Using ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) as a guide, Kentucky (2-1, 0-1) has an 89.7 percent chance to beat Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2) on Saturday.

KENTUCKY CANNOT ALLOW VANDY QUARTERBACK(S) TO GET COMFORTABLE

The Kentucky Wildcats have lost 17 straight SEC contests since the start of the 2012 season, but that didn’t deter the FPI from giving Kentucky an 89.7 percent chance to beat fellow SEC East foe Vanderbilt on Saturday.

The Commodores’ boast a promising rushing attack, led by star freshman tailback Ralph Webb. However, Vanderbilt will also bring a collection of questionable quarterbacks to Lexington for Saturday’s game, and it will be up to the Kentucky defense to turn those average signal callers into an advantage for the Cats.

Mark Stoops’ group had to prepare for two quarterbacks this week at practice, as it remains to be seen whether Vandy starter Patton Robinette will be healthy enough to play after suffering a concussion last week against South Carolina. If Robinette can’t go, then it will be freshman Wade Freebeck taking snaps under center. Robinette is the better passer, but neither quarterback has shown consistent poise in the pocket when protection is not absolutely perfect.

As a result, Kentucky’s star defensive end tandem of Bud Dupree and Za’Darius Smith must kick-start their senior seasons with a pair of huge performances against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Smith has just 0.5 sack this season, which is more than can be said for Dupree, who has posted a goose egg in that category in 2014.

Vanderbilt is not as explosive at wide receiver as it was in years past under former coach James Franklin, and Stoops trusts his secondary to take care of the Commodores’ playmakers on the outside. The Cats will load the box most of the night in hopes of both silencing Webb and applying frequent pressure on whoever is playing quarterback. If Kentucky can make Robinette and/or Freebeck uncomfortable early and often, neither passer will be able to find a rhythm from the pocket.

The Commodores have beaten themselves as much as their opponents have beaten them this year, and a strong pass rush will bring about more sloppy play from Vandy’s quarterbacks. If Kentucky’s defense wants to make its job easier, it’ll get after the passer all night long. That initiative starts with Smith and Dupree, and after a bye last weekend, both players should be fresh and plenty hungry to get into Vandy’s backfield.

Kentucky’s Air Raid offense has proven it can put up points in bunches, but if the defense makes Vanderbilt’s quarterbacks uncomfortable, the Cats won’t need many points to win this game with ease.