Both teams got their seasons off to a great start with wins over inferior opponents. Alabama dominated East Carolina, 48-10, in Keelon Russell’s first career start. The highest-rated recruit in Alabama football history showed signs of what could make him a special football player. He threw for 256 yards and added another 86 yards on the ground in the win.
Bama also ran the ball well against the Pirates, which was a good sign. The Tide finished with 227 yards on the ground. Ryan Coleman-Williams is destined for a big year as the team’s WR1, and it all starts with him offensively. He finished Week 1 with five catches for 130 yards.
Kentucky dominated Youngstown State, 45-13, getting the Will Stein era off to a great start. The Wildcats’ offense looked balanced in the win, as Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns. The Cats also added two scores on the ground to go along with 205 rushing yards.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on ABC. Here's what to look for in the game:
How will Keelon handle his first SEC test?
- Russell showed against East Carolina why he won the starting quarterback position and why he has the potential to be among the best quarterbacks in college football. But at times against ECU, you could see that he has a lot to learn and is still very raw. There was an ill-advised throw in which he was past the line of scrimmage and threw across his body. The pass was nearly intercepted.
- He also has to work on sliding, which he acknowledged following the win over ECU. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles the road environment in his first SEC start. Stein told Kentucky fans to show up and be loud, so I expect Kroger Field to be one of the loudest atmospheres in the sport Saturday.
- Expect Grubb to try to get the run game going while possibly limiting the playbook to keep Russell comfortable.
- Tons of experts have said this is the game to watch, mainly because of how Alabama has fared in games it was “supposed to win.” In DeBoer’s first year, Alabama was stunned on the road by unranked Vanderbilt after defeating No. 2 Georgia the week before. The team also was crushed on the road by a 5-5 Oklahoma team, 24-3, killing its playoff dreams. The season ended with Alabama losing to a subpar Michigan team in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 19-13.
- Last season, Alabama opened the season with what would eventually prove to be an embarrassing loss to Florida State, 31-17. The team escaped Columbia with a nail-biting victory over South Carolina, 29-22, and survived the Iron Bowl after blowing a double-digit lead.
- There’s no question about which team features more talent, but which side will show up to play and limit mistakes? That’s where Alabama could be in trouble. Bama committed six penalties against ECU in Week 1.
- What a time to be alive, with Kentucky football excited and genuinely having a chance to upset Alabama. It’s a small sample size, but Stein looks like he could have potentially revived the Wildcats’ offense. Although Minchey lost the quarterback battle at Notre Dame to C.J. Carr, he’s still extremely talented. He’s a great decision-maker who doesn’t put the ball in harm’s way.
- The thing that could scare Alabama is the thought of not knowing what to expect. It’s similar to the Florida State game last season, when there were so many unknowns coming into the game about how the opposition would play offensively. I’d also like to think Kentucky didn’t exactly have to open up its entire playbook against Youngstown State.
- Fun fact: Kentucky has not beaten Alabama in football since Oct. 4, 1997.
- I believe this game will be close in the first half. Kroger Field will be electric, potentially causing problems for a young quarterback and a new offensive line. In the end, I can’t see Kentucky’s offense torching the Crimson Tide defense. The Alabama offense could start off slow, but I think the experienced defense will make the biggest impact in this game.
- Score prediction: 28-17 Alabama wins.
- Spread: Alabama (-10)
- Over-under: 48.5
- Moneyline: Alabama (-375) UK (+295)
