Kentucky @ Georgia preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Georgia 44, Kentucky 31

THE STORY: After Georgia lost its first two games of the season, there was plenty of heat on head coach Mark Richt. Not anymore. The No. 15 Bulldogs have won eight in a row since back-to-back losses to Boise State and South Carolina, and a victory at home Saturday over Kentucky will clinch the SEC East title and send the Bulldogs to the SEC Championship Game for the first time since 2005. Georgia comes in after dismantling then-No. 25 Auburn 45-7. Kentucky is heading in the opposite direction, having lost six of its past eight. The Wildcats were throttled 38-8 at Vanderbilt last week and are 4 ½ games behind Georgia in the East.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: Georgia –29 ½.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (4-6, 1-5 SEC): In a season lacking many bright spots, linebacker Danny Trevathan and safety Winston Guy are among the best defensive performers in the SEC. Trevathan leads the conference in tackles (118); Guy is second (102), and the two players have combined for six interceptions. But offensively, Kentucky ranks last in the SEC in scoring at 17 points per game, and will be challenged by a Georgia defense ranked fourth in the nation in total defense. Maxwell Smith will start at quarterback again as Morgan Newton is still hampered by an ankle injury.

ABOUT GEORGIA (8-2, 6-1 SEC): Everything is clicking for the Bulldogs right now. Sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray threw four touchdown passes last week, and with 27 TD passes on the season has eclipsed Matthew Stafford’s single-season record of 25. Both Isaiah Crowell (132 yards) and Carlton Thomas (127 yards) rushed for more than 100 yards against Auburn. Georgia ranks second in the SEC in total offense (438.7) and has allowed just 13.3 points per game during its eight-game win streak. Crowell earned SEC freshman of the week honors, while center Ben Jones was named the conference’s offensive lineman of the week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Bulldogs have won eight in a row during a season for the first time since starting 8-0 in 2002.

2. Kentucky went 0-for-12 on third down against Vanderbilt.

3. Georgia free safety Bacarri Rambo leads all active NCAA players in interception return yards with 241. Rambo returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown last week.

PREDICTION: Georgia 37, Kentucky 7 – The Bulldogs’ defense will smother Kentucky, and Georgia will have more than enough offense to clinch a trip to Atlanta.