Kirby Smart explains how Georgia Bulldogs prepare for rainy conditions ahead of Kentucky game
The Georgia Bulldogs (2-0) will leave for Lexington on Thursday afternoon for their Week 3 matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats (1-1). The forecast doesn't look too promising right now with a chance of 60 percent of rain on Saturday. There's a possibility that the skies clear up by the time the Georgia-Kentucky 7:30 p.m. ET […]
The Georgia Bulldogs (2-0) will leave for Lexington on Thursday afternoon for their Week 3 matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats (1-1).
The forecast doesn't look too promising right now with a chance of 60 percent of rain on Saturday. There's a possibility that the skies clear up by the time the Georgia-Kentucky 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff rolls around, but regardless of rain or not, head coach Kirby Smart will have his Dawgs ready for whatever mother nature brings.
"We look at it last night and start tracking it each and every day," Smart said. "We do every two weeks wet ball drill and practice with wet balls like we’re gonna play in the rain. We’ve been able to practice some this year a couple times in the rain. And sometimes the weather up there, typically it’s later in the year we play them, and typically it’s much colder, which we’ve had some really tough games up there in the cold, in the wind. This year, it looks like there may be some inclement weather, and we’ve gotta prepare for it.”
I asked around if Georgia will rely on their run game if the rain starts, but was told that Smart is never afraid to throw the ball in the rain. However, if there is a hot hand in the run game, then they won't shy away from leaning on that player.
The undefeated Bulldogs are currently favored by 23.5 points over the Wildcats, who enter this week coming off a brutal 31-6 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Georgia leads the all-time series against Kentucky, 63-12-2, including 14 straight wins.
Kentucky has, however, managed to keep games close in recent years at Kroger Field, which means rain or shine, the Bulldogs will be put to the test.
“It’s never easy up there," Smart said of Kentucky. "lt’s never easy on the road in the SEC at all and I don’t know if people truly respect and appreciate a win on the road at Kentucky.”
