Georgia yet to make a decision on who starts at QB against Kentucky
ATHENS, Ga. -- Three days have passed since Georgia's 27-3 loss to Florida and a starting quarterback decision hasn't been made.
Against the Gators, Georgia elected to go with junior Faton Bauta, who completed 15 of 33 passes for 154 yards and four interceptions. Bauta replaced Greyson Lambert, who was Georgia's quarterback through the first seven games of the season.
However, there's been no commitment to either player at the moment. Head coach Mark Richt said the coaching staff is still working to figure out who will start this Saturday against Kentucky.
"It would be nice to get more stability at that position, but it just hasn't played out that way," Richt said. "We're basically competing this week at a lot of positions, especially on offense, just making sure the guys aren't too comfortable. I guess the bottom line is we want to get the best 11 on the field for whatever situation it calls. It's not going to be just 11 guys. We know we sub. We know we have different personnel groups and things of that nature, but the bottom line is to get the best people in the game and help them execute."
On Georgia's depth chart, Bauta and Lambert are listed as co-starters, with Brice Ramsey being the third-stringer. During Tuesday's practice, all three quarterbacks received first-team reps.
A week ago, tight end Jeb Blazevich knew Bauta was starting but kept things tight-lipped when reporters asked him if a change was coming at the position.
As of Tuesday, Blazevich said he's unsure who will wind up starting. Blazevich said he's not necessarily concerned as who gets the nod as long as he receives an equal amount of reps with each quarterback.
"I don't know who they're going to pick," Blazevich said. "I just hope we get a chance to work with them all equally before they decide."
New offensive line look
Richt previously said the offensive line would probably see a shift this week.
That appeared to be the case during the media viewing period of Tuesday's practice. Three starting linemen from Georgia's first eight games are now at different positions, with a new face in the mix.
The new makeup of the offensive line looked like this -- left tackle Isaiah Wynn, left guard Kolton Houston, center Brandon Kublanow, right guard Dyshon Sims, right tackle John Theus.
Not with the first team was Greg Pyke, who started each of Georgia's first eight games at right guard.
Wynn was previously a left guard, Houston was a right tackle and Theus was a left tackle.
Although this lineup was with the first team during the media viewing period of practice, it doesn't necessarily mean this will be the starting group on Saturday against Kentucky.
Earlier Tuesday, Richt said that Sims, a sophomore who has appeared in four games this season, was someone the Bulldogs were looking at when it came to mixing up a new starting offensive line. However, he stopped short of saying Sims would definitely start.
"Sims might have a chance to work his way into getting some playing time," Richt said. "I'm not saying he'll start or anything like that. I mean, he could, but we've got a couple physical days of practice today and tomorrow that might help decide that."
Jenkins hopes to be full strength for kentucky game
Georgia outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins wants to be close to full strength for Saturday's game against Kentucky.
This week in practice, Jenkins will continue to test out what he called an injury to his groin and abdominal wall. Jenkins missed the Missouri game three weeks ago after further aggravating the injury on Oct. 10 against Tennessee.
"It was definitely something I'd never been through," Jenkins said. "It was a new experience for me. Most of the injuries I've ever had have been minor injuries that happened in the offseason. It was a new feeling having to be sidelined and watching everybody play, while you're stuck on the sideline."
Jenkins played sparingly in last Saturday's 27-3 loss to Florida. Jenkins estimated he played roughly 10 snaps, and he didn't see the field until Florida established a double-digit lead. On his Monday call-in show, Richt said Jenkins should be able to play against Kentucky.
Jenkins said the injury primarily affected his top-line speed, which was a concern with the coaching staff.
"I feel I can strike somebody and play the run well," Jenkins said. "It's certain situations, where if (Florida quarterback) Treon (Harris) would have got out and I would have taken off, coach didn't want to risk me tearing something more."
Michel to play despite fractured hand
Although he has a fractured bone in his right hand, Sony Michel plans to take the field Saturday afternoon against Kentucky.
The sophomore running back sustained the break on Georgia's first offensive play from scrimmage in last Saturday's 27-3 loss to Florida, which was out of the wildcat and picked up 27 yards. However, the run was called back due to a holding penalty. On Tuesday, he was sporting a cast on his right hand.
Michel is confident he'll be able to perform without limitations this weekend.
"I'm going to play. No excuses," Michel said. "Once I'm on the field, I'm on the field."
Michel had 13 carries for 45 yards against the Gators and has totaled 553 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season. He stepped into the No. 1 running back role after starter Nick Chubb went down for the year with a knee injury.
With the broken bone in his right hand, Michel said he'll carry the football primarily in his left hand and arm to be safe.
The running game, a strength to start the year, has struggled of late. The Bulldogs only tallied 69 rushing yards against the Gators. Michel said the Georgia players are mostly to blame for the recent woes.
"We just executed it better last year to be honest," Michel said. "It all comes down to execution, no matter what play is ran or what call is call. If you execute it the right way, whether they know it or not is coming."
This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Georgia yet to make a decision on who starts at QB against Kentucky ."