Observations from the armchair, Georgia-Kentucky edition

Overall, this game had a familiar flavor, as we’ve seen Georgia struggle in Lexington often.  But I’ll take any conference road win gratefully, especially with the way the Dawgs had been struggling coming into this one… not to mention that Kentucky appeared to be riding a little momentum coming in.

As Ted Nugent might say, I’ve got your bullet points right here.

• It’s only fair to start by saying what special teams taketh away, it gaveth back Saturday night.  Yes, the McKenzie fumble was brutal, but Blankenship was money and Long’s punting was improved.  Nor did Kentucky bust any big returns.  I’ll take it.  Perhaps the most underrated special teams decision was that of going after the opposing punter harder than I’ve seen all season.  (If you’re not going to block to set up returns, why not?)
• One of those small key moments that are easy to overlook:  Malkom Parrish’s effective rush on the field goal attempt that led to a holding call pushing UK out of field goal range.  Might have made a big difference down the stretch.
• Another one:  Kirby’s timeout during Snell’s barrage of runs out of the wildcat formation.  Some ass got chewed and the defense stiffened to keep the ‘Cats out of the end zone.  Again, that was a big four points that never made it to the scoreboard.
• Weird night from the offensive line, as Eason wasn’t sacked, but Kentucky had seven tackles for loss.
• Deandre Baker is living proof that even when beaten, a defensive back should never give up on a play.
• Speaking of Parrish, at some point quarterbacks are going to realize he’s pretty good covering taller receivers trying to haul in fade passes in the end zone.
• They don’t throw the ball enough to Terry Godwin.
• I felt bad watching those Chubb fumbles, especially the one resulting from his trying too hard to get that extra half-yard.  And Michel had a terrific game.  But Chubb’s biggest problem is that Georgia hasn’t really had one of those games since North Carolina when it can just use him to bludgeon the other team’s defense into submission.
• Eason’s still got work to do on his mechanics, but one area of his play that’s improved over the course of the season is his play action fake.
• I probably say this every week, but Isaac Nauta is going to be a special player.
• I probably also say this every week as well, but Georgia’s defensive line is going to be hell on wheels in another season or two.  Two starting defensive linemen missed much or all of the game, and they still held Kentucky’s running attack in check most of the night.  Rochester in particular stepped up and played well.
• When’s the last time before Roquan Smith Georgia had an inside linebacker who wasn’t a liability in pass coverage?
• Overall, the biggest flaw in the defense is a lack of consistency at the worst times.  Kentucky’s offense had been on a roll coming into the game and was considerably slowed down, in large part because the Dawgs played shut down ball on third downs.  But in the red zone, there simply wasn’t enough resistance, as they allowed three touchdowns and four scores in four opportunities.
• I wonder if they keep fighting letting Eason play out of the shotgun and pistol, or if Chaney’s finally decided to give in a bit.
• Give Kirby Smart some credit.  After Jacksonville, it would have been easy for Georgia to fold its cards in the face of adversity, but he kept his team focused and together.
• So, Brent Musburger’s watching other football games and horse racing in the booth during the game.  That explains a lot.

It’s a good win.  It may even be a confidence booster.  Considering this week’s opponent, they’ll need all the confidence they can get.