In preparation for Kentucky’s game against Vanderbilt this weekend, Saturday Down South is taking a look at a key matchup that may decide the showdown between the Wildcats and the Commodores.

Kentucky’s defensive tackles vs. Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb

Vanderbilt’s season did not begin the way head coach Derek Mason had hoped in his first season in Nashville, but one bright spot for the Commodores through four weeks has been freshman tailback Ralph Webb.

Webb is tied for sixth in the conference in rushing with 378 yards through four games, an average of more than 94 yards per contest. He’s posted those impressive numbers on an offense that has struggled mightily so far this season, ranking last in the conference in both total offense and scoring offense.

Without any sort of a threat through the air, or any other back to help balance the workload, Webb has done it all for the Commodores as they’ve tried to gain some traction this season. If the star freshman is able to find a rhythm early in a game, Vanderbilt’s chances of winning that game rise tremendously. However, if an opposing defense can shut Webb down in the first half and force Vanderbilt to throw the ball, it has a great chance of winning that matchup.

That’s exactly what the Kentucky Wildcats will aim to do in Saturday’s game, beginning with its collection of unproven defensive tackles. The Cats had to replace former starters Donte Rumph and Mister Cobble prior to the season, but newcomers Mike Douglas and Melvin Lewis have begun to find their way in recent weeks.

Kentucky has rotated a few guys through the lineup at defensive tackle, but Douglas and Lewis are the primary run-stoppers, while players like Regie Meant and C.J. Johnson play primarily on passing downs to help apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Cats’ opponents victimized them time and time again with the run through the first three weeks of the season, as UK ranks 13th out of 14 SEC teams in run defense, allowing more than 164 yards per game on the ground.

Lewis and Douglas have combined to make 17 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss this season, but they’ll need to put forth their best showing of the year against Webb and the Commodores’ offense if the Cats are to win as easily as most expect.

Vanderbilt has been at best unsure of its quarterbacks thus far, so shutting down Webb will be the key to shutting down the ‘Dores on Saturday. If the Cats do not eliminate Webb from the equation, it could be a long day for their defense in Lexington.