Kentucky football (5-5, 2-5 SEC) will hit the road to take on No. 14 Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2 SEC) in its final SEC game of the season.
What to Watch-
Based on how the two programs started the season, this game seemed like it was going to be a laugher that meant absolutely nothing, but now it has turned into the most important game of the year for both teams.
Kentucky started the season 0-5 in the SEC and looked like they were heading to a disastrous season in Lexington.
That complexion has changed greatly over the past three weeks as the Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak and just one win away from bowl eligibility with two games on the road.
The home Commodores have charted just the opposite path as their Kentucky counterparts as they started the season rolling with three top 15 wins in their first four SEC games.
However, after getting to No. 9, Vanderbilt was upset by then No. 20 Texas 34-31.
The same fate almost happened a week later as Auburn forced overtime, but Vandy came out on top 45-38.
Despite the sputter, the Commodores had some extra time to prepare for the Wildcats as they are coming off a bye week entering this game.
The last time these two teams squared off was last season in Lexington, where Vanderbilt came out on top 20-13.
Since 2021, both teams have swapped wins in consecutive years despite the 2021 win for Kentucky now being vacated.
Offense-
Starting with the visiting Wildcats, Cutter Boley has emerged as one of the most promising quarterbacks in the SEC with his improving showing each Saturday he’s on the field.
On the season, the redshirt freshman has thrown for 1,780 yards and 13 touchdowns along with eight interceptions. Boley is also a threat with his legs and has accumulated 120 yards on the ground.
When it comes to the ground game, Seth McGowan has racked up 693 yards on the ground along with 12 touchdowns. The Wildcats do have a two-back system as Dante Dowdell has supplemented McGowan with his 528 yards and three touchdowns.
Kendrick Law has emerged as the dominant pass catcher for the offense as he’s accumulated 519 yards and three scores.
Hardley Gilmore IV has jumped out as another threat for Boley as he’s accounted for 232 and a touchdown.
Vanderbilt is led by Diego Pavia, who has made a name for himself and cemented the Vandy black and gold in the process.
Pavia has thrown for 2,440 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. The sixth-year senior has also rushed for 613 yards, which ranks 10th in the SEC amongst all rushers, and has scored seven rushing touchdowns.
The dual-threat quarterback leads the Commodores in rushing, but behind him is Sedrick Alexander, who has ran for 438 yards and eight touchdowns.
Trailing closely behind Alexander with 396 yards and five scores is Makhilyn Young.
Tight end Eli Stowers leads Vanderbilt pass catchers with 669 yards and four scores.
When it comes to wide receivers, the duo of Junior Sherrill and Tre Richardson have accumulated 470 and 445 yards respectively. Sherrill has caught six touchdowns this season, but Richardson has hauled in just two.
Looking at the overall offensive production, Kentucky is 11th in the SEC, averaging 363.8 yards per game. However, the Wildcats slide down one spot to 12th when it comes to points per game with 25.9.
Vanderbilt currently sits at sixth in the SEC with 443.6 yards per game, but improves to second in points per game with 38.3
Defense-
Along with the extra preparation, Vanderbilt will have a huge advantage in the injury department as Kentucky will be down several starters with even more questionable heading into game day.
Some of these starters already listed as out include Sam Greene, DJ Waller Jr., Nasir Addison and Jordan Lovett.
The list could get longer as both Alex Afari Jr. and Kahlil Saunders are listed as questionable along with Terhyon Nichols.
Looking at the numbers for both defenses, Kentucky is 10th in the SEC when it comes to yards allowed per game with 344.6 and ranks 11th in terms of points allowed per game with 23.1.
Vanderbilt is one spot behind Kentucky in yards allowed per game at 357.2, but is two spots ahead of the Wildcats in points allowed per game at 22.2.
What do the odds say?-
The all-time series between the two programs is rather tight, but Kentucky does hold the advantage as they have a 48-44-4 record over the Commodores.
According to ESPNBET, Vanderbilt is favored to win this matchup by 8.5 points and the ESPN matchup predictor gives the Cats a 23.5% chance to pull off the road upset.
Whether its playoff hopes or bowl edibility, either Kentucky or Vanderbilt will get one step closer to its goal when the two teams square off on Saturday, Nov. 22, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
