By anyone’s account, this is a brutal week for the Kentucky football team even though they are rising through the rankings after shutting down Florida and LSU in consecutive weeks. While on a high and ready to take on the No. 1 team in the land in Georgia how much of a devasting blow would a loss be?
Now, this isn’t your normal Kentucky team stepping “between the hedges” this week. They are much better in talent, depth, chemistry, and phyche. But will that be enough?
Georgia, like Kentucky, is riding high as well also 6-0 and 4-0 in the SEC. They unseated Alabama as the nation’s best team after the Tide fell to Texas A&M last week. The Dawgs are used to this, but Kentucky is in unchartered waters. T
Big Blue would love nothing more than to send the Dawgs to the doghouse, just like they muzzled the Gators and tamed the Tigers. But Georgia has different ideas and expects to remain the King of the land.
Kentucky Offensive coordinator Liam Coen discussed what it takes to take down a team like Georgia.
"“At the end of the day, it’s really about our players making plays. When you watch all of the games against Georgia, the people who have had success and the guys who have competed with them, players are making plays. Guys are rising to the occasion, making plays. Scheme is definitely involved but this is a great (opportunity) for our guys to go out and do something special.”"
Georgia will do what Georgia does week in and week out.
Kentucky on the other hand knows it has to execute to perfection while raising its game even higher than it already has. A tall order but not out of the question.
So what do the Wildcats HAVE to do in order to stay in this game into the fourth quarter and have a shot with all the college football world watching?
Let’s simplify it into the usual five keys. While simplistic and generic in nature they are vital in Kentucky’s shot at the dream season continuing.