KSR Today: Kentucky prepares to open SEC play at Vandy

It’s (SEC) football time in the Bluegrass. No more sleepwalking through the non-conference schedule and pretending we enjoy staying up till 11 p.m. to watch Kentucky beat Akron on ESPNU. The real stuff is about to begin, the Wildcats traveling to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores to open the conference slate.

Kentucky opened as a two-score favorite with the line holding firm at -13.5 in favor of the Wildcats, the point total sitting at 50.5. Vanderbilt enters the matchup with a 2-2 record, coming off one-score losses at Wake Forest and UNLV. The Commodores did, however, beat the Cats in Lexington last season 24-21.

What do we need to know ahead of this matchup?

Mark Stoops: Kentucky is focused and well-prepared

It was a good week of practice, says Coach Stoops. Dealing with ups and downs through three games (and wins), the Wildcats are in a good headspace ahead of the SEC opener.

“I do like the way our team has prepared this week. I’ve felt like their attention to detail and their focus has been heightened a bit,” Stoops said Thursday. “I think they’re tired of leaving plays on the field. It’s not a matter of who we’re playing, it’s always a matter of us executing to the best of our ability.

“There’s been some really good things, and there’s been some sloppy play. I think the players have done a better job this week of really focusing and trying to improve.”

He added that Kentucky is in “decent shape” health-wise, his team up for the challenge of starting the season 4-0.

Vanderbilt goes with all-black uniforms

Their stadium may be a disaster right now, but the Commodores’ uniforms will look good, at least. Vanderbilt is rolling with black helmets, black jerseys and black pants with gold logos and numbers to open league play.

This weekend, we host Gold Star Families and honor the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers.

Saturday’s threads ⚫️⚫️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/CMiaAUJyVQ

— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) September 22, 2023

What will Kentucky be rocking in Nashville? We’ll find out later today.

Kentucky vs. Akron recap video

Need your football itch taken care of this morning? The UK video crew has you covered, releasing a behind-the-scenes look at Kentucky’s 35-3 victory over Akron.

Devin Smith to announce commitment

As the Wildcats prepare to open SEC play, could they be on the cusp of adding a huge piece for the future? Look no further than three-star linebacker Devin Smith, who is set to announce his college decision on Friday.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Brunswick (GA) High product will choose between Kentucky and LSU, with the Wildcats having a 91.5 percent chance of earning his commitment, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Smith is rated as the No. 615 overall high school senior and No. 62 linebacker in the country by the On3 Industry Ranking. He would be joining Kentucky’s recruiting class that is currently ranked No. 26 in the country following recent commitments from three-star EDGE Lorenzo Cowan and four-star brothers Jacob and Jerod Smith. Factor in the Wildcats trending for four-star EDGE Brian Robinson, who is set to announce his decision within the week, and Kentucky is sitting pretty in 2024.

Wan’Dale Robinson makes season debut with Giants

Tearing a torn ACL back in November 2022, former Wildcat Wan’Dale Robinson made his season debut with the New York Giants on Thursday.

How did he look? The second-round draft pick finished with four catches for 21 yards on five targets in a 30-12 loss to San Francisco. Clearly on a snap count, Robinson jumped out to a quick start with two catches on two snaps, including a crucial third-down conversion in the first quarter.

Wan’Dale Robinson hasn’t missed a beat. pic.twitter.com/zLyOPRDjve

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 22, 2023

And then he was nowhere to be seen until late in the second half, coming in with the game out of reach to pick up his next two catches and three targets.

Meanwhile, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones continues to be terrible, with the team’s offensive line somehow worse. Time to let Wan’Dale cook in the quick passing game. That’s New York’s only hope.

KSR Game of the Week heads to Boyle County

The top-ranked school in the state is set to be featured in the Kroger KSR Game of the Week, No. 1 Boyle County hosting Lexington Catholic at 7:30 p.m. ET. Led by head coach Justin Haddix, the Rebels sit comfortably at 5-0 on the year with wins over Gibson Southern (IN), Lexington Christian, Danville, Scott County and Taylor County — four being blowouts.

Mr. Football candidate Montavin Quisenberry leads BC with 427 combined yards and nine touchdowns on offense and defense to go with a kickoff return score and two interceptions. Avery Bodner and Sage Dawson are also playmakers for an offense averaging over 48 points per contest with a winning margin of 35 points per game.

As for LexCath, the Knights sit at 2-3 on the year with losses to Highlands, Corbin and LCA — a tough slate that isn’t getting any easier tonight. Quarterback Jackson Wasik leads the way with 1,099 passing yards and 12 touchdowns while Joaquin Pereira has added 269 yards and five scores on the ground. Jackson Kreutzer (272 yards, three touchdowns) and Sam Clements (271 yards, three touchdowns) are the standouts at receiver.

There have been some classics to open the Kroger KSR Game of the Week schedule. Tonight will be no different.

Other KHSAA games to watch

• No. 2 Corbin (4-0) at Hazard (1-4) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 3 St. Xavier (3-1) vs. No. 9 Louisville Trinity (2-3) – 8 p.m. ET
• Pleasure Ridge Park (3-2) at No. 4 Male (3-1) – 7 p.m. ET
• Cathedral (IN) at No. 5 Frederick Douglass (2-2) – 7 p.m. ET
• Holmes (0-5) at No. 6 Covington Catholic (5-0) – 7 p.m. ET
• Shawnee (2-3) at No. 7 Lexington Christian Academy (4-1) – 7:30 p.m. ET
• No. 8 DuPont Manual (5-0) at No. 10 Christian Academy-Louisville (4-1) – 7:30 p.m. ET

Let’s have a weekend, BBN.