NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt heads to Kentucky on Saturday to start the second half of a 10-game, SEC-only schedule. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT at Kroger Field and the contest will be televised live by the SEC Network.
Vandy is coming off a 24-17 loss at Mississippi State in which it totaled 478 yards of total offense and got big performances from running back Keyon Henry-Brooks and wide receiver Cam Johnson, but turned the ball over five times.
Kentucky (2-4, 2-4 SEC) is coming off a scheduled bye week and two consecutive losses to Missouri and Georgia, respectively. The Wildcats mustered 13 points combined in those two defeats.
Vanderbilt and Kentucky will face each other for the 93rd time with Kentucky holding a 46-42-4 series advantage. Vandy has played only two other schools — Tennessee and Ole Miss — more than Kentucky.
Vanderbilt is looking for its first victory in the rivalry since 2015 and first win in Lexington since 2012. The two programs have met annually since 1953.
Here is more on how to watch, listen to and follow Saturday’s contest as well as five key matchups at when the Commodores (0-5, 0-5 SEC) face the Wildcats:
When: 11 a.m. CT Saturday
Location: Kroger field
Television: SEC Network
Broadcast Crew
Dave Neal (play-by-play), DJ Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
Channel Finder
AT&T | Xfinity | DISH | Comcast
Streaming
Vanderbilt IMG Sports Network
Announcers: Joe Fisher (play-by-play), Norman Jordan (analyst), Kevin Ingram (sideline)
On-Air Time: 11 a.m. CT
Pregame Show: 10 a.m. CT
Affiliates: WQZQ 830 AM, 93.3 FM, 101.9 Nashville; WNSR 560 AM, 59.9 FM Nashville; WALV 105.1 FM Chattanooga; WEKR 1240 AM Fayetteville; WJJM 1490 AM, 94.3 FM Lewisburg; WMPS 1210 AM, 103.1 FM Memphis; KASR 92.7 FM Conway, Arkansas
Satellite
SiriusXM: 386
SiriusXM online: 976
Streaming Apps
Multimedia
Twitter: @VandyFootball and @VandyNotes
Instagram: @VandyFootball
Facebook: Vanderbilt Athletics
Game day hashtag: #RTI | #ANCHORDOWN
Weather
50 degrees at kickoff, 10 percent chance of rain
1. GET OFF THE FIELD
Kentucky has become quite the powerful rushing attack under head coach Mark Stoops and offensive coordinator Eddie Gran. That hasn’t changed much so far in 2020.
The Wildcats keep it on the ground about 64 percent of the time when on offense and have averaged 176.2 yards per game on the ground. Kentucky also keeps possession for 30:36 on average.
It will be of utmost important for the Vanderbilt defense to both contain and stop the Kentucky rushing attack. Forcing the Wildcats into passing situations on third downs and then coming up with stops on those third downs will be key.
Last week at Mississippi State, the Commodores held on third down 9 out of 13 times.
2. PROTECT THE PIGSKIN
Turnovers had been an issue for Vanderbilt going into last week’s contest. Then they became a major issue.
Five giveaways became one of the biggest reasons the Commodores fell 24-17. Quarterback Ken Seals threw three interceptions – one in the end zone going in – and lost a fumble.
That trend doesn’t bode well for the visitors Saturday, when facing a Kentucky defense that has 12 takeaways in six games – the second-most in the SEC. Eleven of those takeaways have come via interception. Cornerback Kelvin Joseph and linebacker Jamin Davis have combined to total five picks.
Vanderbilt has turned the ball over at least two times in every game this season.
3. THERE ARE NO FLAGS ON THE FIELD
Both Kentucky and Vanderbilt rank among the top 20 in college football in fewest penalties per game. The Commodores average just less than five flags per contest and the Wildcats lead the SEC with 3.8 infraction per game.
In a game expected to be close in the end, playing a clean game of football could turn out to be the difference between the two sides.
4. MAKE KENTUCKY BLUE IN THE RED ZONE
Vanderbilt’s red zone struggles have been well documented, and although the Dores have been better the past two weeks (3 of 4), a turnover inside the 20 at Mississippi State turned out to be a major play over the course of a full 60 minutes.
Seals and the Vandy offense have to continue to figure out a way to make opponents blue when red zone opportunities arise. But Kentucky poses a really tough challenge in that area as it leads the SEC in red zone defense by stopping the opposition 63.6 percent of the time.
If the Commodores are able to move inside the 20, coming away with points on those possessions once again will hold extra importance this Saturday.
5. ESPECIALLY SPECIAL TEAMS
Vanderbilt has only made two of the six field goals it has attempted in 2020. Kentucky’s Matt Ruffalo has converted on five of his six attempts.
Whichever team’s kicking game can convert Saturday will be key. Vandy needs kickers Pierson Cooke and Wes Farley to come through in a big way if the Commodores are to find their first win of 2020.
Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com. Follow him @MrChadBishop.
