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

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Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks across the field before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kroger Field.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret, the Kentucky Wildcats have been disappointing this season. Entering the year with hopes of nine or even ten wins, Kentucky enters the regular season finale with six wins. However, they could salvage some positivity for the fanbase if they can retain the Governor’s Cup against Louisville.

As disappointing as things have been in Lexington this season, it has been quite the opposite for Louisville. Hiring former Cardinal quarterback Jeff Brohm to lead the program, the Cardinals have won ten games for the first time since 2013 in his first season. While they have taken nearly full advantage with an easy schedule, not playing a top-three ACC team in the regular season, the turnaround has been impressive.

That said, ten wins or a New Year’s Bowl is not their season goal, it is to beat Kentucky, something they haven’t done since 2017. In preparation of the game, Brohm has called the Kentucky game the “most important” game of the season, Brohm has called the Kentucky game the “most important” of the season.

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With Louisville having more to lose, let’s look at what Kentucky needs to do to play spoiler

Offensive Line

The Louisville defense’s strength is stopping in the run, ranking top 10 in the country in doing so, but also has one of the better pass rushes in the country. Meaning, that for Kentucky to have any offensive success the offensive line will have to provide good protection.

The Cardinals are more vulnerable against the pass, but Kentucky has failed to be consistent in the passing game this season. That said, the Wildcats are 13th in the country in rushing yards per attempt at 5.1 yards, but 129th in in rush attempts per game. A winning combination will be a mix of both, but as said, any offensive success will start in the trenches.

Will Kentucky come prepared?

At the end of a disappointing season, following a loss to a sub .500 South Carolina team, will Kentucky come out prepared? That is the worry. Kentucky has the talent to put up a fight, but they have the talent to win more than six or seven games this season, yet

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If you are hopeful, star defensive lineman Deon Walker went on a Louisville rant earlier this week. “I never liked Louisville even when I was getting recruited,” Walker said. “I just don’t like the Cardinals. Their fans are kind of snobbish and their players act entitled.”

If you are looking for reasons for skepticism, look no further than Ray Davis’s and Dane Key’s Twitter after the South Carolina loss. That was just a week ago. Can Mark Stoops and Co. regain the trust of the players in that span? Saturday will tell.

What is the difference between the ACC and SEC?

The SEC is the best conference in football, as shown by the sixteen championships since 2000. However, many just believe the conference is just top-heavy and carried by the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.

This is a contest against the top of the ACC and the middle of the SEC and should provide an example of the gap between the two conferences.

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Kentucky Wildcats (6-5) vs. #10 Louisville Cardinals (10-1)

  • Time: 12:00 pm ET on November 26th.
  • Location: L&N Federal Credit Union Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, KY
  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Online Stream: You can stream the game online using WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
  • Announcers: Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, and Katie George will call the action.
  • Live Blog
  • 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 | UofL
  • Stats To Know: UK | UofL
  • Advanced Stats
  • Covers.com Weather Forecast:
  • Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has Kentucky bet down to a 7.5-point underdog. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Cats a 1 in 4 chance of pulling off the win, at 25.7 percent.
  • PredictionsTeamRankings and DRatings.com have Louisville winning and retaking the Governer’s Cup with a 28-21 win. After losing to South Carolina and in the fashion in which they did, I just don’t see Kentucky beating a top 10 Lousiville team. For that reason, I pick Louisville to win 31-21.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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Thousands of Dollars in Theft Reported at Kentucky-Georgia Game

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During the Kentucky-Georgia football game, fans reported multiple vehicle break-ins amounting to thousands of dollars in stolen property.
Chet White | UK Athletics

While Kentucky was battling No. 1 Georgia in Kroger Field on Saturday, multiple fans had their vehicles broken into. Following the game, University of Kentucky police received multiple reports of break-ins.

According to WKYT, five vehicles were broken into during the game. Fans reported that windows were shattered and that purses, electronics, and debit cards were stolen. One of the victims, who made the trip to the game from Pennsylvania, claims that an estimated $7,000 worth of items were stolen from her truck while it was parked in the purple lot.

While UK police say they patrol lots during the game with bike officers, the victims say they did not see security after the game when they noticed shattered glass by their vehicles.

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UK Police Chief had this message for fans. “Lock your valuables up. Put them in an area, a trunk, or something people will not see very easily. Don’t leave them laying out. That’s going to make you an easy target.”

If you plan to attend Kentucky games this season, please be vigilant and store away and valuables to where they cannot be seen.

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Thirteen Players Listed on Kentucky Injury Report, Includes Brock Vandagriff and Maxwell Hairston

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Kentucky Wildcats struggled against South Carolina in a 31-6 loss, and so did quarterback Brock Vandagriff

Starting this season, the SEC implemented a new policy requiring teams to provide availability reports for conference games. The initial report is published on Wednesday and comes with daily updates, with the final report coming 90 minutes before kickoff. Players must listed as: out (0% chance to play), doubtful (25% chance to play), questionable (50% chance to play), or probable (75% chance to play),

Going up against No. 1 Georgia, the Wildcats had 13 players listed on this week’s report and will not be at full strength with several key names featured, starting with the quarterback.

After not being featured in the initial injury report, Vandagriff was listed as “probable” when it was updated on Thursday. No details of the injury have been reported, but after getting hit as much as he did last week against South Carolina, it is no surprise that he is a bit banged up. Listed as “probable”, he is likely to play.

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More concerning though is preseason All-American Maxwell Hairston and OL Gerald Mincey. Both were initially listed as probable, but were downgraded to questionable on Friday, with just a 50% chance to play on Saturday.

Looking at the rest of the report, many of the injures came during the offseason or fall camp. However, guard Jager Burton and running back Jason Patterson were added as “out” this week.

Georgia has four players out, including first-round prospect Mykel Williams.

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Kentucky QB Brock Vandagriff Ready to Take on His Former Team the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, “Welcoming the Challenge”

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Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff will have the opportunity to face his former team the Georgia Bulldogs, and make a statement.
Grace Smith-UK Athletics | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff is set to face off against his former team on Saturday, the Georgia Bulldogs. Competing against not just his former team, but also the No. 1 team in the country in his third career start is a tough task. However, he and the rest of the offense welcome the challenge.

“We’re welcoming the challenge,” Vandargriff said after practice on Wednesday. “At the end of the day, it’s the same game, the same rules, all that kind of stuff.”

Spending three years in Athens before transferring to Kentucky, the familiarity with the Georgia defense may provide some internal comfort for Vandagriff. The Bogart, Georgia native has had extensive practice reps against the stout defense, which has included 17 draft picks over the last three seasons. Similarly, that defensive unit has also defended against Vandagriff in practice.

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During his time as a Bulldog, Vandagriff was roommates with Chaz Chambliss, Cash Jones, and Brock Bowers and built lifetime friendships with them. “We called it the B’s and the C’s: me and Brock vs. Cash and Chaz,” Vandagriff said. Those relationships continue to this day with a group chat.

Vandragriff said he also still talks a lot with former teammate and Heisman candidate Carson Beck, valuing his friendship. When Beck was asked about Vandagriff earlier this week, he said, “I’ll probably give him a text this week.” Beck continued, “He’s a great friend of mine. Maybe not so much Saturday.”

Setting aside those relationships and making a crucial statement on the field will be key for Vandagriff on Saturday as a strong offensive showing can go a long way to reinvigorate the fanbase. You would have to believe that he relishes the opportunity to prove himself on a national level, against his former team.

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