What we know heading into Kentucky vs. Alabama
They remember what college football teams do in November. Alabama and Kentucky each performed in big spots last week to begin the stretch run. The Crimson Tide are competing for another SEC title, and the Wildcats are looking to salvage what could be a lost season if another loss to a ranked foe occurs.
No. 8 Alabama is one win away from clinching another SEC West title and locking in a likely date with Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Kentucky is a win away from a ranked opponent away from this season looking a lot different.
There is plenty at stake for both the Tide and the Wildcats. Before toe meets leather at Kroger Field, let’s take a look back at what we learned this week in preparation for Senior Day in Lexington.
Devin Leary is 100 percent
Kentucky was on cruise control and up 24-3 in the third quarter against Mississippi State before an unfortunate development popped up. The Wildcats pulled starting quarterback Devin Leary from the game after the super senior was having reported vision problems during the game at Davis-Wade Stadium.
On Monday, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops wasn’t super clear about Leary’s status. With the way the injury occurred, it appeared that Leary could be going through a concussion protocol. Luckily, that was all cleared up on Tuesday when offensive coordinator Liam Coen confirmed that No. 13 will be fully available on Saturday.
Leary backed up that statement when he spoke with reporters this week.
“I’m good to go,” Leary told KSR. “Just got a little bit banged up but feel really good now and 100 percent for this week.”
Over the last two SEC games, Leary (67.2% completion rate, 8.7 yards per attempt, 4 touchdowns) is playing his best football of the season. On Thursday, Stoops confirmed that the quarterback had another very good week of practice. Following the Mississippi State wins, Coen reported that Kentucky had their best throwing session of the season before the game.
The passing game is starting to come alive. Kentucky will need it to deliver to make a run at the upset on Saturday afternoon.
Alabama’s defense is banged up
Alabama has yet another top-10 defense under Nick Saban. Rinse, repeat. New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has stepped in, and the Tide are producing. Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry both look like first-round cornerbacks. Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner might be the best pass rushing duo in college football. Caleb Downs could be the best true freshman in the country.
Kentucky’s offense has a tough challenge ahead of them. But they could be facing a wounded Alabama defense.
Starting off-ball linebacker Deontae Lawson and starting safety Jaylen Key are both extremely questionable on Saturday. Neither veteran was able to practice this week, and that likely means each will be a scratch at Kroger Field. That could make an impact.
Top 10
- 1New
Cam Newton
Arch Manning, Saban to Cowboys
- 2Hot
Arch Manning NIL
Texas QB signs with Red Bull
- 3
ACC, ESPN extension
New deal reached through 2036
- 4
John Calipari return
Rick Pitino encourages cheers
- 5
SEC softball poll
Predicted order of finish
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
To replace Key, Bama has done some big shuffling. Arnold has moved from outside cornerback to the slot, starting nickel Malachi Moore would be asked to play safety, and reserve Trey Amos would start at cornerback. That is a lot of moving parts.
In the only extended action without Lawson, Mississippi State’s traditional run game had one of its best performances of the season against Alabama.
Will Kentucky be able to take advantage of a defense not near 100 percent?
Jalen Milroe drives the Alabama offense
Following a Week 3 home loss to Texas, Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees decided to make a change at quarterback. Alabama officially pulled Jalen Milroe, and things got ugly against USF. Bama quickly pivoted back to Milroe, and the Tide have not lost since.
During this current six-game win streak against SEC competition with Milroe behind center, the Tide have found an identity. Rees’ first Alabama offense is a run-heavy operation that hunts for explosive plays in the passing game. Milroe is critical to Alabama’s success.
Not only does the redshirt sophomore quarterback rank No. 2 nationally in yards per attempt (10.4), but the former top-100 recruit leads the Tide in rushing success rate (55.4%), non-sack yards per rush (8.2), explosive run rate (35.4%), and rushing touchdowns (9). When he plays well, Bama scores points. When he doesn’t, this offense can bog down.
Milroe’s sack rate (15.4%) is ridiculously high, and he’s only thrown more than 23 passes in an SEC game once this season. Milroe has only logged more than 10 rushing attempts twice. Rees is still being careful in how he uses his young quarterback not wanting to put too much on his plate.
Alabama has an inefficient traditional run game. Eventually, this game will be put on Milroe’s shoulders. Kentucky has to slow down the dual-threat quarterback to slow down the Crimson Tide. That means eliminating explosive completions, ending productive pass rushes with sacks, and tackling the big quarterback in space.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard