63 total yards in the first half as UK forced four straight punts.

The game’s only touchdown came with 12:20 remaining when Georgia’s Branson Robinson plunged in from 3 yards out to put the Bulldogs ahead 13-9. It capped a 10-play, 68-yard drive that seemed to flip the momentum back in Georgia’s favor.

But even then the Wildcats refused to back down, drawing within a point on Alex Raynor’s fourth field goal of the night with 8:01 remaining. Ultimately, the Dawgs took advantage of a cautious decision from UK coach Mark Stoops with the game hanging in the balance.

Faced with a fourth-and-8 at Georgia’s 47-yard line with 2:58 remaining, Stoops opted to play it safe and punt. His team had all its timeouts and had been great defensively. However, the choice backfired as Georgia picked up a pair of first downs that allowed it to nearly run out the clock. Kentucky got the football back deep in its own territory with under 9 seconds remaining. But after burning all their timeouts, the Wildcats were unable to get in position for a potential game-winning field goal.

What’s wrong with Georgia?

Georgia looked significantly better offensively in the second half as it amassed 199 yards with the help of two long scoring drives. Still, nothing came easy for the Bulldogs, who never found the dominant gear that they located in the second half of a Week 1 win over Clemson. Kentucky was particularly stingy against the run, limiting the Bulldogs’ three running backs to 86 yards on 24 carries.

If not for the second-half performance of quarterback Carson Beck, this could have gone down as a stunner. After a 5 of 12 start, Beck completed 10 of his final 12 passes including a critical 33-yard completion to Dominic Lovett that allowed Georgia to run clock and flip the field on its final offensive series. Complicating matters for Georgia’s rushing attack was an injury to right guard Tate Ratledge, a first-team all-SEC player who had to be carted off the field in the first half.

Controversial call

The Bulldogs were fortunate to have a 55-yard pick six overturned in the second quarter. If the call stood, it would have put Kentucky ahead 10-0 in the second quarter. Dominic Lovett dove to catch a low pass and had his hands around the ball before it shot up in the air, but the replay crew deemed it hit the ground and was incomplete. It was a big break for UGA and a call that will have Kentucky fans fuming.

Poll punishment? 

Sluggish early season SEC games are becoming a tradition for Georgia. The Bulldogs narrowly edged Auburn and South Carolina last September and were pushed to the brink at Missouri in their second conference game of the 2022 season.

The Bulldogs dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 following the close win over Missouri in 2022 and could be at risk for a similar drop on Sunday. No. 2 Texas crushed UTSA 56-7 and No. 3 Ohio State was off in Week 3. Both teams received some first-place votes in last week’s AP poll and could be in line for more in Week 4 if voters were concerned with Georgia’s appearance.