Smart plays down discussion of Kentucky’s ‘biggest game’

ATHENS — Saturday’s SEC battle between No. 6 Georgia and No. 9 Kentucky will decide the league’s East Division champion, and it has also been referred to in some circles as the biggest game in Wildcats football history.

While Kentucky hasn’t been in the conference champion conversation for some four decades, Georgia coach Kirby Smart said earlier this week that the Wildcats have had more than their share of big games and have acquitted themselves well in those situations.

“I think big-game experience is valuable, but I also think (Kentucky) has played in big games,” Smart said. “They’ve had a good team now — for two or three years, they’ve been in the hunt. I felt like the game that we played up there two years ago was a big game. They had a great atmosphere, a really good crowd.

“They’ve got a lot of experience . ... They’ve got seniors who have played in a lot more games than some of our younger players.”

The Bulldogs hold a 57-12-2 advantage in the series, which began in 1939, and have won eight consecutive games against Kentucky. Georgia is 27-7 in Lexington.

Georgia players are well aware of what’s on the line and the kind of emotional comportment Kentucky — which posted a 27-16 upset over Florida in early September — is likely to bring to the game.

“Oh, they’re big. The whole program — everybody involved — knows what’s at stake, especially with a week like this and a great SEC opponent like this in Kentucky (with) an explosive offense and playing well on defense,” defensive back Tyrique McGhee said.

The profit of Jeremiah: Wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman has enjoyed a solid season but clearly had a breakout performance against Florida, grabbing four passes for 48 yards and two big touchdowns. He’s had bigger games in terms of yardage (three catches for 90 yards against Middle Tennessee and one catch for 61 yards against Missouri), but the two touchdowns were a career best.

The Covington native, who came into the season with one reception for 7 yards (he’s caught 15 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns in 2018), is finding that his comfort level is starting to match his confidence.

“I was confident in myself going into the season,” Holloman said earlier this week. “I feel like I stepped up mentally and became more of a vocal leader in being able to talk to everybody and know what is going on.

“On the field, I knew I was able to make the plays. I have been going about the game differently. I’m becoming a student of the game like taking notes in meetings and studying different players that I have to go up against to find their weaknesses. I’ve found out that those are the things I need to do to separate myself from others.”

Big Benny: In SEC games, the only team putting up better rushing numbers than Kentucky is Georgia. The Wildcats are ranked second in the conference in rushing offense, averaging nearly 195 yards.

While a good chunk of that ground output comes courtesy of running back Benny Snell, quarterback Terry Wilson is also a running threat.

The 5-foot-11, 223-pound Snell has averaged 116 yards overall, and Wilson has averaged 50 yards.

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman (9) is becoming more confident and improving his production. He has 15 receptions, including four for TDs.