Kentucky vs. Missouri: 3 Things 2 Watch 4

A pair of undefeated teams met their demise a week ago. Who will be able to bounce back? Kentucky has defeated Missouri in seven of the last eight meetings between the teams. If the Cats want to do something special this season, they must tame the Tigers at Kroger Field.

Kickoff: 7:30 pm EST
TV: SEC Network
FanDuel line: Kentucky -2.5, Total 50.5

Let Ray Davis Eat

Entering this matchup Luther Burden has received a ton of praise as the SEC’s most productive wide receiver. Meanwhile, the SEC’s most productive running back has been an afterthought.

Ray Davis has 12 total touchdowns, eight on the ground and four through the air, more than any non-QB in the SEC. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry and was not slowed down by the Georgia defense. However, the Dawgs pounced on the Cats so early, Kentucky had to abandon the ground game. Liam Coen must be able to utilize his offense’s best weapon for all four quarters.

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Will Brady keep Cooking?

Brady Cook was booed by his own fanbase a few weeks ago, yet he’s been one of the most accurate passers in all of college football. The Missouri quarterback attempted an SEC record 366 consecutive passes without an interception, a streak that ended last week against LSU. He’s completed 75% of his passes in SEC play and made 75 10+ yard throws this fall, the second-most in the league.

This week he is facing a pass defense that has been gashed at times, but is great at taking the ball away. Kentucky has tallied 10 turnovers in 2023, the second-most in the SEC. Five of those turnovers were created by first-year starting cornerback Max Hairston. Without Jalen Geiger in the lineup, the Cats might need a few more big plays from Hairston to turn the table on the Tigers.

Close Game vs. Road Game

Only once has Kentucky played within one score during the fourth quarter this season. That’s when EKU scored to make it a 21-17 game. This series has been defined by close calls, yet these Wildcats don’t have any experience overcoming adversity to win one of those this season.

The team on the other sideline is also facing a first. Mizzou’s only road game was to the Vanderbilt construction zone. After falling apart in the fourth quarter against LSU, the BBN can play a significant role in ensuring Eli Drinkwitz’s team falls apart in the middle of a sea of blue.

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