Better late than never, seems to be the best way to describe Kentucky as it approaches the final stretch of the regular season. While the Wildcats’ performance has been far from perfect, there is something significant about when a team’s potential and ability finally come to fruition. Although the Cats are not contending for an SEC championship or a College Football Playoff berth, they still have a chance to secure a postseason appearance. With a record of 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the SEC, they are just one win away from bowl eligibility.
The Wildcats have seemingly risen from adversity and seek their third conference win. As Week 13 approaches, they will face No. 12 Vanderbilt on the road. The Commodores boast an impressive record of 8-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC.
Despite Kentucky’s recent momentum, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) offers a less optimistic outlook for Week 13. The latest projections give Vanderbilt a 76.5% chance of victory compared to Kentucky’s 23.5%, indicating that securing bowl eligibility will be challenging for the Wildcats in Nashville.
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The Commodores enter this matchup well-rested after enjoying a bye week in Week 12. In their last game, they defeated Auburn 45-38 in Week 11, with quarterback Diego Pavia leading the offense by throwing for 377 yards on 25 of 33 passing attempts, resulting in three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also contributed significantly on the ground, with 112 rushing yards and one touchdown from 18 carries. Running back Sedrick Alexander delivered an electrifying performance with two rushing touchdowns on ten carries for 39 yards and added one reception for 13 yards. Tre Richards also made his mark with three catches for 124 yards and one touchdown.
Kentucky recently ended Tennessee Tech’s undefeated golden streak of 10-0 by delivering its first loss of the season. Quarterback Cutter Boley threw for an impressive 236 yards on just 18 of 21 attempts, achieving one touchdown without any interceptions while adding another rushing touchdown on three carries for 24 yards. Running back Dante Dowdell contributed with a solid performance, carrying the ball thirteen times for 87 yards and one rushing touchdown. Receiver Kendrick Law capped off Week 12 with an outstanding display, totaling 124 yards on eleven receptions.
These two founding programs of the SEC have faced each other a total of 97 times, with Kentucky holding a slight edge in the all-time series at 48–44–4. This rivalry ranks as the second-longest in Kentucky’s history, behind the storied competition with Tennessee. It is known to be one of the more evenly matched rivalries within the SEC; notably, forty-one matchups have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Mark Stoops and his ball club have turned the corner somewhat as they head into their matchup in Nashville; the question remains: will they achieve a Cats Coup? We will see; kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET in Nashville and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
