It’s hard to be optimistic about the rest of the Kentucky Wildcats’ football season after the debacle vs. South Carolina.
However, we are just now entering Week 3, meaning there is plenty of football to be played. Unfortunately, the next game on the schedule is against the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, which is not exactly the ideal opponent to bounce back with.
The Bulldogs are arguably the best program in the country at the moment, having won two of the last three national championships. They have lost just two games in that span, both to Alabama.
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Pulling off the upset would be a tall task for the Wildcats, but playing well is not out of the question. Just a little over 10 points have decided the last four contests between these two SEC foes at Kroger Field.
In comparison, Kentucky has lost by an average of about four touchdowns in Athens.
What must the Wildcats do to keep the game close and instill some confidence into the season? Are they capable of beating the Dawgs, which would be Kentucky’s first victory in the series since 2009 and its first home win since 2006?
Let’s take a look at what needs to happen for the Cats to make this a game and keep hope alive for a shocking upset!
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Offensive Line Steps Up
If you watched last week’s contest, the most glaring weakness was the offensive line. While the Gamecocks have some impressive pass rushers, including true freshman Dylan Stewart, there were multiple times they could not protect Brock Vandagriff with a 5-3 advantage. Preseason All-SEC selection Marques Cox earned a 5.1 grade (out of 100) on pass blocking by Pro Football Focus, and he’s arguably Kentucky’s best offensive lineman.
One of college football’s most experienced offensive lines should and must be better throughout the rest of the season. Saturday is an opportunity to respond against one of the best defense fronts in the country in Georgia, which could be without potential No. 1 NFL Draft pick Mykel Williams.
How are they preparing to do that? Focusing on the fundamentals.
“When you look at when we had breakdowns, I think it starts with some very simple things,” offensive line coach Eric Wolford said Tuesday. “There’s a point to when you get on blocks, you gotta stick on blocks, finish, and play with tremendous strain.”
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Revive the Passing Game
Kentucky’s offense last weekend left much to be desired to say the least, completing just six forward passes for a grand total of thirty passing yards. Many compared the production to a team of the 1920s, including SEC shorts.
A large part of the issues in the passing game stemmed from the offensive line’s aforementioned poor play. However, Vandagriff’s lack of composure and Bush Hamdan’s play-calling did not help things.
The Wildcats did have some success running the ball, rushing for 180 non-sack yards. This week, they will likely play to that strength. However, threats like Barion Brown and Dane Key, who are able to make some explosive plays, need the ball in their hands to do so.
Give Fans Hope
As mentioned before, the Kentucky-Georgia games played at Kroger Field have been competitive, including 2022, when, following a home loss to Vanderbilt, the Wildcats held Georgia to just one touchdown and 16 total points.
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If Kentucky can keep the game within two scores and show better execution, some optimism can be salvaged for a seven or eight-win season (including a potential bowl victory).
Get blown out, and the fanbase might really begin to check out on the season before we even make it out of September.
Game Time: 7:30PM ET on September 14th Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky TV Channel: ABC Announcers: Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, and Molly McGrath Online Stream:WatchESPN and the ESPN app. Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the radio call on the UK Sports Network. Satellite Radio: XM Channel 203, Sirius Channel 98, Internet Channel 966 Replay:WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings). Rosters:UK | UGA Stats To Know: UK | UGA Advanced Stats Weather.com forecast
Predictions: TeamRankings has Kentucky covering the spread but losing 34-11, while OddsShark has them losing 42—20. DRatings.com picks Georgia to win 35-15. I do believe Kentucky will respond after dropping the ball last week, but they will be no match for Georgia. I am taking Georgia to win 42-16.
How do you see this one playing out? Send us your score predictions in the comments section!
Walker stands at 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds, making the former Wildcat one of the biggest defensive lineman not only in the draft, but in the history of the NFL.
Since earning a starting spot as a true freshman, to now exploding with excitement when he heard his name called, Walker’s unique blend of mobility and enthusiasm will cement him as one of the most beloved Kentucky players in program history.
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Earning All-SEC honors and letting his disruptive play become the Wildcats’ identity, Walker will now cause terror for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to go alongside his former teammate Maxwell Hairston, who was selected by the Bills in the first round.
LETS GET ITTTTTTTT😝😝😝— MadMax ¹ᵏ (@MHairston22) April 26, 2025
Ray Davis also welcomed BBN to Bills Mafia moments after the selection.
UK fans welcome to the mafia 🫡🫡— Re'Mahn Davis (@Ray_Davis07) April 26, 2025
The main worry about Walker not only has been his back injury that he played with all of last season, but what technique he’ll be able to play due to his stature that’s unlike any other.
However, even the NFL admitted that Walker could dominate the league.
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Kentucky DT Deone Walker could be a difference maker in the trenches 💪@deonewalker0 | @UKFootball
Before the draft, Walker visited with the Buffalo Bills, who emphasized interior pressure heavily last season, which is right up his alley. He’s been evaluated as one that can be a high-level backup or a potential starter as the season goes on.
The Bills are taking a swing with Walker, but many who watched him every Saturday at Kroger Field will tell you that this is a home-run pick.
Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has officially started the next chapter of his career, selected No. 30 by the Buffalo Bills in the late first round.
At 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds, Hairston has come a long way since signing with the Wildcats as a 3-star prospect out of Michigan in 2021.
Although he missed five games this past season due to injury, Hairston was still selected to Second-Team All-SEC with 19 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and four deflections.
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“Mad Max” took a huge jump in the draft boards after running the fastest 40-yard dash among cornerbacks in Indianapolis, completing the drill in just 4.28 seconds.
At 21 years old, Hairston brings a level of experience from the toughest conference in college football, the SEC, to go along with elite speed and length to make him a potential starter for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.
As one of the few invited to the NFL Draft, Big Blue Nation had a good look at Hairston with his family before his name was called.
Time will tell how Hairston’s role will pan out in the league, but rest assured, “Mad Max” will go down as one of the best defensive players in the Mark Stoops era.
The Wildcats bolstered their backfield with the addition of former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan on April 20, per KSR’s Nick Roush.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McGowan brings size and downhill power to Kentucky’s offense. Coming off a productive season at New Mexico State, he rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores through the air.
A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, McGowan originally signed with Oklahoma and logged 370 rushing yards, three touchdowns and 201 receiving yards with one touchdown during his lone season with the Sooners.
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On May 7, 2021, McGowan was removed from Oklahoma following his involvement in a legal case in which he was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The charges were ultimately dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to larceny from a person at nighttime in December of that year.
After a stint at NAIA school Texas College in 2022, where he did not see game action, McGowan continued his path back to Division I football, playing six games with Butler Community College before transferring to New Mexico State for the 2024 season.
Now, with his past behind him, McGowan has a chance to turn the page and contribute in a major way to the Wildcats’ offense.
Running backs coach Jay Boulware, who helped Oklahoma sign McGowan out of high school, likely played a role in bringing him to Kentucky, where he is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.
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Along with Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell, McGowan could be a part of a versatile and punishing backfield tandem for the Wildcats. While Dowdell brings a physical, downhill rushing style, McGowan’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game adds a dynamic layer to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s pro-style system, which emphasizes balance and explosive playmaking.