Football

Kentucky vs Ball State: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2023

Kentucky Wildcat football team celebrating in the endzone at Kroger Field.

UK Athletics

The last time the Kentucky Wildcats played on the football field, they put on a dismal showing against Iowa, losing in a 21-0 shutout in the Music City Bowl. That capped off what was overall a disappointing season, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

After nine long months, the Wildcats will have an opportunity to put a much better product on the field this season, starting with the Ball State Cardinals this Saturday.

Both teams are coming off of seasons that didn’t end well, losing four of their last six games, and are looking to improve this season. However, Kentucky has a clear talent advantage, which is why they are favored by nearly four touchdowns.

Given this is Week 1, there is a lot to be seen from each team. With that said, let’s preview the matchup.

Big Offensive Day

Bringing back Liam Coen as offensive coordinator, Kentucky is looking to rebuild an offense that finished last in the SEC a season ago. Combine Coen’s (re)addition with an overhauled offensive line, running back depth, a top transfer quarterback, and arguably the best-receiving core of the Mark Stoops era, and they are expected to do just that.

Looking at Ball State’s defense, they were average last season, ranking 70th in team defense and giving up nearly 400 yards per game. They do return a lot up front and have one of the best 1-2 linebackers punches in the MAC, in Clayton Coll and Cole Pearce. However, they did lose three pieces from the secondary to the NFL.

Given the level of competition, don’t expect to see Coen open up the playbook much, but there are a lot of new pieces, and there is a need to establish a foundation in a game. Look for players like Izayah Cummings and Tayvion Robinson, who are here to play for Coen, to get some targets early and get comfortable.

Also, this will be the first year since 2015 that there is no Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Benny Snell in the Kentucky backfield. The Wildcats do have depth and versatility at RB, highlighted by Vanderbilt transfer Ray Davis and NC State transfer Demie Sumo-Karngbaye.

Kentucky is also hoping to get good production out of fourth-year back JuTahn McClain and sixth-year back Ramon Jefferson coming off his ACL Tear.

Has the Offensive Line Improved?

One of the biggest questions for Kentucky Football coming into the season is, how improved is the offensive line? Allowing 47 sacks last year, 5th most in the FBS, the Wildcats clearly needed an overhaul, and they used the transfer portal to do just that. Bringing in five offensive linemen, headlined by OT Marques Cox, things should be better, but they have yet to be tested.

As said above, Ball State has experience on their D-line, returning every starter. The Cardinals will be at a size disadvantage, but they will be solid and should give Kentucky a baseline. Especially when considering Kentucky’s O-line struggles against inferior opponents early last season.

Set the Tone for the Season

Last year, Kentucky entered the season ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1978. The Wildcats were able to rise as high as 7th in the polls before injuries started to take a toll, which was compounded by scheme issues, specifically on offense.

This year, Mark Stoops and Co. are returning to much familiar territory, outside the Top 25, and have reestablished themselves in the “underdog” spot. At SEC Media Days, Kentucky was a team that was not talked about much, positively or negatively. Things have picked up of late in the eyes of some national analysts, such as Kirk Herbstreit and Josh Pate, who are expecting good things from the Wildcats.

Favored by 26.5 points, there are not a lot of expectations for Saturday. That said, with a fanbase hungry for positivity, if Kentucky can come out with a dominant and fun performance, they can capture the attention early and set the tone for the season. That will be needed with home games against the likes of Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee on the schedule.

Kentucky Wildcats (0-0) vs. Ball State Cardinals (0-0)

Time/Date: 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023
Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.
TV Channel: SEC Network
Online Stream: WatchESPN, ESPN+, SEC Network+, or the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | BSU

Odds: The DraftKings Sportsbook has Kentucky as a heavy 26.5-point favorite. ESPN’s matchup predictor has all the confidence in the Cats, giving them a 91.6% chance to win.

Predictions: TeamRankings has Kentucky coming away with a 38-10 win.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

Football

College Football 26: Kentucky Wildcats Roster Deep Dive

Published

44 minutes ago

July 9, 2025

Isaiah Pinto

EA Sports

EA Sports has released College Football 26, the second installment of a once-dormant NCAA Football series.

This is only the second time in EA Sports history that the for name, image and likeness are found in their college football games, which date back to 1993 with Bill Walsh College Football.

Athletes will receive at least $1,500 for their name, image and likeness depending on their school’s size. An increase from the original $600 given for College Football 25, and each athlete will receive a Deluxe Edition of the game, according to The Athletic.

Coaches had the option to opt-in to College Football 26 for the first time in series history.

Kentucky enters the game unranked as an 80 overall in Play Now with 80 offense, 78 defense and 78 special teams. In Dynasty mode, Kentucky was given three and a half stars out of five for program prestige.

Here’s an overview of the Wildcats player ratings according to EA Sports.

Top Rated Players by Overall:

Joshua Braun (LG) – 91

Dante Dowdell (HB) – 88

Seth McGowan (HB) – 86

David Gusta (DT) – 86

Jonquis Hardaway (CB) – 86

Josaih Hayes (DT) – 82

Quarterbacks:

Zach Calzada – 81

Cutter Boley – 73

Beau Allen – 73

Brennen Ward – 71

Ervin Barrett – 70

Halfbacks:

Dante Dowdell – 88

Seth McGowan – 86

Jamarion Wilcox – 84

Jason Patterson – 76

Tovani Mizell – 75

Reed Sperry (FB) – 68

Wide Receivers:

Kendrick Law – 83

Ja’Mori Maclin – 81

Tony Stellato – 80

Fred Farrier II – 77

J.J. Hester – 77

Ashton Cozart – 75

Lauren Zimmerman – 70

David Washington Jr. – 69

Hardley Gilmore IV – 68

Tight Ends:

Josh Kattus – 77

Elijah Brown – 77

Henry Boyer – 76

Willie Rodriguez – 73

Alex McLaughlin – 70

Kent Goff – 68

Mycheal Smart – 66

Offensive Line:

Joshua Braun (LG) – 91

Alex Wollschlaeger (RT) – 81

Shiyazh Pete (LT) – 81

Jager Burton (C) – 79

Jalen Farmer (RG) – 78

Noah Harding (LG) – 75

Malachi Wood (RT) – 73

Evan Wibberley (C) – 73

Hayes Johnson (LT) – 72

Darrin Strey (RT) – 72

Aba Selm (RG) – 70

Rob Folger (LT) – 69

Shane Barnwell (LT) – 69

Ryan Blackburn-Gorman (LT) – 68

Cameron Jones (LT) – 68

Defensive Line:

David Gusta (DT) – 86

Josaih Hayes (DT) – 82

Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace (LE) – 80

Kahlil Saunders (RE) – 78

Brian Robinson (LE) – 75

Darwin Sanders (RE) – 74

Austin Ramsey (DT) – 74

Jerod Smith II (LE) – 74

Tavion Gadson (LT) – 74

Kalen Edwards (DT) – 74

Henry Smith-Randall (LE) – 72

Jaden Williams (RE) – 72

Steven Soles Jr. (LE) – 72

Jacob Smith (RE) – 71

Linebackers:

Alex Afari Jr (MLB) – 76

Daveren Rayner (ROLB) – 76

Kameron Olds (LOLB) – 75

Sam Greene (LOLB) – 75

Landyn Watson (MLB) – 74

Grant Godfrey (ROLB) – 68

Devin Smith (MLB) – 67

Quintavion Norman (ROLB) – 67

J.J. Levin (LOLB) – 65

Lorenzo Cowan (LOLB) – 64

Cornerbacks:

Jonquis Hardaway – 86

Jantzen Dunn – 77

Quay’sheed Scott – 76

Terhyon Nichols – 75

Jonathon Gates – 67

Kevis Thomas – 71

Ali Robinson-Gage – 71

Nasir Addison – 70

Safeties:

Jordan Lovett (FS) – 81

Ty Bryant (SS) – 77

D.J. Maddox (SS) – 76

Cam Dooley (FS) – 74

Dyllon Williams (SS) – 70

Jaden Smith (FS) – 69

Sebastian Thompson (FS) – 68

Jackson Schultz (SS) – 63

Special Teams:

Aidan Laros (P) – 77

Jacob Kauwe (K) – 69

Prior to its July 10 official launch, EA announced the top 100 players.

The Wildcats were represented by Braun at No. 85, as he’s one of the highest-ranked offensive lineman.

Additionally, Law was tied with Georgia wideout Zachariah Branch with the fourth-highest speed rating at a 97 overall. Former Wildcat wideout Barion Brown was tied for the top spot at 99 overall speed alongside three others.

Lastly, Laros, Kentucky’s punter made waves on social media for having zero toughness rating making him the only player in a game without any toughness.

College Football 26 is available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for $69.99 and will officially release worldwide on July 10.

All of the Wildcats ratings can be found here.

Football

First Look at the Kentucky Wildcats in Brand New College Football Video Game

Published

2 days ago

July 7, 2025

Kai McClelland

UK Athletics

After a decade-long hiatus, a NCAA college football video game resurfaced last July, sparking many to praise the return of a popular and impactful series.

While many enjoyed having the legendary dynasty modes back and rebuilding their favorite teams, speculation about the games’ actual gameplay features caught the eye of many enjoyers.

EA Sports College Football 25 did not feature coaches’ face scans and were missing from the game entirely, and for a while before a game update, many stadium and player features were not included upon release, such as correct hair color and styles, pyro and fireworks after touchdowns and a variety of proper fan movement.

Should players be this picky? That’s always up for debate and depending on exactly who you ask, but at the bare minimum, we offer an exclusive look at the improvements that EA has made to this year’s brand new game, and rest assured, it gives those motivated Kentucky fans something to look forward to.

Seen below is head coach Mark Stoops and his initial face and body scan that will be in the game upon the July 7 early-release date.

Mark Stoops in College Football 26. pic.twitter.com/aEgTlBzZBr— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) July 4, 2025

We also had a chance to see the Wildcats’ entrance onto the field, both for a day and a night game.

Kentucky Football day and night entrances in College Football 26. pic.twitter.com/uMMa7BzPz0— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) July 4, 2025

Regardless, when the game comes out, we’ll be able to really get a feel for how motivated EA was when improving their game over this past year. Until then, Big Blue Nation, watch your watch and be ready to play.

The early-release date for those who pre-ordered the game is set for 12:00 p.m. ET on July 7, while the full game releases globally on July 10.

Football

Four-Star Auburn WR Commit Denairius Gray Flips to Kentucky

The South Florida standout becomes UK’s top-ranked commit in the 2026 class after visiting Lexington in June.

Published

1 week ago

July 1, 2025

Ali Cetinok

UK Athletics

Four-star Auburn wide receiver commit Denairius Gray flipped to Kentucky on Tuesday, according to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 178 pounds, Gray is ranked as the No. 67 wide receiver and No. 52 player from Florida. He is considered a four-star recruit and is ranked No. 302 overall in the 2026 class.

Gray had been committed to Hugh Freeze’s program since January 2024. He took official visits to Washington, NC State and fellow SEC foe Ole Miss before visiting Lexington in early June.

Hailing from Boynton Beach in South Florida, Gray plays high school ball at Chaminade-Madonna Prep. As a junior last season, he recorded 48 receptions for 709 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He is now Kentucky’s highest-ranked commit and the fourth wide receiver in its 2026 class.