What the experts are saying about UK/Vandy
ESPN's Matchup Predictor (based on FPI): Vanderbilt
ESPN's Edward Aschoff
This game isn't on the national radar, but it's a game that could have major job implications on the line. Kentucky's Mark Stoops and Vandy's Derek Mason both enter the game 2-3, with their teams playing below expectations. Vandy can't throw the ball (league-worst 154.6 yards per game) and Kentucky can't stop anyone from throwing the ball (SEC-worst 269.4 yards per game). Both teams had bowl aspirations, but the loser will need a miracle to reach six wins this season.
ESPN: 3 pick Kentucky, 2 Vandy
CBS Sports' Chip Patterson: Vandy
Vanderbilt (+3) at Kentucky: One week after going toe-to-toe with Alabama(for a quarter, at least), here comes another hard-hitting defense. Vanderbilt should find Kentucky to be the friendliest defense they'll face in the division and Ralph Webb could have a big day. I like the Dores to not only cover but knock off the Wildcats on the road.
Pick: Commodores +3
247 Sports' Brad Crawford and JC Shurburtt: Kentucky
Shurburtt: The Wildcats get revenge on the Commodores, who beat them last season ...Kentucky 27, Vanderbilt 13.
Crawford: Vanderbilt's playing better, but Kentucky still has bowl hopes on its mind ...Kentucky 21, Vanderbilt 17.
Athlon Sports: Vanderbilt
As is the case with most Vanderbilt football games the past few years, this won’t be an exciting one to watch. With punts galore and very few red zone chances, this game could very easily finish with a combined score of fewer than 20 points. If Derek Mason makes similarly disastrous coaching decision to the ones he’s made in prior weeks, fans will surely be letting him hear it during the home game against Tennessee State the next weekend. He will have to be more aggressive in this game or else Kentucky QB Stephen Johnson and RB Stanley “Boom” Williams could take a late lead that ends up being insurmountable for the Commodores. Expect a heavy dose of running back Ralph Webb and enough of a ground attack to power the Commodores to their first road SEC win under Mason.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 13, Kentucky 10
My prediction? Kentucky 21, Vanderbilt 17, only because life will be too depressing if the Cats lose. You know, because this is the most important game of Mark Stoops' career. (You heard it here first.)
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