{"id":32411,"date":"2020-11-12T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T17:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=32411"},"modified":"2020-11-12T08:34:30","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T13:34:30","slug":"previewing-vanderbilt-at-kentucky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/11\/12\/previewing-vanderbilt-at-kentucky\/","title":{"rendered":"Previewing Vanderbilt at Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Previewing Vanderbilt at Kentucky<\/h2>\n<h3>Cats Trying to Bounce Back<\/h3>\n<p>In a sea of cancellations, one SEC game that&#8217;s still on for Saturday is Vanderbilt and Kentucky. After two straight poor offensive showings, the Cats look to rebound against the winless Commodores. Can they find some momentum on that side of the ball and increase their bowl standing? Let&#8217;s find out as we begin previewing Vanderbilt at Kentucky.<\/p>\n<h3>Where&#8217;s the Offense?<\/h3>\n<p>In 2020 where there have been pinball-like numbers everywhere, only one SEC team has failed to get 200 yards of total offense in a game. The Kentucky Wildcats have done it twice. In fact, they&#8217;ve been under 300 yards in their last four contests. On the season Kentucky ranks 116th out of 123 schools in total offense with 294 yards per game and in passing offense with 118 yards a game. Both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/terry-wilson-3.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terry Wilson <\/a>and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/joey-gatewood-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joey Gatewood<\/a> have struggled under center and other than\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/josh-ali-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Ali<\/a> they&#8217;ve gotten little from the wide receivers.<\/p>\n<p>Heading into Saturday the biggest question is who is the starting quarterback, Gatewood or Wilson? For whatever reason, the Kentucky offense has seemed off this entire year. Do the Cats go with the incumbent or build for the future? Quite simply to win on Saturday they must find some offense. Stoops says Kentucky has made great strides during the bye week, however, results are needed on the field.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">On a QB decision this week&#8230; Stoops says the person who gives them the best opportunity to win right now will be the choice. Terry Wilson had a good week of practice last week, he added, but he also wants to see what Joey Gatewood and Beau Allen can do.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JDrumUK\/status\/1325848953762574337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 9, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As we continue previewing Vanderbilt at Kentucky let&#8217;s now look at the visitors on Saturday.<\/p>\n<h3>Scouting the Commodores<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/coaches\/derek-mason-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derek Mason&#8217;s<\/a> team comes into Saturday with an 0-5 record. A week ago they rallied from down 21-0 before falling to Mississippi State 24-17. However, for the season they&#8217;ve only scored more than 20 points once and have been held under double figures twice. The offense is led by freshman quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/ken-seals-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ken Seals.<\/a> For the season he&#8217;s completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns. Although, he does have eight interceptions so that could bode well for a Kentucky defense that ranks second in the nation with 11 picks. In addition, Vandy ranks 116th in college football with a negative eight turnover margin.<\/p>\n<p>Behind Seals is running back\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/keyon-brooks-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keyon Brooks<\/a> who has rushed for 253 yards and two scores in 2020. Further, he&#8217;s a big pass-catching threat with 20 receptions for 207 yards. Those stats came in only three games. Vandy likes to throw the ball and Seals&#8217; major target is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/cam-johnson-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Johnson<\/a>. He currently ranks sixth in the SEC with 33 receptions. Also, he has 336 yards and one score. As mentioned earlier all three are coming off big games against Mississippi State.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud835\udfd1\ud835\udfce\ud835\udfce, \ud83d\udcaf, \ud83d\udcaf.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time since 2016, a 300-yard passer (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KenSealsQB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@KenSealsQB<\/a>), 100-yard rusher (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/keyonbrooks_29?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@keyonbrooks_29<\/a>) and 100-yard receiver (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/camjohnson_23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@camjohnson_23<\/a>). <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RTI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RTI<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AnchorDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#AnchorDown<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/POLpnmDvXu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/POLpnmDvXu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VandyFootball\/status\/1325549975783178242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 8, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>On the other side of the ball, the Vandy defense is coming off a week where they held the Mississippi State rushing attack to -22 yards. That&#8217;s the best mark since 1996. Defensive back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jaylen-mahoney-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Mahoney<\/a> and safety\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/anfernee-orji-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anfernee Orji<\/a> lead the until with 33 and 32 tackles respectively. Though it&#8217;s not necessarily a good thing when your defensive backs are your leading tacklers. So far in 2020, the Commodores have given up over 40 points in three of their five games.<\/p>\n<h3>The Last Time These Two Met<\/h3>\n<p>A year ago in Nashville, the Commodores jumped out to an early 14-3 lead. However, the Cats rallied with 21 second-quarter points going on to <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2019\/11\/17\/kentucky-runs-over-vanderbilt-38-14\/\" target=\"_self\">a 38-14 victory. <\/a>\u00a0Led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/christopher-rodriguez-jr-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christopher Rodriguez&#8217;s <\/a>\u00a0129 yards and two touchdowns Kentucky had two players crack the century mark. In addition to Rodriguez, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/lynn-bowden-jr-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lynn Bowden<\/a> rushed for 110 yards and a score and also threw for 104 yards and another score.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kavosiey-smoke-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kavosiey Smoke <\/a>nearly got there rushing for 95. It was Kentucky&#8217;s largest margin of victory over Vandy since 2001.<\/p>\n<h3>Series History<\/h3>\n<p>Saturday&#8217;s contest marks the 93rd time Kentucky and Vanderbilt have met on the gridiron. Overall the Wildcats lead the series 46 wins to 42 and there have been four ties. In addition, Kentucky has won four in a row, this coming after the Commodores won four of the previous five. Kentucky&#8217;s longest streak of victories over an SEC opponent is also against Vandy as they won six straight from 1976-1981. The Wildcats could have tied that mark this season against Missouri but we all know how <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/10\/25\/kentucky-falls-at-missouri-20-10\/\" target=\"_self\">that one turned out<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Who Wins On Saturday?<\/h3>\n<p>As we finish up previewing Vanderbilt at Kentucky it&#8217;s prediction time. Over the last few years Stoops has won the games he&#8217;s needed to against what&#8217;s considered the lower half of the SEC East. They&#8217;ve won four straight against Vandy, and five of six against both Missouri and South Carolina.<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned earlier Kentucky needs a win in order to boost their bowl resume. Currently, Last Word has the Wildcats playing <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/11\/09\/bowl-projections-following-week-10-2\/\" target=\"_self\">Iowa in the Music City Bowl. <\/a>\u00a0On paper, this is a game where Kentucky gets the offense back on track and you put it away early with the idea being of getting the younger guys some playing time. However long time UK fans know nothing is ever that easy.<\/p>\n<p>Kentucky comes into the game as a 17 point favorite. The last time they were a double-digit favorite over an SEC school was against Vandy in 2018. That one turned out to be a hard-fought defensive game in which the Cats won 14-7. More than likely this game falls somewhere in between as Kentucky gets the win but not as commanding as the Big Blue Nation would hope.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kentucky 24\u00a0 Vanderbilt 10<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thanks for previewing Vanderbilt at Kentucky with us here at<strong> Last Word On College Football.<\/strong> We&#8217;ll be back after the game with a recap. In the meantime be sure to check out all the great content here on the site.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"jBkAoIOdRaBDJK4mfTv7SA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1188105315\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'jBkAoIOdRaBDJK4mfTv7SA',sig:'cUsltVm3zAs9qInw-i1-hrGi0GOvOLo4ESGP2LsdLdM=',w:'594px',h:'412px',items:'1188105315',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Previewing Vanderbilt at Kentucky Cats Trying to Bounce Back In a sea of cancellations, one SEC game that&#8217;s still on for Saturday is Vanderbilt and Kentucky. After two straight poor offensive showings, the Cats look to rebound against the winless Commodores. Can they find some momentum on that side of the ball and increase their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":877,"featured_media":32453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2],"tags":[184,6379,128,140,6955,21,285,126,35397,2737],"class_list":["post-32411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sec","category-featured","tag-cfb","tag-covid-19","tag-derek-mason","tag-fbs","tag-ken-seals","tag-kentucky-wildcats","tag-mark-stoops","tag-ncaa","tag-sec-predictions","tag-terry-wilson"],"modified_by":"Maggie Yarnell, Senior Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/877"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32411\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}