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

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1 year ago

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© 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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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3 days ago

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November 11, 2024

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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:

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“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.”

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National College Football Personality Calls Out Kentucky Football Program, “They’re Spiraling Out of Control”

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1 week ago

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November 4, 2024

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College football personality Paul Finebaum calls out Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats for poor season. "They're spiraling out of control."
Saul Young | Imagn

From hope to despair, that has been the tale of the 2024 Kentucky football season.

Entering the season with what many believed was one of Mark Stoops’ most talented rosters, at least on paper, to a 1-6 record in the SEC and most likely missing a bowl game for the first time since 2015.

“Kentucky seems like they’re spiraling out of control,” longtime SEC radio personality Paul Finebaum said this weekend.

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Yet, it’s not just this season. The regression has been apparent since Kentucky won 10 games in 2021. Rather than taking the next step, the program seems to have taken two steps back. They are just 4-7 against Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, all programs that Kentucky was consistently beating. Even more embarrassing, they are just  2-11 in its last 13 SEC home games.

“I know some people have blamed it on injuries,” Finebaum said. “But, I don’t go that way. I just think there’s a malaise in that program that’s been there for almost two years. I’m not overly optimistic it’s going to be corrected.”

You can call Mark Stoops a victim of his own success, but in the last three seasons he has not met the expectations that he has set, nor the potential that his rosters have had.

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Grammy Nominated Music Star Has Credit Card Stolen, Thief Buys 15 Hotdogs at Kentucky Football Game

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2 weeks ago

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October 28, 2024

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A Kentucky football fan stole music artist Noah Kahan's wallet at an airport and purchased 15 overpriced hot dogs.
Piet Levy | Imagn

Not a lot of good things came from Kentucky’s 24-10 loss to Auburn on Saturday, but one fan did get FIFTEEN (yes, 1-5) hot dogs courtesy of Grammy-nominated folk-pop artist Noah Kahan.

To clarify it was not a gift, rather the fan stole Kahan’s wallet at Laguardia Airport in New York City. Of all the places for it to venture to, it was Kroger Field.

“The guy who took my wallet went to a Kentucky football game last night,” Kahan shared on social media. “I just know that Mofo bought 15 overpriced hot dogs.”

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Kahan has found comedy in the situation, despite having hundreds of dollars in hot dogs purchased on his dime.

“Come on dawg we gotta be collaborative in our spending!! Check with me first,” Kahan shared.

Kahan headlined Railbird Music Festival in Lexington this past summer. Maybe the next time he is in town, he can get a hot dog of his own.

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