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Georgia won its 28th consecutive conference game on Saturday, outlasting the Kentucky Wildcats on the road 13-12.
It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t comfortable. And it had many throughout the country questioning whether Georgia should be sitting at No. 1 still when the new AP Top 25 poll is released on Sunday.
Georgia was outgained by the Wildcats 284-262. The Bulldogs averaged only 4.9 yards per play, committed 9 penalties, and went 5-for-13 on third downs. Quarterback Carson Beck was limited to 160 yards through the air. The ground game averaged only 3.4 yards per carry.
It was a disjointed performance, one that was particularly surprising given what had just happened to Kentucky the week prior. At home against a South Carolina team that struggled in Week 1, Kentucky was blasted. In a 31-6 loss to the Gamecocks, the Wildcats gained only 183 yards of offense and were completely ineffective in the throw game.
Former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff did enough without turning the football over, completing 14 passes for 114 yards. The Kentucky ground game produced 212 yards at 5 a carry (adjusted for sacks).
Given what others around Georgia did, some were openly questioning if No. 2 Texas should supplant the Dawgs in the AP poll. Despite having to move to its backup quarterback in the second quarter on Saturday, Texas routed UTSA 56-7 to move to 3-0. The Longhorns notably demolished Michigan in Ann Arbor a week ago.
Alabama and Tennessee also looked impressive on the road in Week 3.
But Georgia has held the No. 1 spot in every regular-season AP poll released since Oct. 9, 2022.
“You don’t judge SEC teams on 1 week,” Smart said after the game.
We’ll see if a 1-point win on the road in an SEC game will cost the Dawgs the top spot.
Checking in on what’s happening in Lexington — would not be surprised to see Texas enter Week Four as the No. 1 team in the country
— Burnt Orange Nation (@BON_SBNation) September 15, 2024
https://twitter.com/dawgs_forever/status/1835142871848030651
The whole “you don’t have to win every game” crap is getting to the Dawgs head tonight. Terrible showing on offense. No excuse
— UGAdawg (@ugadawg001) September 15, 2024
Kirby Smart every year when it’s time for the Kentucky game pic.twitter.com/f7UMqVnIHv
— Matt (@MattBerry05) September 15, 2024
Kirby Smart's plan to get Texas ranked #1 before Georgia goes to Austin is working out perfectly.
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) September 15, 2024
Texas might be #1 tomorrow… CFB fans have been dreading this day for over a decade
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) September 15, 2024
Texas to #1…sorry Georgia
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) September 15, 2024
Kentucky is showing the world why Ohio State should be the Number 1 team in the country.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) September 15, 2024
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
