Western Kentucky at Georgia - 2026 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Georgia BulldogsGeorgia logo
Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Sanford Stadium - Athens, GA

 
Hilltoppers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (58 - 35)
Avg Score : 30 - 23 (25 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 4.3 (#35)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
UGA 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Georgia -33.5  (SP+ UGA -23)
Projected Score: WKU: 9 - UGA: 43 (52)
UGA Win prob: 100% | Cover: 46%
WKU Travel: 272 miles, 1 hrs behind
Bulldogs (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirby Smart (117 - 21)
Avg Score : 32 - 18 (35 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.3 - 1.7 (#19)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
 
Western Kentucky's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/12 Western Kentucky at Georgia+33.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule
Georgia's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Georgia vs Tennessee State-50
Sat 9/12 Georgia vs Western Kentucky-33.5
Sat 9/19 Georgia at Arkansas-20
Sat 9/26 Georgia vs Oklahoma-9
Sat 10/3 Georgia vs Vanderbilt-12.5
Sat 10/10 Georgia at Alabama-6.5
Sat 10/17 Georgia vs Auburn-16
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Georgia vs Florida-19.5
Sat 11/7 Georgia at Ole Miss-3.5
Sat 11/14 Georgia vs Missouri-12
Sat 11/21 Georgia at South Carolina-15
Sat 11/28 Georgia vs Georgia Tech-22

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Georgia's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#76 (.16)43% (58)29.545% (50)2.99 (62)13542% (63)2724.21 (30)#43 (.11)37% (19)22.839% (28)36% (17)2.72 (10)61.31.61.1
UGA#23 (.26)48% (14)32.147% (27)3.08 (44)18248% (17)2204.79 (7)#34 (.1)39% (34)17.638% (16)41% (66)3.67 (68)43.50.90.9
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UGA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Offense1329.524.543.1%4.211.6214071352724.242%57%45%42%15%.16
UGA Defense1417.614.139.1%3.670.9 - - - - - 44%54%38%41%15%.1
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Defense1322.82837.1%2.721.1 - - - - - 46%52%39%36%16%.11
UGA Offense1432.134.647.8%4.790.9244031822204.455%44%47%48%13%.26

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Kentucky1329:3521.446%33%6.261.31.61.15.51.4228.2
Georgia1433:4024.243%75%4.643.50.90.94.11.4029.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Offense1342% (125)45% (50)31.8134.64.223 (78).08 (86)2.99 (62)81% (11)9% (47)0.91 (93)
UGA Defense1444% (9)38% (16) - - - - -.01 (12)2.53 (12)71% (65)8% (113)0.74 (1)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Defense1346% (24)39% (28) - - - - .09 (62)2.79 (52)55% (2)9% (97)1.13 (130)
UGA Offense1455% (30)47% (27)41.1182.44.431 (16).16 (45)3.08 (44)75% (52)9% (42)0.92 (85)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Offense1357% (12)42% (63)2538.1272.27.210.921 (42)13 (60).24 (75)1.5 (90)33% (100)34% (26).36 (45)6% (90)1.9 (105)
UGA Defense1454% (127)41% (66) - - - - - - 9 (75).23 (59)1.4 (14)30% (95)24% (11).17 (19)7% (28)2 (50)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Defense1352% (110)36% (17) - - - - - - 9 (55).16 (29)1.5 (61)34% (32)27% (27).23 (42)7% (15)2 (66)
UGA Offense1444% (106)48% (17)20.529.8220.27.410.725 (61)7 (20).36 (34)1.4 (127)29% (33)32% (42).35 (51)5% (28)1.9 (109)

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -10.37  #95
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 4.50  #107
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 19.87  #83
2026 Talent Rating: 554.00  #96
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #88
Western Kentucky's 2026 Expected Record: 8.7 - 4.3
Western Kentucky's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.6  #69
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.6  #78

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 445.2
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -10.37   Georgia: 29.06

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: 1.6   Georgia: 24.1




Georgia's Power Ratings
Georgia's Power Rating: 29.06  #1
Georgia's Offense Rating: 31.88  #1
Georgia's Defense Rating: -1.41  #3
2026 Talent Rating: 1242.00  #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 74  #1
Georgia's 2026 Expected Record: 10.3 - 1.7
Georgia's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 24.1  #6
Georgia's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.0  #14
Georgia's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.8  #8

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 985.38
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.5
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 28

Western Kentucky's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Georgia 43
Western Kentucky 9

Projected Total Points: 52
Georgia Scoring
Offense: 32.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 34.6
Defense: 17.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.1

Georgia's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
200609/02Georgia48Western Kentucky12
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Georgia100 Overs
Western Kentucky000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#95) WKU at (#1) UGA
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWKUUGA
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #95 #1
SP+SP+ #69 #6
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #96 #1
Blue ChipsBC% #88 #1
Western Kentucky on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffUGA Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #58 #34
ExplosiveExp #74 #7
PPAPPA #76 #34
PowerPwr #107 #3
SP+SP+ #56 #8
Pts POPPO #30 #68
HavocHav #59 #80
Western Kentucky Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffUGA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #50 #16
Run ExplRExp #93 #1
PPAExp #86 #12
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #62 #12
Stuff RateStuff #98 #48
TackleTak - NR
Western Kentucky Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
WKU OffUGA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #63 #66
Pass ExplPExl #90 #14
PPAExp #75 #59
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #113
DB HavocDB #90 #28
Georgia on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCatUGA OffWKU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #14 #19
ExplosiveExp #129 #118
PPAPPA #23 #43
PowerPwr #1 #83
SP+SP+ #14 #78
Pts POPPO #7 #10
HavocHav #36 #59
Georgia Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCat
UGA OffWKU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #27 #28
Run ExplRExp #85 #130
PPAExp #45 #62
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #44 #52
Stuff RateStuff #95 #29
TackleTak - NR
Georgia Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 43%
CategoryCatUGA OffWKU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #17 #17
Pass ExplPExl #127 #61
PPAExp #34 #29
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #42 #97
DB HavocDB #28 #15
Program Comparison
UGA 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'26 Profile: Remains Title Contenders

WKU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Sanford Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WKU's OC Vacant (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rodney Tisdale Jr.13921266%1432976.8
Brock Glenn (Tr)61060%69206.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Marvis Parrish10657615.466
Rodney Tisdale Jr.5210822.115
Brock Glenn (Tr)74306.115
Marvin Sims114014.014
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jay Rockwell721132715.770
Cameron Flowers19204110.730
Marvis Parrish3620315.622
Isaiah Myers243021.522

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Davis Merritt (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis744005
Jakeem Fletcher152000
Venson Sneed141012
Jordan Donald142010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis744005
Eric Etienne20000
Korbyn Green10000
Jay Rockwell10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Lewis744005
Venson Sneed141012
Kiawan Murphy (Tr)130011

UGA's OC Mike Bobo (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Gunner Stockton26938670%28942457.5
Ryan Puglisi162759%161126.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Nate Frazier17394765.559
Dante Dowdell (Tr)11256035.079
Chauncey Bowens10352665.143
Gunner Stockton129462103.622
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Isiah Canion (Tr)32467414.642
London Humphreys18276315.336
Lawson Luckie15158410.529
Elyiss Williams7117116.727

View Georgia's Full Roster

UGA's DC Glenn Schumann (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
KJ Bolden773005
Raylen Wilson747231
Ja'Marley Riddle (Tr)704006
Chris Cole617502
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris Cole617502
Zayden Walker62200
Amaris Williams (Tr)146200
Quintavius Johnson346235
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ellis Robinson IV201007
Ja'Marley Riddle (Tr)704006
Quintavius Johnson346235