Louisville vs. Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview

The Louisville Cardinals (6-5) and the Kentucky Wildcats (5-6) are after commonwealth bragging rights this weekend in Lexington. Check out the Louisville vs. Kentucky prediction and game preview.

Louisville vs. Kentucky Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky
Network: SEC Network

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Why You Need To Care

Rivals Louisville and Kentucky are poised to close out disappointing regular seasons with the 28th edition of The Governor’s Cup.

While the Cardinals have rebounded from an 0-3 start to qualify for the postseason, the team has gone in reverse after winning nine games in 2014, their first in the ACC and with Bobby Petrino back on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Kentucky has been the mirror image of Louisville, starting fast before tanking with five straight SEC losses. With a win this week, though, the Wildcats will be bowl eligible for the first time in five years, a vital step for third-year coach Mark Stoops. Stoops is also hoping to snap Louisville’s three-game winning streak in the series.

Why Louisville Will Win

After two uncharacteristically bad performances, the Cardinal D is ready to bounce back against the Wildcats. Kentucky has had all kinds of problems winning the line of scrimmage and scoring points, averaging just 17 in eight conference games. And it’ll have its hands full on Saturday trying to protect rookie QB Drew Barker from a nasty front seven comprised of DE Sheldon Rankins, NT DeAngelo Brown and linebackers Trevon Young, Devonte Fields, Keith Kelsey and James Burgess.

Why Kentucky Will Win

The Cats have offensive shortcomings, but so do the Cards. And Kentucky is confident it can keep Louisville from getting back on track. The Cards have yielded 43 sacks, more than any other FBS team, and they were just eviscerated last week by Pitt’s Ejuan Price. LB Josh Forrest and DT Cory Johnson are all-league-caliber talents who can whip the Louisville front and pressure the quarterbacks into forced throws.

Player Who Matters

Who walks through the revolving door that is the Louisville quarterback situation? Petrino has used three different players behind center, primarily Lamar Jackson and Kyle Bolin. Jackson, the rookie, makes the most sense, since Kentucky has had issues containing athletic quarterbacks. And he can be a game-changer in the open field, leading the Cardinals with 548 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

What’s Going To Happen?

Kentucky is going to be fired up to capture the seminal victory that earns a bowl berth. It’ll be the difference in a game that Stoops must have to validate the progress he’s making strides in Lexington. The Louisville D is much better than it’s shown the past two weeks, but something is missing on that side of the ball. And Petrino’s O-line is a disaster. This is a tough spot for Barker, but he’ll get enough support from RB Stanley Williams and the defense to earn a very important win for the program’s future.