Kentucky vs. Georgia: Punching a Ticket to the SEC Championship

The Georgia Bulldogs' 45-7 pounding of the Auburn Tigers Saturday in Athens may have been one of the more uplifting moments in recent memory for Dawg fans.

There's nothing better than beating up on a hated rival and all but guaranteeing a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship in the process. The Bulldogs were able to do just that.

Coach Mark Richt, who many people believe began the year on somewhat of a hot seat after an 0-2 start, has turned things around and now has Georgia in a position to potentially win the SEC.

"I'm not sitting here saying that there's been any moment in time that I've had some kind of weight lifted. I'm just trying to finish the drill. I'm trying to do my job."

The No. 13-ranked Bulldogs have won eight straight games, but Richt knows that before they can start thinking title game they must stay focused and take care of the task at hand.

"We know what's at stake," Richt said. "I think our guys are going to continue to stay focused throughout the week. I can't imagine them going backward now."

A win over Kentucky on Saturday would clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game for the Dawgs, sending them to Atlanta for the fourth time during Richt's 11-year tenure at Georgia.

The Wildcats (4-6, 1-5 SEC) have had a rough 2011 season, but with just two games remaining they can still make a bowl game if they win out against Georgia and Tennessee. However, coming off of a 38-8 thumping from Vanderbilt, a win over both the Dawgs and Vols looks like a monumental feat. 

Georgia will be sending out its fourth-ranked defense against a Kentucky offense that has been less than stellar, ranking 118th in the nation in total offense.

Scoring won't be the only obstacle the Wildcats will have to overcome.

Georgia quarterback, Aaron Murray, leads the SEC with 27 touchdown passes to go along with only eight interceptions.

The Dawgs, who are 41st in passing offense, have also averaged over 188 yards rushing per game—something Kentucky hasn't been able to stop, allowing at least 134 yards over their last eight games.

Head coach of the Wildcats, Joker Phillips, addressed what they will see from the Georgia ground attack come Saturday.

"They're doing a really good job up front," Phillips said. "They have a big offensive line that's coming off the ball and running some attitude-type plays. We have to match it and get it stopped." 

Kentucky is 12-50-2 all-time against the Bulldogs and just an astounding 4-24-2 at Sanford Stadium. However, the visiting team has won each of the last two games between these two schools.

Hope for Kentucky?

Hardly.

Prediction: Kentucky 10, Georgia 41