NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt begins a three-game stretch in the state of Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. Saturday when it welcomes in SEC East rival Kentucky.
The Commodores (2-7, 1-5 SEC) are coming off a 56-0 loss at Florida and are on a short, two-game losing streak.
Kentucky (4-5, 2-4 SEC) lost to Tennessee 17-13 last week and has dropped two of three. The Wildcats are also 0-3 away from home this season.
Here is more on how to tune in to Saturday’s contest as well as five key matchups to watch at Vanderbilt Stadium:
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Location: Vanderbilt Stadium
Television: SEC Network
Broadcast Crew: Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
Streaming: Available via the WatchESPN app
Radio: Vanderbilt radio network WLAC AM 1510 Nashville; SiriusXM 192 (Vanderbilt feed), SiriusXM 190 (Florida feed)
Weather: 52 degrees at kickoff, sunny, zero percent chance of rain
1. DON’T BOW DOWN TO BOWDEN
Kentucky’s offensive gameplan permeates from the No. 1 jersey in blue and white.
Junior Lynn Bowden, a wide receiver turned quarterback, ranks third nationally with 7.1 yards per carry and seventh nationally with 145.9 all-purpose yards per game. His ability to break a big play – or score – on any snap is what makes the Wildcats’ offense dynamic.
Vanderbilt is giving up 196.7 rushing yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry. The Commodores’ defense will have to figure out a way to corral Bowden which will help slow down the Kentucky rushing attack.
2. GET OFF THE FIELD!
What makes Kentucky’s offense hard to defend at times is its ability to get into third and fourth downs with manageable distances to gain for a first down.
The Wildcats have gone for it on fourth down 19 times this season. They also rank 24th nationally in time of possession by keeping the ball 32:16 per game.
Vandy has to not only force UK into third-and-long situations, but also get off the field in those situations.
3. FINDING SPACE IN THE AIR
Kentucky’s pass defense is one of the best units in the nation having allowed only 184.1 yards per game. Vanderbilt ranks 112th nationally with just 178.6 yards per contest through the air.
That matchup doesn’t bode well for the Commodores.
Vandy has to find a way to loosen the Wildcats’ defense by capitalizing when there is room to throw. The last two weeks Vanderbilt has combined to throw for only 153 yards.
4. RILED-UP FOR RILEY
The last two times Riley Neal took the field he led the Commodores on touchdown drives against Missouri and South Carolina, respectively. But the senior missed nearly all of the latter game with a concussion and didn’t suit up last week at Florida.
Now the Ball State graduate transfer is back and Vandy hopes his presence helps spark the offense. Neal is 6-for-12 for 91 yards in his last two outings.
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason earlier this week praised Neal for his ability to raise his game. He’ll need to raise it higher to lead the Dores to a victory.
5. WHEN THE BLUE IS IN THE RED, YOU’RE NOT QUITE DEAD
Much like Vanderbilt, Kentucky has found tough sledding on the offensive side of things at times. Even when the Cats get inside the 20 they’re scoring just 70.4 percent of the time.
In fact, the Wildcats were stopped at the goal line late last week in a 17-13 loss at home to Tennessee.
Vandy’s defense has been solid inside the 20 by giving up a score on just 79.5 percent of opportunities. It needs to make sure it bends without breaking Saturday.
