KSR Today: Kentucky gears up for Ole Miss in Oxford

Non-conference play is over — well, minus that one game against that one team at the end of the schedule — and the bulk of conference play is here. Kentucky’s matchup at Ole Miss on Saturday marks the start of a seven-game SEC streak, and it’ll be a real test against a top-15 program in college football.

The Rebels enter the contest 4-0 with wins over Troy (28-10), Central Arkansas (59-3), Georgia Tech (42-0) and Tulsa (35-27), outscoring their opponents 164-40 on the year. It’s an offense that averages 488 yards (T-No. 20) and 41.0 points (No. 21) per game with 6.5 yards per play (T-No. 35) and a Red Zone touchdown rate of 90.5% (No. 3).

Quarterback Jaxson Dart leads the way with 697 yards (62.2%), five touchdowns and two interceptions, while also adding 201 rushing yards on 29 attempts (6.9 YPC). Elsewhere, running backs Quinshon Judkins and Zach Evans are one of the most electric one-two punches in college football, combining for 794 yards and nine touchdowns on 129 carries. The latter, though, is questionable with a hip injury, as is SMU transfer RB Ulysses Bentley IV (75 yards and four TDs on 14 carries).

Defensively, the Rebels allow just 10.0 points per game (No. 6), 4.2 yards per play (No. 11) and a 3rd/4th Down conversion rate of 35.6% (No. 34). It’s a unit with balanced production, with five different players racking up at least 20 tackles on the year, with an additional eight adding at least 10. Ole Miss has combined for 13 sacks, four interceptions and 19 pass deflections through four games.

Going into Saturday’s matchup, Vegas lists the Rebels as 7-point favorites with a point total set at 54 — a projected final score of 30.5-23.5. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Ole Miss a 78.5% chance to defeat Kentucky in Oxford.

Mark Stoops previews the matchup

Before boarding the plane to head to Oxford — actually Tupelo, an hour away from the stadium, the team revealed this week — Mark Stoops met with the media one final time on Thursday.

What does he think about the Rebels and how did this week of practice go? Stoops addressed those things, along with the play of kicker Matt Ruffolo, the return of Chris Rodriguez Jr. and offensive line production, among other topics.

Check out the head football coach’s comments below:

Pick 3, 11 Personnel and more KSR YouTube content

It’s a big weekend of college football and what better way to prepare for it all than by hearing the KSR crew break it all down?

Let’s start with ‘Pick 3,’ where Drew Franklin, Nick Roush and Adam Luckett present their three favorite picks against the spread in this weekend’s busy slate of games. What are the plays?

Speaking of Roush and Luckett, the football gurus put their heads together to preview Kentucky vs. Ole Miss in the latest edition of 11 Personnel.

What do they think of the Wildcats’ chances in Oxford?

Elsewhere, check out some of KSR’s other YouTube content from the week:

While you’re at it, do yourself a favor and subscribe to the channel. You know you want to.

J.J. Weaver expects to play vs. South Carolina

Kentucky standout pass rusher J.J. Weaver won’t be taking the field this weekend in Oxford, but that doesn’t mean a return to game action isn’t right around the corner.

After going down with a gruesome left elbow injury in the first series of Kentucky’s win over Youngstown State, the Louisville (Ky.) Moore product missed last week’s matchup against Northern Illinois and was deemed doubtful for Saturday’s game at Ole Miss. The plan, though, is for Weaver to return next week when South Carolina comes to Lexington.

“This is God’s plan, that’s what my mom told me. I’m in good spirits,” Weaver told Blue Chips on Thursday evening. “Hopefully I’ll come back next week. That’s my goal.”

In three games this season, Weaver has recorded 15 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 117 snaps. He’s racked up 11.5 non-sack tackles for loss and eight sacks in his career.

Kroger KSR Game of the Week heads to London

The Kroger KSR Game of the Week has already taken the KSR crew all across the state to open the high school football season — west to Mayfield, east to Pikeville and Jackson, along with stops in Louisville and Georgetown. This time around, though, KSR is traveling south to London, where Southwestern is set to take on North Laurel. 

It’s a battle of top-30 programs in the state, with Southwestern ranked No. 21 and North Laurel coming in at No. 27 overall in the KSR rankings.

The Southwestern Warriors are coached by Jason Foley and are a consistent presence in the 5A playoffs. Southwestern is 5-0 and coming off a 48-0 shutout win over Lincoln County. Quarterback Collin Burton has completed 33/44 passes for 543 yards and six touchdowns. Tanner Wright is the team’s leading rusher with 614 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lucas McKee and Maddox Mink have combined for 81 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 4 QB sacks.

As for the North Laurel Jaguars, they are coached by Jason Chappell and sit at 4-1 on the season competing in 5A. Quarterback Tucker Warren is completing nearly 50% of his passes for 611 yards and has thrown six touchdown passes. He’s also accumulated 352 yards on the ground and six more TDs. Ethan Gregory leads the team with 624 rushing yards and six scores. Jack Chappell is North Laurel’s top pass catcher after recording 17 receptions for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Clay Morris paces the defense with 51 tackles including 8 for loss and 5 quarterback sacks. 

KSR will be there to take it all in this evening.