After a couple of tough losses to SEC foes in South Carolina and the Georgia Bulldogs, Kentucky football has bounced back. In week five, they pulled off a big upset against Ole Miss.
Up next for the Wildcats is the Vanderbilt Commodores. In most seasons, Vandy is an afterthought in the SEC, but this season, they are making noise. In their previous game, they got a big upset of their own, taking down the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Related: Kentucky vs Vanderbilt: Five things to watch for
This week’s matchup between the two teams figures to be a defensive battle, but who has the edge? Here are the predictions from the UKWildcatsWire staff:
Vance Meek – Lead Writer
Kentucky 24 – Vanderbilt 16
This game has defensive battle written all over it. The Wildcats have one of the best defenses in the nation, while the Commodores have been solid as well, making plays when it mattered. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff will need to make a few plays down the field.
If Dane Key and Barion Brown can get involved to open up the running game, Kentucky will have the advantage. It might come down to the offensive line giving Vandagriff time to throw. I think Kentucky makes just a few more plays.
Steve Holley
Kentucky 29 – Vanderbilt 16
Vanderbilt’s win over Alabama was the upset of the year in college football. Unfortunately for them, Kentucky is also playing really well, and the Wildcats have dominated this rivalry under Mark Stoops. With a week off to rest following such a big win at Ole Miss, I like Kentucky’s chances.
The defense needs to force some turnovers and get big stops in this game. Vandy played a mistake-free game against Alabama, and the Commodores’ ability to chew up 5 – 6 minutes of game clock, even on drives where they didn’t score really impressed me. That said, I think they’re in for a let-down a week after such a historic upset.