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Alabama vs. Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview
Alabama vs. Kentucky prediction and game preview. The Crimson Tide and Wildcats will face off in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.
September 27, 2016
Alabama vs. Kentucky prediction and game preview. The Crimson Tide and Wildcats will face off in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.
Alabama vs. Kentucky Game Preview
When: Saturday, October 1 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Alabama had the equivalent of a bye week this past Saturday, as Kent State came to Tuscaloosa and was handed a 48-0 loss. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was a pedestrian 16-for-24 passing for 164 yards and a touchdown while running back Joshua Jacobs had two touchdowns for the Crimson Tide on the ground.
Kentucky got a much needed SEC victory, taking down South Carolina, 17-10. Starting quarterback Drew Barker will still be out, so Stephen Johnson will be tasked with facing the tough Alabama defense on the road in front of 100,000-plus screaming fans.
What To Know About Alabama
What can be said about Alabama that hasn’t been said already? Hurts is a star in the making, a plethora of weapons are readily available at the running back and wide receiver positions, and tight end O.J. Howard is one of the most underused players in college football. Starting running back Damien Harris is day-to-day after injuring his ankle against Kent State.
On defense, the Crimson Tide are going to blow up the opposition at the line and count on the talents of guys such as linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive back Eddie Jackson to suffocate opposing players.
What to Know About Kentucky
Two wins in a row help the Wildcats enter this game with a little confidence, but not in the way those two victories occurred. Kentucky had to rely on a big second half to outpace New Mexico State two weeks ago to get its first win, while the absence of Barker at quarterback last week saw the offense struggle against the Gamecocks. The one bright spot could be the resurgence of running back Boom Williams, who has had two good games in a row, recording 181 and 123 yards against New Mexico State and South Carolina, respectively.
The Wildcats held the Gamecocks to 10 points, but so will a lot of teams. In the other three games, Kentucky has allowed a combined 131 points.
Advantages
Offense: Alabama. Despite losing running back Damien Harris to injury, this is still an explosive offense.
Defense: Alabama. Take out the Ole Miss game, and Alabama has not allowed more than 10 points in any other game.
Special Teams: Alabama. Kentucky ranks No. 77 in the nation in yards per punt, meaning Alabama could find itself with good field position all night long.
Coaching: Alabama. Mark Stoops may be coaching for his job, while Nick Saban has won four national championships with the Crimson Tide.
Intangibles: Alabama. It’s at home, at night and the Crimson Tide are 36-2-1 all-time versus Kentucky. The two wins for the Wildcats came in 1997 and 1922.
Matchup To Watch
Stephen Johnson vs. Bryant-Denny crowd
It would be easy for anyone to get rattled against the Alabama defense in Tuscaloosa, especially an inexperienced one.
Alabama vs. Kentucky Betting Odds
Spread: Alabama -35
Over/Under: N/A
Alabama vs. Kentucky Prediction
The Crimson Tide know that they will have their hands full next week when traveling into Fayetteville to face Arkansas. That said, they might be a little underwhelmed by their competition, but this is a Nick Saban-coached team and he expects perfection every time. Alabama rolls and covers the 35-point spread.
Alabama vs. Kentucky Score Prediction: Alabama 51, Kentucky 10
