Georgia Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Kentucky in Week 12

Here’s everything you need to know about this week’s SEC East collision between Georgia football and Kentucky.

This game doesn’t seem like that big a deal on the surface, but a definitive Georgia win could put them back in the national title picture.

Georgia is in the precarious position of having to win out the rest of its season to keep its national title dreams alive. It’s not impossible, by any means, and a win in the SEC Championship Game will help. Kentucky isn’t the pushover that Bulldogs fans might like this late in the season, and 2016 was closer than was comfortable for UGA fans.  If you have forgotten, in 2016 the final score in that matchup was 27-24.

Georgia has its eyes on a bigger prize, and head coach Kirby Smart is well aware of that. His team has already earned its spot in the SEC Championship game, but the ‘Dawgs need to triumph the rest of the season to be considered for the CFP. This game needs to make a statement, but smart money says that Kentucky can cover the spread.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s SEC East showdown game:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 18
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Athens, Ga.
Venue:  Sanford Stadium
TV: CBS
Live Stream: CBS Sports Live

Keys to Victory

I shouldn’t have to keep saying this, but the ‘Dawgs still have one of the deadliest pair of running backs in college football. Sony Michel and Nick Chubb have amassed an insane 19 touchdowns between the pair of them and accrued almost 1,700 yards. Plus the Bulldogs are looking to redeem themselves after a painful loss last week at Auburn.

The Dawgs need to wind up Chubb and Michel and let them go. The backs pack a punch and Kentucky may not be able to ward off the blows.  That being said, last week’s mess against Auburn should be a lesson for the Bulldogs, and you can bet that Kirby Smart will shore up the weak spots going into the rest of the season.

Fromm will get drilled until talent defies inexperience. Time management, a problem in the Auburn game, will be addressed. Flea flickers and running back passes will be discarded — as they should be. If Georgia plays this game with confidence and stops trying to run the ball at the outset, they should have this game in the bag.

Betting Odds

All odds via SportsBook Review

Point Spread: Georgia  -24
Over/Under: 41

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Prediction

Yes, Georgia lost last week to Auburn, but Auburn is a terrific football team and rivalry games are always emotional. This rivalry is weightier than most — Georgia and Auburn have the one of the nation’s oldest, dating back to 1892. So before you write Georgia off, remember that the Georgia-Auburn game could very well become a rematch in a few weeks, depending on how the rest of the season goes. And you can bet that it will be a rematch for which Smart and company will be well prepared.

Kentucky will make a showing –the team has been feisty the last few games and they should cover the spread. The ‘Dawgs should win, but a three-touchdown spread is a bit much.

Final Score:  Georgia 20, Kentucky 17