SEC Football - Kentucky Wildcats Vs. Vanderbilt Commodores

On Saturday, 15 Nov 2008, the Kentucky Wildcats (6 -4, 2-4 SEC) host the Vanderbilt Commodores(5-4, 3-3 SEC) who are going to try for the fifth consecutive game to obtain bowl eligibility. The Commodores are coming off of a 42-14 loss to the Tim Tebow led Florida Gators. This was the 22nd consecutive loss to the Gators by Vandy who has three games remaining to attempt to have a winning record for the first time since 1982, and potentially go to their first bowl since 1974.

Kentucky, is coming off of a very close game against tenth ranked Georgia. The Cats lost this close SEC Football contest, 42-38, in a game that went down to the wire! Kentucky amassed 226 yards of rushing against the Georgia defense which had been second in the SEC against the run prior to the game, and quarterback Randall Cobb gained 82 yards rushing to go with 105 yards passing and three rushing touchdowns. The Cats enter the game against Vandy attempting to tie there victory total from last year's regular season to improve their bowl positioning.

Vandy Trends

Vandy entered the Florida game by getting a lot of scores with their defensive play and hadn't given up more than 24 points in a game this season. Against Florida, the Commodores gave up 330 yards in the first half.

The Commodores defense had led SEC football in sacks prior to the game, but didn't have much luck against Tim Tebow who played less than six minutes of the third quarter before leaving the game.

Vandy is going to have to recover and prepare to defend against Kentucky's new option attack that Rich Brooks has adopted for the remainder of the season due to team injuries.

Vandy Coach Bobby Johnson is still deciding which quarterback will start against Kentucky, Mackenzi Adams or Chirs Nickson. Adams has been the Commodores starter the last three games, but sufferred an injury against the Gators. Nickson finished out the game and led the Commodores only two scoring drives against the Gators.

Kentucky Trends

Kentucky is coming off of one of their best offensive performances of the season against Georgia. Randall Cobb proved very adept at getting the offense jump started against the Bulldogs, and Kentucky finished the game with a ten minute advantage in the time of possession statistic.

In addition to Cobb, Kentucky's revitalized running game saw back Tony Dixon gain 61 yards and two touchdowns and reserve fullback John Conner with 26 yards and a TD.

If not for a late interception thrown by Cobb in the red zone, Kentucky might have pulled off the upset against the Bulldogs. Look for Coach Brooks to build on the gains made by the offense last week with more complex use of the option with elements of the pro-style offense the Cats normally use tied in to the game plan to keep the Commodores guessing.

Prediction

The official line for this SEC football game has the Cats favored by four points by the odds makers. A loss by Vandy, keeps them from bowl eligibility for another week and would be their fifth straight loss after starting the season. With the SEC being guaranteed a large number of bowl bids this season, don't expect the Cats to potentially lose out on a bowling opportunity with a loss to Vandy, however, losing would ensure they do not go to an upper-tier bowl again this year.

Look for the Cats to build on the offensive progress made last week and beat the line. Prediction: Cats win by 10 points.