Dogs hoping to finally take East

ATHENS, Ga. - The Georgia Bulldogs realize how fortunate they are.

It's not often that a team will get not one, not two, but three chances to clinch a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game from the highly competitive East Division.

"We're so thankful," defensive end Quentin Moses said. "We know we're lucky to be put in this situation. Now, we've got to make the best of it."

The No. 14 Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2 SEC) were unbeaten three weeks ago, still a part of the national championship mix and poised to clinch the East. That all ended with a 14-10 loss to perennial nemesis Florida.

After an off week, Georgia caught a huge break when South Carolina knocked off the Gators. The Bulldogs couldn't take advantage, losing a 31-30 heartbreaker to Auburn later than night on a last-second field goal.

Will the third time be the charm?

It should be. Georgia hosts Kentucky (3-6, 2-4) today. The Bulldogs are heavily favored over the Wildcats, a program that has lost eight in a row to the Bulldogs.

A win means a trip to the championship game at the Georgia Dome on Dec. 3.

Then again, there's a bit of nervousness around Athens that a once-promising season could be on the verge of falling apart.

"We started out too good, we worked too hard to let this season slip away," Moses said. "We've got to finish strong and still try to make it a good year."

The normal powers in the East haven't stepped up to challenge the Bulldogs this season.

The Urban Meyer era got off to a rocky start at Florida, who has now lost three SEC games. Tennessee, a preseason top-5 team, is struggling just to become bowl eligible.

In fact, if the No. 14 Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2 SEC) blow another one today, Steve Spurrier and surprising South Carolina - the division's hottest team - would emerge from a three-way tie in the East to play in the title game.

For now, though, Georgia remains in control.

"If we were out of the SEC, it would hurt more," coach Mark Richt said. "Knowing we still have a chance to win the Eastern Division and compete for the SEC championship makes things a whole lot better. We still have something to fight for."