Previewing Saturday’s matchup between Vanderbilt and No. 14 Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
History Lesson: Vanderbilt trails in the all-time series with Kentucky 42-44-4. In the series’ last meeting in Lexington in 2016, the Wildcats escaped with a close 20-13 win.
Names to Watch: (Kentucky):
RB Benny Snell
The ‘Cats’ junior rusher is among the most productive running backs in the country. Snell ranks first in the SEC in rushing yards per game (117.5) and has added eight touchdowns on the ground. He has surpassed the 100-yard plateau three times this season, and he nearly did it a fourth time with a 99-yard outing vs. South Carolina.
S Mike Edwards
Edwards was a First Team All-SEC pick last season as a junior and has nine career interceptions to his name. Edwards needs just 31 tackles this season to hit 300 stops for his career.
LB Josh Allen
Allen is one of the more threatening pass-rushers in the entire country. The senior linebacker ranks top-10 nationally in both tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (six) for Kentucky.
The Statistical
13.8
Points allowed per game by Kentucky’s defense, a number that ranks No. 4 nationally. Coach Mark Stoops’ defense has given up 20 points only twice this season, including once in a 20-14 overtime loss to Texas A&M on Oct. 6.
18
Total tackles for senior linebacker Jordan Griffin vs. Florida, a new career-high. Griffin amassed 13 of those stops in the first half, and his 18 total tackles were the most by a Commodore since All-American Zach Cunningham registered 19 in a 2016 win vs. Georgia.
12
Third-down conversions allowed by Vanderbilt last week against Florida. The Gators finished 12-of-19 on third down and 3-of-3 on fourth down. In the end, Florida ran 92 plays, the most given up by the Commodores this season.
The Big Question: Can Vanderbilt stop the run? Last season, Snell ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns vs. Vanderbilt, and the Wildcats totaled 232 rushing yards in a 44-21 win. With Snell once again hitting his stride in the SEC, the Commodores can’t afford to let the junior gash them up front.
Vanderbilt Needs To: Put the game on Terry Wilson’s shoulders. Kentucky’s sophomore quarterback has not had to win games on his own this year with Snell in tow. However, Texas A&M limited Snell to a season-low 60 yards in the Aggies’ 20-14 win earlier this fall, and Wilson’s efforts weren’t enough as UK recorded just 178 yards of offense in that game. If Vanderbilt keeps Snell at bay, it can return to Nashville with a big SEC win – and some much-needed momentum.
Did You Know? Kentucky is 5-1 and coming off a bye week ahead of its matchup with Vanderbilt. Last season, the Wildcats were also 5-1 off a bye week prior to a matchup with Mississippi State. The Bulldogs went on to beat Kentucky, 45-7.
He Said It: “It’s always tough, going on the road and trying to steal a W in someone else’s house. Coach Mason always tells us we’ve got to pack our defense and take the offense on the road to score points.” –Vanderbilt wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.
