3 Kentucky players to watch against Alabama

Kentucky is back at Kroger Field for their final home game of the 2023 regular season. Holding a 1-2 record against SEC teams in Lexington, the Wildcats will be looking to pull off a double-digit home upset to avoid a three-game conference losing streak at home to end the season.

The challenge will be stiff for Mark Stoops‘ team on Saturday afternoon. Nick Saban has one of the hottest teams in college football peaking at the right time. However, the Tide have not been great in road games over the last three seasons.

Will Kentucky be able to make a legitimate run at an outright upset? If that occurs, these are the players that the Wildcats will need to play well.

Competitive catches

Alabama is big and stout on the line of scrimmages. The Tide have linebackers that can run and tackle. Kevin Steele‘s defense is long and athletic on the edge. You’re simply not going to be this defense running the football.

Kentucky will need to have balance in this football game to keep the Tide honest, but the passing game is what will determine if the Wildcats have a real shot at winning on Saturday. Against tight coverage against two potential first-round cornerbacks, Liam Coen’s offense will need to make competitive plays on the perimeter.

Devin Leary must be locked in at quarterback, but the super senior will need his wideouts to win in one-on-one situations. Dane Key has been Kentucky’s best competitive catch player. The Wildcats will need a big game from No. 6.

Key has 11 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks as he is starting to become a bigger part of the offense. Kentucky will likely need another big game from the outside receiver on Saturday to score some points.

Big-play prevention

Alabama is a run-heavy operation despite not being very efficient. The Tide can get away with this because of how explosive this passing offense has been.

Jalen Milroe ranks No. 2 nationally in yards per attempt (10.4). Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees wants to hammer the rock and force the safeties to play downhill. Once that happens, Alabama will take swings in the vertical passing game.

Kentucky must play with good eye discipline on Saturday night. In the secondary, the Wildcats must always be ready for vertical route concepts. This will be a big moment for true freshman safety Ty Bryant.

Look for Alabama to attempt to take advantage of his inexperience if he starts creeping to the line of scrimmage. Even if he doesn’t, Bama will still take their vertical swings. Kentucky’s young safety will have to make some competitive plays in coverage.

This matchup will be a big opportunity for the Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass product.

Protect Devin Leary

Alabama’s pass rush is dangerous. Most notably, the Crimson Tide has two edge rushers who can win one-on-one and change the game at any point. Throughout the season, we’ve seen Devin Leary shake off pressure in the pocket, but he cannot shake what he can’t see.

Kentucky will need a good game from left tackle Marques Cox in pass protection on Saturday afternoon.

The Northern Illinois transfer has allowed 13 pressures in 296 pass pro snaps this season. Cox has given the Wildcats a massive upgrade at left tackle, but Week 11 will be his biggest challenge yet. Kentucky needs Cox to hold up in isolation to give Leary time to make throws.

A strong pass protection game will give this Kentucky offense a chance to create explosive plays against an aggressive coverage unit.