Kentucky at Vanderbilt: Preview, Spread, How To Watch, and More
With a combined seven non-conference games behind them, the Kentucky Wildcats (3-0, 0-0) and Vanderbilt Commodores (2-2, 0-0) are ready to begin Southeastern Conference play today at Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium. The SEC opener for both teams kicks off at 12 ET/11 CT in Nashville, where Big Blue Nation made its biennial trip to support the Wildcats in the Music City. Blue got in.
While we count down to kickoff, here is everything you need to know about Kentucky’s first conference game at Vanderbilt:
How To Watch/Listen
TV: SEC Network
Play-by-play: Taylor Zarzour
Analysis: Matt Stinchcomb
Sideline: Alyssa Lang
Streaming: WatchESPN
Radio: UK Sports Network | Statewide Affiliate Map
Play-by-play, Tom Leach
Analysis, Jeff Piecoro
Sideline, Dick Gabriel
Satellite Radio: Sirius 109 or 190
Join The Discussion (R.I.P. KSR Live Blog)
For the first time in over a decade, KSR will be without its in-game live blogs, a longtime tradition here on the blog. Unfortunately, the company that hosted the KSR live blogs no longer exists, so we are without the machine that made it all possible.
If you still want to interact with the KSR crew during the game, consider joining the conversation on KSBoard.
You can sound off about the game in the comments section below, too.
Schedules To Date
| KENTUCKY (3-0, 0-0) | VANDERBILT (2-2, 0-0) | |||||
| 0 | vs Hawaii | W | 35-28 | |||
| 1 | vs Ball State | W | 44-14 | vs Alabama A&M | W | 47-13 |
| 2 | vs EKU | W | 28-17 | @ Wake Forest | L | 36-20 |
| 3 | vs Akron | W | 35-3 | @ UNLV | L | 40-37 |
| 4 | @ Vanderbilt | vs Kentucky |
Kentucky and Vandy Depth Charts
KENTUCKY
VANDERBILT
Injury Report
Kentucky
— Kenneth Horsey is still out with a lower leg injury suffered in Game 1.
— After scoring his first touchdown, Josh Kattus went to the locker room late in last week’s game. His playing status is unclear.
Out for the season
OL – Ben Christman (RS So.)
OL – Nik Hall (RS Fr.)
DB – Jaremiah Anglin (Fr.)
Vanderbilt
— Starting right tackle Junior Uzebu is out
— Safety Savion Riley will miss his second straight game
— Cornerback BJ Anderson is questionable
— Safety Jaylen Mahoney is questionable
Five Pregame Storylines
Ray Davis vs. Vandy
The biggest storyline heading into today’s game is the return of Ray Davis to Nashville to play his old team. Before Davis became Kentucky’s starting running back, he starred in Vandy’s backfield, rushing for over 1,000 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. In Davis’ best game as a Commodore, he carried the ball 26 times for 129 yards and a touchdown in Vandy’s upset of Kentucky in Lexington. He transferred to Kentucky after the season, where he has five total touchdowns in his first three games.
Earlier this week, when asked about his Vandy homecoming, Davis reminded reporters in Lexington, “It’s not Ray Davis versus Vanderbilt. It’s Kentucky football versus Vanderbilt.”
Nashville Homecoming
Much has been made of Ray Davis’ return to Nashville, but the California native only lived there for two years of his life. Kentucky has other key players who were born and raised in the Nashville area, making their first returns home to play in front of friends and family.
Barion Brown won the 2021 Tennessee Titans Class 4A Mr. Football Award at Pearl-Cohn High School. The twins, Keaten and Destin Wade, were state champs and two-time state runner-up at Summit High School. Trevonn Rybka was a standout and four-star talent at nearby Dickson County High School. Two other products of Nashville, Shamar Porter and preferred walk-on Edric Simmons, are new to Lexington out of Tennessee.
Revenge Game
Last season, Vanderbilt stunned Kentucky in Lexington, winning outright as a 17-point road underdog in Kroger Field. The Wildcats had the win in reach until Vandy QB Mike Wright hit Will Sheppard for the go-ahead touchdown with 32 seconds to go, completing an 80-yard game-winning drive with under five minutes to go. Wright is now gone, but Sheppard is back and already has six touchdown catches this season.
Must-Win SEC Opener
Both teams are out to prove something in today’s game. For Kentucky, there were far too many mishaps and unforced errors in the first three weeks of the season. The Cats went undefeated in three non-conference games, but Mark Stoops and the program’s fan base expect to see a better product than what beat Ball State, EKU, and Akron. It’s the SEC opener and the fourth week of the season. Patience is running out.
For Vanderbilt, the Commodores are desperate for a win in the SEC opener. Vandy’s preseason was four games long (one against a Power 5 opponent), and two of them led the losses before league play. A loss against Kentucky would make three straight before the calendar turns to October.
Under Construction
The ongoing construction at Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium is a running joke this college football season. Blue still got in for some early tailgating.
Gamble
Point Spread: Kentucky -13.5
Over/Under: 50.5
Final Coaches Comments of the Week
Mark Stoops:
Clark Lea:
Pregame Link Dump
- Scouting Report: Vanderbilt (KSR+)
- Kentucky Football’s Goals vs. Vanderbilt
- 5 Things to Know About Vanderbilt
- Mark Stoops’ Monday Press Conference
- “11 Personnel” previews Kentucky-Vanderbilt
- KSR Football Podcast: Vanderbilt Week
- Mark Stoops and Clark Lea on the SEC Teleconference
- 3 Kentucky players to watch against Vanderbilt
3 Things 2 Watch
KSR’s Staff Predictions
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Go Cats
Beat Vandy
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