Blue Preview: Can Kentucky extend Vanderbilt’s SEC futility streak?

Mark Story



Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt

When: Noon, Saturday (Nov. 12).

TV: SEC Network.

Announcers: Play-by-play, Dave Neal; analysis, Deuce McAllister; sideline, Andraya Carter.

Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1.

Satellite Radio: XM Channel 192, Sirius Channel 133, Internet Channel 963

Records: Kentucky (6-3, 3-3 SEC); Vanderbilt (3-6, 0-5 SEC)

Series history: Kentucky leads 48-42-4 and has won seven of the past eight meetings

Most recent meeting: Kentucky rolled to a 34-17 victory over Vanderbilt on Nov. 13, 2021, in Nashville.

Line: Kentucky is favored by 17 points.

The story line

Coming off a tough — and fortunate — road victory at Missouri, Kentucky will go for its seventh win of 2023 vs. Vandy. If the Wildcats get it, it will be the sixth season with at least seven victories for UK Coach Mark Stoops. That would tie Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most such seasons by a Kentucky football coach. Vanderbilt will be seeking to snap a 26-game losing streak in SEC games. The Commodores last won a league game on Oct. 19, 2019, a 21-14 victory over Missouri in Nashville.

Kentucky linebacker Jordan Wright (15) celebrated after recovering a fumble during UK’s 21-14 win at Missouri last week. Going into Saturday’s game with Vanderbilt, the 6-foot-5, 231-pound super-senior leads the Wildcats in tackles for loss (7.5) and quarterback hurries (three).
Kentucky linebacker Jordan Wright (15) celebrated after recovering a fumble during UK’s 21-14 win at Missouri last week. Going into Saturday’s game with Vanderbilt, the 6-foot-5, 231-pound super-senior leads the Wildcats in tackles for loss (7.5) and quarterback hurries (three).

The number to watch

Kentucky’s total offense. Averaging 341.4 yards a game, UK is 14th of 14 Southeastern Conference teams in total offense. Giving up 472.9 yards and 36.78 points, the Vanderbilt defense is last in the SEC in both total defense and scoring defense. Who comes out ahead in the battle of the SEC’s last-place offense vs. the SEC’s last-place defense figures to decide the game.

Kentucky star running back Christopher Rodriguez (24) ran the ball past Vanderbilt safety Justin Harris (11) during UK’s 34-17 win over the Commodores last season in Nashville. In his Kentucky career, Rodriguez has run for 392 yards and five touchdowns against Vandy.
Kentucky star running back Christopher Rodriguez (24) ran the ball past Vanderbilt safety Justin Harris (11) during UK’s 34-17 win over the Commodores last season in Nashville. In his Kentucky career, Rodriguez has run for 392 yards and five touchdowns against Vandy.

The big threat

Ray Davis. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound senior running back, a transfer from Temple, averaged 8.4 yards a carry and ran for 167 yards in Vanderbilt’s 38-27 loss to South Carolina on Saturday night. For the season, Davis, a San Francisco product, has run for 731 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards a carry. A weapon in the passing game as well, Davis has caught 22 passes for 142 yards and three TDs.

Vanderbilt running back Ray Davis (2) has run for 731 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards a carry in 2022. A transfer from Temple, Davis has also caught 22 passes for 142 yards and three TDs.
Vanderbilt running back Ray Davis (2) has run for 731 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards a carry in 2022. A transfer from Temple, Davis has also caught 22 passes for 142 yards and three TDs.

On the spot

The Kentucky offensive line. After allowing six quarterback sacks and 11 tackles for loss to Missouri’s (very good) defensive front, UK now stands No. 128 (out of 131) in the FBS in sacks allowed (36) and No. 115 in tackles for loss allowed (69). It will be especially distressing if the Wildcats cannot keep a Vandy defense that is only No. 114 in the nation in sacks (13) out of the Kentucky offensive backfield.

From left, Kentucky offensive tackle Deondre Buford (56), guard Tashawn Manning (79), center Eli Cox (75) and guard Jager Burton (62) are part of an offensive line unit still struggling to find its footing in 2022.
From left, Kentucky offensive tackle Deondre Buford (56), guard Tashawn Manning (79), center Eli Cox (75) and guard Jager Burton (62) are part of an offensive line unit still struggling to find its footing in 2022.

The mood

Is blah. Kentucky’s win at Missouri made the Wildcats bowl-eligible for a seventh straight season. However, since the Big Blue Nation had its collective heart set on the Cats enjoying a “special season” in 2022, an ugly victory over Mizzou didn’t move the needle much. Vanderbilt is one of those games where the Wildcats winning won’t do much to animate the UK fan base, but a loss that snapped the Commodores’ 26-game SEC losing skid would be calamitous.

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