Top-ranked Georgia is set to host No. 11 Kentucky in what is being dubbed by some, the SEC East Championship on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
"We are excited for a great matchup at home against an undefeated Kentucky team," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "I have a lot of respect for what Mark (Stoops) has been able to do there. A tremendous job developing players. Every time we play them it is an extremely physical game. I know our fan base will turn out. We're excited to have another big-time matchup at home."
The Bulldogs earned the No. 1 ranking with the 34-10 win over Auburn last week, and Alabama's 41-38 loss at Texas A&M.
The No.11 Wildcats' are off to their first 6-0 start since 1950, but they're huge underdogs against a Georgia team that has surrendered only two defensive touchdowns all season.
The Bulldogs were a unanimous choice for the top spot in The Associated Press rankings after Alabama's upset loss to Texas A&M. It's the first time since 1982 that Georgia has held the No. 1 ranking during the season. The Bulldogs have won 11 straight over Kentucky, their last loss coming in 2009.
NEED TO KNOW
No. 11 Kentucky (6-0, 4-0 SEC) at No. 1 Georgia (6-0, 4-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT (CBS).
Line: Georgia by 21 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Georgia leads 60-12-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The winner gains control of the SEC East race and is likely headed for a spot in the league championship game. Georgia's defense, which has allowed just two touchdowns all season, will look to turn in another stifling performance in its bid to go down as one of the greatest units of the modern era. Kentucky gets a chance to show it can compete with the nation's elite programs in a sport that's not basketball.
KEY MATCHUP
Kentucky's running game vs. Georgia's defensive front. The Wildcats, who are averaging 214.2 yards per game on the ground, must establish some sort of effective running attack to have any chance of knocking off the nation's top-ranked team. But that's easier said than done against a Bulldogs defense that is surrendering an average of just 64.2 yards rushing. Kentucky ranks next-to-last in the SEC in passing yards; the Wildcats can't afford to get into situations where going to the air is their only alternative.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kentucky: QB Will Levis. He threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more scores in last week's 42-21 rout of LSU. While his throwing touch has been a work in progress, Levis did complete 14 of 17 passes for 145 yards against the Tigers.
Georgia: TE Brock Bowers. The freshman has emerged as one of the offense's biggest weapons, leading the team with 20 catches for 315 yards and four touchdowns. His size (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) and speed make him a tough matchup for opposing defenses.
FACTS & FIGURES
Georgia has allowed just 33 points — a nation-leading 5.5 a game — and that includes a pick-six touchdown scored by UAB. This is the fewest points given up by the Bulldogs through six games since 1935. ... Georgia's defense also leads the country in total yards (201.2 per game) and passing yards (137.0). ... Kentucky is 6-0 for the first time since 1950. ... The Bulldogs moved up to No. 1 in The Associated Press rankings with Alabama's loss to Texas A&M. It marks the first time Georgia has held that spot during the season since 1982. ... The Bulldogs have won 11 straight games in the series. Their last loss to the Wildcats was a 27-24 setback in 2009. ... Georgia leads the SEC and ranks six nationally with 22 sacks. ... QB Stetson Bennett has started three games for the Bulldogs filling in for injured JT Daniels.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
