Mark Stoops‘ club looks to add to an already historic season on Saturday when they travel to College Station, Texas to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. The Cats have a chance to start 6-0 for the first time in 68 years. In addition to previewing Kentucky versus Texas A&M we are going to show you some history between the two schools.
Previewing Kentucky Versus Texas A&M
Not Since The Bear Roamed The Sidelines
Saturday’s contest marks only the third time the two schools have met and the first since 1953. However that doesn’t mean they don’t share some history.
The only time Kentucky played at Texas A&M was October 6, 1952 when the Bear Bryant–led Cats won 10-7. The next season the Aggies returned the favor by defeating Kentucky 7-6 at Stoll Field. Bryant left Lexington after the 1953 season and headed to Texas A&M where he coached four years before moving onto Alabama.
Even though Bryant hasn’t coached at Kentucky in over six decades he is still the school’s all-time winningest coach with 60 victories. Despite going 1-9 in his first season in College Station, Bryant finished with a 25-14-2 overall record.
Scouting The Aggies
Under first year coach Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M comes into the game with a 3-2 record. However, their losses have been to two of the top three teams in the country. They nearly beat Clemson before before falling 28-26 while two weeks ago Fisher’s club was routed by Alabama 45-23. Last time out they knocked off fellow SEC West rival Arkansas 24-17 in a rather uninspiring contest.
The main man on offense is junior running back Trayveon Williams. Though five games Williams has 582 yards rushing with six touchdowns. With all the attention on Kentucky’s Benny Snell, the Houston native wants to show he is the conference’s best back.
In addition to Williams, another player to watch is quarterback Kellen Mond. On the season the sophomore has thrown for 1,221 yards and seven touchdowns. His best game came in the Clemson loss where he lit up the Tigers for 430 yards and three scores. However, Mond has thrown two interceptions in each of the Aggies’ last two games. Look for the opportunistic Kentucky defense to test him on Saturday.
One other thing the Cats hope to exploit is the Texas A&M offensive line. Through five games the Aggies have allowed 17 sacks which are the most in the SEC. That should set up a huge game for Josh Allen. The future first round draft pick leads the league with six sacks in 2018.
Kentucky headlines the list of 5 biggest surprise teams this season, riding RB Benny Snell and edge defender Josh Allen (via @PFF_Cam)https://t.co/djBkHUwlhF pic.twitter.com/91AhfRwlpC
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 2, 2018
The Cats are, however, missing one key component on defense. Middle linebacker Kash Daniel has to sit out the first half on Saturday after being ejected last week for targeting against South Carolina. True freshman Chris Oats gets the start in Daniel’s place.
How Kentucky Wins The Game
Throughout their five game winning streak the running game has been the one constant. The Wildcats lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game with 259 and in touchdowns with 16.
Benny Snell leads the way for the Cats with 639 yards and eight touchdowns. Not only does the junior lead the conference but he has firmly planted himself in the Heisman race. When you factor in quarterback Terry Wilson Kentucky has one of the top attacks in the country.
Most combined rushing yards by a quarterback/running back duo among Power 5 schools this season: 948, Penn State (Trace McSorley, Miles Sanders); 939, Kentucky (Terry Wilson/Benny Snell)
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) October 1, 2018
On Saturday the Wildcats face the number one defense in the league at stopping the run. Through five games the Aggies average 85 yards allowed per game on the ground. In fact, they are looking forward to the challenge. Defensive end Kingsley Keke told reporters earlier in the week, “we do pretty well against the run, that shouldn’t be a big deal for us.” He added “they run the ball really well with Benny Snell, so we’ll be ready to play.”
Whoever controls the line of scrimmage wins the game on Saturday. As we continue previewing Kentucky versus Texas A&M it’s prediction time.
Who Wins On Saturday?
Kentucky comes into this prime time game on ESPN on a run not seen in some time. This in only the fifth time since World War II the Cats have started a season 5-0. The others were 1949, 1950, 1984 and 2007. In addition they have won all five games by double digits. That puts them in some very exclusive company.
That's it. That's the list. #BBN pic.twitter.com/beVoASkgHc
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) October 2, 2018
Kyle Field and the famous “12th Man” is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. The Wildcats beat Florida in “The Swamp” this season for the first time since 1979, so they are clearly road tested in a hostile environment. In addition they are 14-5 in their last 19 regular season games, the best mark in over 40 years.
The 2018 season has been all about rewriting the history of Kentucky football. In prime time and under the lights the Cats do it yet again in a nail biter.
Kentucky 28 Texas A&M 24
Thanks for previewing Kentucky versus Texas A&M with us here at Last Word On College Football. Next time with the Cats on their bye week we are going to hand out some mid-season awards.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
