Vanderbilt faces Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington. 16Powers.com previews this SEC football game and predicts the final score.
Rowan Rehbein, 14Powers.com SEC Football
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TEAM SCHEDULES/RESULTS
Vanderbilt
| Date | Guest | PTs | Home | PTs | Time (EST) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 31 | Virginia Tech | 27 | Vanderbilt | 34 | OT ESPN | Noon |
| Sep. 7 | Alcorn St. | 0 | Vanderbilt | 55 | ESPNU | 7:30 PM |
| Sep. 14 | Vanderbilt | 32 | Georgia State | 36 | ESPN+ | 7:00 PM |
| Sep. 21 | Vanderbilt | 27 | Missouri | 30 | TBA | TBA |
| Oct. 5 | Alabama | 35 | Vanderbilt | 40 | TBA | TBA |
| Oct. 12 | Vanderbilt | Kentucky | TBA | TBA | ||
| Oct. 19 | Ball State | Vanderbilt | ESPN+ | 7:00 PM | ||
| Oct. 26 | Texas | Vanderbilt | TBA | TBA | ||
| Nov. 2 | Vanderbilt | Auburn | TBA | TBA | ||
| Nov. 9 | South Carolina | Vanderbilt | TBA | TBA | ||
| Nov. 23 | Vanderbilt | LSU | TBA | TBA | ||
| Nov. 30 | Tennessee | Vanderbilt | TBA | TBA |
Kentucky
| Date | Guest | PTs | Home | PTs | Time (EST) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 31 | Southern Miss | 0 | Kentucky | 31 | SECN | 7:45 PM |
| Sep. 7 | South Carolina | 31 | Kentucky | 6 | ABC | 3:30 PM |
| Sep. 14 | Georgia | 13 | Kentucky | 12 | ABC | 7:30 PM |
| Sep. 21 | Ohio | 6 | Kentucky | 41 | SECN | 12:45 PM |
| Sep. 28 | Kentucky | 20 | Ole Miss | 17 | TBA | Noon |
| Oct. 12 | Vanderbilt | Kentucky | TBA | TBA | ||
| Oct. 19 | Kentucky | Florida | TBA | TBA | ||
| Oct. 26 | Auburn | Kentucky | TBA | TBA | ||
| Nov. 2 | Kentucky | Tennessee | TBA | TBA | ||
| Nov. 16 | Murray State | Kentucky | ESPN+ | 1:30 PM | ||
| Nov. 23 | Kentucky | Texas | TBA | TBA | ||
| Nov. 30 | Louisville | Kentucky | TBA | TBA |
COLLEGE FOOTBALL RATINGS
| Rating | Vanderbilt | Kentucky |
| ESPN FPI | 41 | 25 |
| Sagarin | 68 | 24 |
| Massey Composite | 66 | 24 |
| PiRate Ratings | 62 | 25 |
KEY STATS
| 3rd down Coversion Pct | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
20 68 |
5 12 |
0.493 0.406 |
| 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
14 94 |
5 14 |
0.300 0.422 |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
12 60 |
2 8 |
0.750 0.571 |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
50 102 |
6 15 |
0.500 0.667 |
| Blocked Kicks | ||||
| Blocked Kicks Allowed | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
1 1 |
1 1 |
0 0 |
| Blocked Punts | ||||
| Blocked Punts Allowed | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
1 1 |
1 1 |
0 0 |
| Completion Percentage | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
32 102 |
9 14 |
0.664 0.585 |
| Defensive TDs | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
6 20 |
1 3 |
2 1 |
| Fewest Penalties | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
39 77 |
1 7 |
28 35 |
| Fewest Penalties Per Game | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
47 84 |
1 9 |
5.60 7.00 |
| Fewest Penalty Yards | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
22 98 |
1 11 |
206 353 |
| Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
26 106 |
1 12 |
41.20 70.60 |
| First Downs Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
2 37 |
1 8 |
60 91 |
| First Downs Offense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
86 86 |
12 12 |
102 102 |
| Fumbles Lost | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
6 6 |
1 1 |
1 1 |
| Fumbles Recovered | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
72 99 |
8 13 |
2 1 |
| Kickoff Return Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
17 79 |
4 13 |
15.13 19.80 |
| Kickoff Returns | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
99 100 |
12 13 |
17.64 17.60 |
| Net Punting | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
33 56 |
10 14 |
41.29 39.56 |
| Passes Had Intercepted | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
1 36 |
1 7 |
0 3 |
| Passes Intercepted | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
43 55 |
5 9 |
5 4 |
| Passing Offense | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
94 116 |
12 15 |
198.0 170.4 |
| Passing Yards Allowed | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
20 89 |
4 15 |
166.0 231.6 |
| Passing Yards per Completion | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
20 60 |
6 13 |
13.94 12.35 |
| Punt Return Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
49 125 |
11 15 |
6.00 19.00 |
| Punt Returns | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
8 97 |
2 15 |
18.67 5.71 |
| Red Zone Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
10 80 |
3 14 |
0.692 0.875 |
| Red Zone Offense | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
10 25 |
1 6 |
0.957 0.938 |
| Rushing Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
6 39 |
3 8 |
78.2 114.4 |
| Rushing Offense | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
63 77 |
9 11 |
169.0 151.2 |
| Sacks Allowed | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
46 117 |
5 14 |
1.40 3.00 |
| Scoring Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
11 84 |
4 15 |
13.4 25.6 |
| Scoring Offense | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
22 106 |
5 16 |
37.6 22.0 |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
68 115 |
11 15 |
5.20 7.00 |
| Team Passing Efficiency | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
12 101 |
4 16 |
171.83 125.23 |
| Team Passing Efficiency Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
74 94 |
11 13 |
131.37 138.60 |
| Team Sacks | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
49 59 |
9 11 |
2.20 2.00 |
| Team Tackles for Loss | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
46 51 |
8 10 |
6.4 6.2 |
| Time of Possession | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
22 27 |
3 4 |
32:22 32:08 |
| Total Defense | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
5 62 |
3 13 |
244.2 346.0 |
| Total Offense | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
87 115 |
13 15 |
367.0 321.6 |
| Turnover Margin | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
13 46 |
2 6 |
1.00 0.40 |
| Turnovers Gained | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
75 75 |
9 9 |
6 6 |
| Turnovers Lost | Vanderbilt Kentucky |
1 19 |
1 4 |
1 4 |
| Winning Percentage | Kentucky Vanderbilt |
56 56 |
11 11 |
0.600 0.600 |
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vanderbilt
QB Diego Pavia, RB Sedrick Alexander, WR Junior Sherrill, WR Quincy Skinner, TE Cole Spence, C Steven Losoya , OLGage Pitchford, OL Chase Mitchell, DL Khordae Sydnor, DL Devin Lee, LB Langston Patterson, LB Bryce Cowan, CB Tyson Russell, CB Kolbey Taylor, S CJ Taylor, S De’Ricky Wright, K Brock Taylor, P Jesse Mirco
Kentucky
QB Brock Vandagriff, RB DeaMonte Trayanum, WR Dane Key, WR Barion Brown, TE Josh Kattus, C Eli Cox, OL Dylan Ray , OL Gerald Mincey, DT Deone Walker, DE JJ Weaver, LB Deryk Jackson, LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, CB Maxwell Hairston, CB Jantzen Dunn, S Zion Childress, S Jordan Lovett, K Alex Raynor, P Aidan Laros, ATH Barion Brown
INJURIES
Vanderbilt
Player POS Status
B. Coleman TE Out
M. Davis CB Out
Kentucky
Player POS Status
G. Mincey OL Questionable
M. Hairston DB Questionable
J. Burton OL Out
J. Patterson RB Out
B. Vandagriff QB Probable
K. Silver DL Probable
J. Hayes DL Out
T. Gadson DL Out
C. Ford OL Out Undisclosed
D. Henry-Young DL Out – Undisclosed
D. Smith LB Out – Undisclosed
D. Trayanum RB Out
B. White WR Questionable
H. Gilmore WR Out
Source: Covers.com
Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky Football Series History
Kentucky leads 49-43-4
COMMENTS
The current state of Vanderbilt football in October 2024 is marked by a historic high after their stunning 40-35 victory over No. 1 Alabama. This upset, Vanderbilt’s first win over a top-ranked opponent in the program’s history, has reinvigorated the Commodore fanbase and brought national attention to their performance. Under head coach Clark Lea, Vanderbilt executed a game plan focused on time of possession, dominating Alabama in this area by holding the ball for over 42 minutes. This strategy, combined with crucial turnovers and penalties by Alabama, allowed Vanderbilt to maintain control despite Alabama’s attempts to rally in the second half​ (Vandy Hustler)​.
The win also represents a significant moment for a team that has historically struggled in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Vanderbilt has shown progress under Lea’s leadership, utilizing a balanced offensive approach with quarterback Diego Pavia making key plays, particularly in crucial third-down situations. Their defense also stepped up, taking advantage of Alabama’s mistakes and maintaining pressure throughout the game. (Vandy Hustler).
This victory positions Vanderbilt as a potential threat in the SEC this season, with renewed confidence and momentum as they look ahead to the remainder of their schedule.
PREDICTIONS
14Powers Preseason Prediction
Kentucky 28, Vanderbilt 21
14Powers.com Gameweek Prediction
Kentucky 34, Vanderbilt 27
14Powers Preseason Prediction
Kentucky 28, Vanderbilt 21
14Powers.com Gameweek Prediction
Kentucky 34, Vanderbilt 27
Saturday‘s game kicks off at 4:45 pm Central time. Watch this SEC football game on the SEC Network.
