Kentucky (4-6, 1-6 Southeastern Conference) is set to face off against No. 3 Texas (9-1, 5-1, ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST, with the game airing on ABC.
BetMGM’s odds indicate Texas as a heavy favorite, leading by 20.5 points.
Historically, Texas holds a 1-0 advantage in their all-time series with Kentucky.
The stakes are high for Texas, as they approach their final home game of the regular season, aiming for a spot in the SEC championship game and a potential first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
If they can secure victories in their last two games, the Longhorns will firmly control their destiny towards the SEC title.
Meanwhile, Kentucky is looking to disrupt those plans and cap off what has been a difficult season.
A crucial matchup to watch will be Kentucky’s offensive line going up against Texas’s formidable defensive duo of senior defensive tackle Alfred Collins and freshman edge rusher Colin Simmons.
Collins stands tall at 6-foot-5 and weighs 325 pounds, recently showcasing his skills in a strong performance against Arkansas.
On the other hand, Simmons, who leads the team with six sacks, added two more to his tally last week, making this matchup particularly intriguing.
Key players to keep an eye on include Kentucky’s wide receiver Dane Key, who has consistently performed, leading the Wildcats with 44 receptions for 686 yards, and maintaining a streak of 18 consecutive games with at least one catch.
For Texas, junior quarterback Quinn Ewers may be playing his last home game in a Longhorns uniform.
As a three-year starter, there’s speculation he might enter the NFL draft following this season, although Ewers has remained tight-lipped about his future.
So far this year, he has thrown for 1,898 yards and 21 touchdowns despite missing two games due to an abdominal injury.
Some notable statistics include Texas allowing only three touchdown passes the entire season, alongside an impressive 15 interceptions.
Kentucky is up against their fourth opponent this season ranked No. 7 or above, having won their first encounter but narrowly losing the next two by a combined total of just eight points.
Mark Stoops, the head coach at Kentucky, is currently the longest-tenured active coach in the SEC, entering his 12th season.
Texas’s defense boasts the top ranking in total defense, as well as in passing yards allowed, further enhancing their formidable reputation.