What we know heading into Kentucky vs. Southern Miss

Another college football season starts now. On Saturday night at Kroger Field, Mark Stoops and his 12th Kentucky football team will begin the 2024 campaign facing a Sun Belt foe picked to finish near the bottom of their conference. Some big SEC tests are right around the corner but we should learn something about Kentucky on Saturday.

Now it’s time to set the table and recap our first on many game weeks. KSR is taking a look back and recapping what we learned this week heading into the first of four non-conference contests for the Wildcats.

Kentucky’s offensive line will be challenged

Kentucky has talked all offseason about needing improved play from the offensive line. Mark Stoops made a big move when he brought Eric Wolford back to Lexington. With one of the most experienced units in college football, this position needs to play well for Kentucky.

The group will get a good test early. The defensive front is the strongest unit on the Southern Miss team and I’m not sure it’s even close.

Brodarius Lewis and Demeco Roland are former junior college transfers who form a terrific duo at nose tackle. Jalil Clemons gives the unit some pop as an edge rusher. Jalen Williams is a former junior college and Arkansas transfer who led the unit in tackles (47) last year. Kristin Booth (6-3, 260, Super) is a three-year starter at defensive end.

Southern Miss has good size, experience, depth, and potential star power on the defensive front. Kentucky enters the game with some big unknowns in the traditional run game. The Golden Eagles could give them some problems. If Kentucky is able to reset the line of scrimmage that would be a very good sign.

Kentucky has a massive line of scrimmage advantage on the other side

Southern Miss returns only one starter on the offensive line from last season. The Golden Eagles added a South Alabama transfer and a junior college transfer to fill holes. The offensive line enters the season as perhaps the biggest weakness on this team.

That group will face off against the biggest strength on Kentucky’s team. The Wildcats figure to have a huge edge when Deone Walker and the rest of the defensive front is on the turf at Kroger Field.

Under new offensive coordinator Chip Long, Southern Miss will have an offense that looks similar to Kentucky’s. The Golden Eagles want to have balance but establishing the run will be important. That should be hard to accomplish and could make this Sun Belt offense extremely one-dimensional quickly in this ballgame.

Kentucky could post some big passing game numbers

Brock Vandagriff is making his first career start at quarterback. Bush Hamdan is entering his first game as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator. The Wildcats have multiple first-year transfers in the starting lineup. Despite that, there will be a big opportunity for this passing game.

Southern Miss had some woeful pass defense numbers last season and is breaking in a new defensive coordinator plus a bunch of new starters. There are multiple defensive backs making position changes and will be playing a new spot for the first time. The Wildcats should be able to find some holes in coverage.

We all know that Kentucky wants to run the ball with efficiency, but there will be some explosive plays available. Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Ja’Mori Maclin could all make the highlight reel on Saturday night.

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You can also keep up with the game and chat with other fans on our game thread on KSBoard, with Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, and Drew Franklin providing updates from Kroger Field and the rest of us from our couches at home. Join the party maximize your UK sports coverage in the most ridiculous manner possible.