How No. 20 Kentucky can upset No. 1 Georgia

The No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs have gotten off to a 5-0 start and sit atop the SEC East, looking to win the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive year.

Hoping to get in their way is another 5-0 squad in the SEC East, the Kentucky Wildcats, who recently cracked the AP top 25, coming in at No. 20. Kentucky is fresh off of a 33-14 drubbing against then-No. 22-ranked Florida.

It goes without saying that Georgia is one of the top teams in the nation, if not the top. However, while oddsmakers are not giving Kentucky much of a chance (+14.5 underdog), Kentucky is capable of not only covering that spread, but pulling off an upset in Athens, Ga.

Here's why.

1. Ray Davis

Kentucky running back Ray Davis was simply unstoppable last week against Florida, rushing for 280 yards (206 in the first half) and three touchdowns. His 280 yards were the third highest in a single game for a Kentucky running back.

Davis should be in store for another strong game. Georgia is coming off a 27-20 victory against Auburn, a game in which the Bulldogs surrendered 219 total rushing yards, which almost cost them the game.

Unlike previous seasons, Kirby Smart's run defense is not as dominant. Since 2019, the Bulldogs surrendered no more than 81.7 rushing yards per game. This year, however, that mark is up to 113.4.

In five games this season, Davis has rushed for 594 yards and averages an absurd 7.8 yards per rush. 

2. Kentucky defense

Kentucky has allowed 15.2 points per game, third lowest in the SEC, and forced nine turnovers, which is third most in the SEC, one spot behind Auburn, who forced Georgia into two turnovers last week.

Last week the Wildcats limited Florida to just 14 points, a team that unloaded 29 on Tennessee just weeks prior.

Considering that Georgia has had troubles in recent weeks against teams like South Carolina and Auburn, this should be quite encouraging.

3. Wildcats OL

The Georgia defensive line is not what it was last year. In fact, through five weeks, the Bulldogs have eight sacks. In the SEC, only Florida has fewer. This is encouraging news for Kentucky, who boasts one of the best offensive lines. Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary has only been sacked four times this season.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET Saturday in what should be a battle among two of the top teams in the SEC.