Vanderbilt aims to ride momentum of Alabama upset into another SEC victory at well-rested Kentucky
Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) at Kentucky (3-2, 1-2), Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Kentucky by 13 1/2.
Series record: Kentucky leads 49-43-4.
What’s at stake?
A spot in the AP Top 25 is possibly on the line for the winner. Both Kentucky and Vanderbilt received votes for this week’s poll coming off big wins. Vanderbilt ended an 0-60 drought against AP top-five teams by upsetting top-ranked Alabama 40-35 last week. Kentucky is well-rested following an upset of then-No. 6 Mississippi on Sept. 28. The last time the Commodores won consecutive SEC games was in 2022 when they won at Kentucky, then beat Florida.
Key matchup
Vanderbilt’s offense might get a lot of attention thanks to the swagger and confidence of its quarterback. The Commodores’ 33.5-point average in SEC games ranks fourth, while their 37.6-point overall average stands fifth. The 40 points they hung on ‘Bama was their second-highest total this season. Ole Miss was Kentucky’s first opponent to surpass 300 yards (353), but the Wildcats held the nation’s top offense in scoring, yardage and passing to just 17 points and 262 yards passing.
Players to watch
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia. Not only does the reigning Conference USA offensive player of the year play with a big chip on his shoulder, he also imbues confidence in his teammates by finding the open receiver or crack to run through. Pavia is why Vanderbilt ranks 22nd nationally in scoring at 37.6 points a game. He completed 80% of his passes against the Tide for 252 yards and two TDs.
Kentucky WR Dane Key has caught 15 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown the past two games, including a career-high eight receptions for 105 with a score that helped the Wildcats beat Ole Miss. The junior from Lexington had a career-best 145 yards on seven catches in a 41-6 win over Ohio. Key’s team-high 369 yards on 23 catches rank seventh among SEC receivers and he’s ninth all-time in program history with 1,524.
Facts & figures
The visitor has won the past two meetings. Vanderbilt won 24-21 in Lexington in 2022. ... Vanderbilt held the ball for over 42 minutes against Alabama, had a season-high 26 first downs and converted 12 of 18 third downs. ... Eli Stowers, a converted quarterback, led the ‘Dores with six catches for 113 yards against Alabama and leads SEC tight ends with 333 yards receiving. ... Kentucky ILB D’Eryk Jackson has team highs of 26 tackles and made at least one stop while starting the past 27 of 28 contests. ... Barion Brown and Key have each surpassed 100 career catches this season.
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