This past Saturday Georgia was upset by South Carolina, and many experts thought that the Gamecocks would be one of the last teams to pull off a victory against Kirby Smart’s team. 

When examining Georgia’s 2019 schedule and trying to pick possible opponents the Bulldogs could lose to, many chose Notre Dame and Auburn as strong candidates. A few had chosen Florida and Texas A&M as potential teams, but barely anyone thought that Will Muschamp’s Gamecocks would leave Athens with a 20-17 victory. 

Before the game on Saturday, Smart shared with WSB’s Chuck Dowdle that he felt his team was not ready for the game against South Carolina. 

“They got a great football team,” Smart said. “We gotta get our ass ready to play. Our team is not ready to play right now. We gotta get our team ready to play. We have to get ready to execute. It is going to be a physical, tough game.”

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Smart’s prediction turned about to be correct as the offense struggled all day long, and even though the defense played great they were unable to force a turnover against the Gamecocks. 

Quarterback Jake Fromm was 28 of 51 passing for 258 yards with one touchdown, and three interceptions. Fromm had an interception that was returned for a touchdown towards the end of the first half that proved costly for the Bulldogs.

Running back D’Andre Swift had a great game as he ran the ball 23 times for 113 yards and a touchdown, but he felt that something was not right before kickoff. 

“Some people said they didn’t feel okay, and they just felt Saturday didn’t feel normal,” Swift said. “Some people felt weird during pre-game. I’m not sure what was going on but we just weren’t on the same page Saturday.”

Swift commented on if there were any warning signs when asked. 

“You could say that. We haven’t played a complete game offensively at all,” Swift said. “The first half of the Tennessee game wasn’t too good; it’s bound to happen but we need to get back and refocus and start over.”

Even though Smart thought that the focus was on the game, he just felt like in pregame warmups there was something missing. 

“I thought in pregame warmups, for me, I want to see more physicality, more get going. I thought that had a little bit to do with the early start, getting them going in the locker room,” said Smart. “But there was good preparation, and good lead up. I really felt good about that, and give South Carolina credit, they had a lot of it.”

As Georgia prepares for Kentucky, Smart knows that his team can’t lose again if they want a berth in the SEC Championship game. 

“But, again, the focus for us better be on Kentucky, because you can’t let South Carolina beat you twice.”

The challenge for the Bulldogs this week will be Kentucky’s wide receiver converted to quarterback, Lynn Bowden. 

“He’s extremely athletic, and I tell you what, the guy does a phenomenal job,” said Smart.  “I think their staff does a great job of using his skill set. And you think when he’s back there he’s not going to throw it, but it becomes harder to defend him because you let the pass creep out of your mind and then he hits two or three big passes.”

No. 10 Georgia faces the Kentucky Wildcats at 6 p.m. in Athens on Oct. 19.