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Kentucky vs. Georgia: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

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Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards (30) carries the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the third quarter at Kroger Field.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

After a historic win over Florida, their third straight against the Gators, Kentucky football is 5-0 for just the fifth time in the last 72 years, with three of those coming in the last six years. This Saturday, Kentucky has an opportunity to continue to make history, traveling to Athens to go up against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Of course, Georgia is the defending National Champion and the No. 1 team in the country. However, they haven’t looked to be the juggernaut that many thought they would be. In both of their SEC matchups this season, against Auburn and South Carolina, two teams that look objectively worse than Kentucky, the Bulldogs have been tied or down at halftime.

Can Kentucky pull the upset? They have the personnel to do so, but it’s going to be a tall task. BUT if they can, Kentucky has a chance to take the “next step” that Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow refer to, by giving Kentucky a real shot at the SEC Championship and a signature program win.

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Let’s see what Kentucky needs to do to give themselves the best shot at a win.

Slow Brock Bowers

When talking about Georgia in Monday’s press conference Mark Stoops called Georgia’s top player and tight end, Brock Bowers, an “absolute freak in the most complimentary way.”

On the season, Bowers has 30 receptions for 413 total yards and three touchdowns. In comparison to the rest of the Georgia offense, he nearly doubles the next closest player in receiving yards, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, who has 226 yards. In other words, he is really good.

When looking at the game logs it should come as no surprise that when he struggles, the Bulldogs’ offense struggles. As said earlier, Georgia has been down or tied at halftime of their first two SEC contests this season. In the first halves of those games, Bowers has caught a combined 5 catches for 26 yards. However, in the second halves, he has a combined 10 receptions for 185 yards. Truly a tale of two halves.

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The Kentucky defense is one of the best defensive units in the country, it will be interesting to see if and how they can limit the future top 5 draft pick.

Get Some Explosive Plays

If you look at college football upsets, one key ingredient is explosive plays and Kentucky has the players to provide those and has shown that this season. Looking at the stats, Kentucky is eleventh in plays with 20+ yard gains with 33, and tied for fifth with plays more than 50+ yards, with 6.

Running back Ray Davis has provided several of those plays against the – what was – top rushing defense in the SEC in Florida. While not playing their best thus far this season, receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key have proven they are capable of big games, and you would have to think the passing game has to start clicking at some point.

However, I believe another likely source of an explosive play is the Kentucky defense. This season the defense has forced a defensive score in three of their five games. In the past, the Kentucky defense has a history of stepping up in primetime games, such as JJ Weaver’s 4th quarter interception against Florida in 2021 or Bud Dupree’s game-winning pick-six against South Carolina in 2014.

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Come Prepared

Through the first four games of this season, the Kentucky football team went undefeated, but there was still much to be desired from their performance. While there is still room for improvement, especially in the passing game, Kentucky just beat a Top 25 opponent 33-14, and it could have easily been by more.

That said Georgia is a much tougher opponent than Florida and may be the Wildcats’ toughest opponent of the season. If Kentucky wants a shot to win, they need to come prepared on both sides of the ball and capitalize on their red zone opportunities, which they failed to do last season.

Given this is Georgia’s first night game since 2021, it will also be a rowdy road environment. Mark Stoops and Co must be ready to overcome adversity on and off the field

No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 SEC) vs. No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 SEC)

Time/Date: 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, October 7th, 2023
Location: Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia
TV Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Molly McGrath
Online Stream: WatchESPNESPN+, SEC Network+, or the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio 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

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Covers.com Weather Forecast:

Odds: The DraftKings Sportsbook has Kentucky bet down to a small 14.5-point underdog. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Kentucky a small but fair shot, giving the Wildcats a 13.9% chance to pull the upset.

PredictionsTeamRankings has Georgia coming away with a 31-17 win, while DRatings.com is going with a 37-14 victory for the Bulldogs! As much as I want to drink the Kool-Aid, I can’t. I’m predicting a close first half thanks to the Kentucky defense, but Georgia starts to pull away in the third quarter to win 27-17.

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Deone Walker Drafted No. 109 To The Buffalo Bills

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Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics

Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker has been selected No. 109 by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

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.

Ray Davis also welcomed BBN to Bills Mafia moments after the selection.

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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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.

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Maxwell Hairston Drafted No. 30 To The Buffalo Bills

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Maxwell Hairston
Caleb Bowlin | UK Athletics

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.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the former Wildcats’ name just before the night ended, making the West Bloomfield native’s dreams come true.

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Ray Davis went to social media to share his excitement to have a familiar face in the locker room.

The National Football League shared an emotional video of Hairston embracing his father after the Bills drafted him.

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.

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Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer

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New Mexico State University Athletics

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.

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