Connect with us

Football

Kentucky vs. Alabama: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

Published

1 year ago

on

© Matt Stone/Louisville Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

The last time the Kentucky Wildcats and Alabama Crimson Tide met at Kroger Field was back in 2013, the first year of the Mark Stoops era and when it was still called Commonwealth Stadium. Playing the eventual national champion with a largely inherited team, it is no surprise that Alabama won 48-7 in the one-sided contest.

In the years since that game, Stoops and Co have vastly improved the talent level and made Kentucky Football a much more respected program within the SEC and nationally. However, that has not equated to success against Alabama. In the two matchups since 2013 (2016 and 2020), which have both been played in Tuscaloosa, Kentucky has failed to even score a touchdown. This Saturday, they will have the opportunity to change that.

While still more talented than Kentucky this season, Alabama is not as strong as they have been in years past, struggling with teams like Arkansas and Texas A&M. That said, could this be a year where Kentucky can be competitive?

Advertisement

It could, but it will still be a tough task. Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Throw the First Punch

When Kentucky played Georgia earlier this season, the Wildcat defense allowed a quick score to the Bulldogs. However, upon receiving the ball, Kentucky was pushing downfield effectively and efficiently to answer. However, that drive was abruptly ended in part due to an unforced personal foul penalty. Following that, things compounded, leading Kentucky to lose any chance of control and all momentum.

Kentucky doesn’t have an offense that can fight back from multiple scores. With a home-field advantage and a sold-out Kroger Field crowd, Kentucky’s best chance is to strike early and consistently carry that momentum.

Force Jalen Milroe to Pass

For much of the season, Alabama’s biggest weakness has been their quarterback play, with the inconsistent play of starter Jalen Milroe. However, they just outgunned the best offense in the country in LSU. “They’ve sort of found their identity,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White said.

Advertisement

That identity is largely made up of running the ball, ranking top 15 in rush play percentage and bottom 15 in pass play percentage. Fortunately, stopping the run has been a strength of Kentucky’s. On that same note, Kentucky has only played against two top-50 rushing offenses in Georgia (46th) and Tennessee (3rd), giving up their highest rushing totals of the season.

Against LSU, Alabama put up a season-high 288 rushing yards, with 155 coming from Jalen Milroe. That also allowed him to be able to pass the ball effectively, throwing for 219 yards. His versatility is his strength, but if Kentucky’s front seven can keep Milroe in the pocket, forcing him to be one-dimensional and throw, Kentucky may me able to slow down the Alabama offense for a chance of an upset.

Coaching Matchup

One of the largest sources of frustration in recent seasons has been a lack of execution and discipline, and that comes down to the coaching. Going up against arguably the greatest college football coach ever in Nick Saban, no one expects Stoops to outcoach him.

That said Stoops and the rest of the staff are more than capable of putting Kentucky in a position to be competitive. If they can accomplish that, showing an improvement from earlier this season, many fans will be satisfied even in a loss.

Advertisement

Kentucky Wildcats (6-3, 3-3 SEC) vs. No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC)

  • Time/Date: 12:00 pm ET on November 11th, 2023
  • Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, KY
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Announcers: Joe Tessitore, Jordan Rodgers, Katie George
  • Online Stream: WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
  • Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
  • Satellite Radio: XM Channel 203, Sirius Channel 98, Internet Channel 966
  • Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
  • Rosters: UK | BAMA
  • Stats To Know: UK | BAMA
  • Covers.com Weather Forecast
  • Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has Alabama listed as an 11-point favorite. ESPN’s matchup predictor has Kentucky as a big underdog, giving the Wildcats just a 14.3% chance to win.
  • Predictions: TeamRankings has Alabama coming away with a 28-17 win, with DRatings.com picking a similar outcome, with a 31-18 victory for the Crimson Tide. A win over Alabama would be the best win of the Stoops era, but they just have those elite playmakers that Kentucky doesn’t have many of. For that reason, along with their stout defense, I predict Alabama to win 30-14.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Football

Louisville Football Player Charged With First-Degree Strangulation, Days After Committing Game Losing Personal Foul

Published

4 days ago

on

November 18, 2024

By

Louisville Cardinals defensive back Tayon Holloway (20) reacts to his defensive play.
Eric Canha | Imagn

On Monday, Louisville football defensive back Tayon Holloway was detained and charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault.

This comes just days after the former four-star prospect committed a costly personal foul to put a 2-7 Stanford team in field goal range and upset Louosillve 38-35 with a walk-off field goal.

As expected, Holloway has been indefinitely suspended from the team.

Advertisement

“The University of Louisville is aware of the arrest of football student-athlete Tayon Holloway,” the university said in a statement. “As we gather more information, Tayon has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities.”

Things Cardinals seem to be in a downward trend as the Commonwealth Cup nears, November 30th.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Kentucky snaps four game losing streak defeats Murray State 48-6

Published

6 days ago

on

November 16, 2024

By

Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops talking to Murray State football coach Jody Wright.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Kentucky gets a much-needed victory over Murray St 48-6 to snap its four-game losing Streak. Brock Vandagriff led the way for the Cats, going 12-19 for 183 passing yards and two touchdown passes to Hardley Gilmore IV and Ja’Mori Maclin. 48 Points is the most points Kentucky has scored in a game since 2021 when the Cats scored 51 points against Louisville.

The defense held Murray St. without a touchdown. For the second time this season, Kentucky’s defense has held an opponent without a touchdown.

Freshman Standout today:

Advertisement

For the second time this season, Kentucky breaks the 40-point mark as three freshmen make impacts for Kentucky. Jamarion Wilcox had 13 carries and 124 yards with a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Receiver Hardley Gilmore IV had two receptions for 72 yards and caught the 52-yard touchdown pass from Brock Vandagriff on the game-opening drive.

Four-star quarterback Cutter Boley started the second half for the Cats, going 10-14 and passing for 130 yards with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, both touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.

Defense Bounces Back:

Advertisement

After giving up over 475 yards of total offense each of the last three games, Kentucky’s defense holds Murray State to 256 total yards of offense while also having three takeaways from the Murray State offense

Defensive Lineman Tre’vonn Rybka led the way for the defense with five tackles and the only sack of the game for Kentucky’s defense. Jordan Lovett had two takeaways in the first half for Kentucky and one in the red zone in the second quarter. Jackson Schultz had the final takeaway, picking off Jim Ogle’s pass late in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

With the win today over Murray St., Kentucky moves to 4-6 (1-6 SEC) with two games remaining. They look to keep their bowl eligibility alive as they travel to Austin, Texas, and face the No. 3 ranked Texas Longhorns at 3:30 pm on ABC. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Mark Stoops Responds to Retirement Rumors, “Zero Percent Chance I Do That”

Published

2 weeks ago

on

November 11, 2024

By

Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops responds to retirement rumors amidst disappointing season. "Zero percent chance I do that."
Jordan Prather | Imagn

To say there is unrest in the Kentucky Football fanbase would be an understatement. With a 3-6 record overall, and 1-6 in the SEC (15th out of 16) things look bleak, and there is still a quarter of the season to go. Considering the regression from the previous two seasons as well, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the future.

Over the last few weeks, rumors have circled that head coach Mark Stoops has considered retiring at the end of the season. Optics wise it makes sense, his older brother Bob Stoops surprisingly retired from Oklahoma at just 56, and Mark, now 57, has expressed a desire to spend more time with his children.

At his weekly press conference, Stoops was asked directly if there is any chance that he would walk away from Kentucky and retire at the season. To which he responded, bluntly:

Advertisement

“Zero percent chance I do that. Next question.”

Mark Stoops is still owed more than $44 million on his contract. That’s A LOT of money to leave on the table and is the reason that the decision will be Stoops’ to make, as Kentucky cannot afford the buyout.

If Stoops holds true to his word and returns next season, NIL fundraising efforts may be the most difficult it has been for him. However, he hopes it sparks motivation to donate.

“I’ve seen it at other SEC schools,” Stoops said. “I want to stay away from that. I really get tired of — I don’t want to be like I am whining, I am crying. It is reality. You have to have dollars.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending