Offense
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama ranks third in the SEC in total offense at 483.5 yards per game and first in scoring (with some help from defense and special teams) with a 46.5-point average, and wideout Calvin Ridley hasn't yet hit his stride with only one touchdown reception. Kentucky averages 400 yards per game and 30.3 points.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
Kentucky ranks dead last in the SEC in scoring defense at 35.3 points per game and in total defense, allowing 463 yards on average. Alabama is 16th in the country in scoring defense, giving up just over two touchdowns per outing, and second in the league in total defense, yielding 280.3 yards. Linebacker Reuben Foster leads UA in tackles.
Special Teams
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama's punter, JK Scott, is a weapon. Even with a badly-shanked boot against Ole Miss, he's averaging 44.65 yards per punt and helping Alabama control field position. UA has been explosive in the return game, but Kentucky's Charles Walker leads the SEC with an average of 27.3 yards per punt return.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama's defense is in good hands with head coach Nick Saban overseeing new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who is still putting his stamp on the unit. The Crimson Tide is quicker and leaner up front and ball-hawking on the back end. Kentucky's Mark Stoops needs to get to a bowl to show progress in his fourth season.
Intangibles
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama is the gold standard in college football. Kentucky, of course, is a top-tier basketball program. The Wildcats have been wildly inconsistent in recent seasons, while Alabama is plotting a steady course that could bring more championship hardware to the trophy case by the time this season ends. UA should be ready to play.
Prediction:
Alabama 38, Kentucky 3
Kentucky isn't in Alabama's league, even though they are in the same conference. Alabama just has too much talent across the board for the Wildcats to compete. UA will shut down the run and thrive in pass-rush situations, while Kentucky's defense will have trouble containing a big-play Crimson Tide offense powered by Jalen Hurts.
Joey Chandler
Alabama 42, Kentucky 10
Coming off of a shutout against Kent State, Alabama’s defense will cause problems for Kentucky inside the confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Wildcats may be riding high off of a two-game win streak, but the Crimson Tide will be sure to snap that streak.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 35, Kentucky 10
Last week's domination against Kent State is this week's preparation against Kentucky. Alabama still needs a lot of work offensively to be up to snuff. This won't be a pushover game, however. The Wildcats will score first before the Tide takes control of the game.
Drew Hill
Alabama 45, Kentucky 10
Kentucky is coming off a nice win over South Carolina at home, but these two teams are at opposite ends of the SEC. Kentucky's defense has been painful to watch giving up 44 points to Southern miss and 42 points to New Mexico State. Alabama wins in blowout fashion.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 38, Kentucky 8
Tim Couch isn't walking through that door (although he may be sitting on that couch somewhere.) He is the sole engineer of a Kentucky win over Alabama in the last seven decades, and will retain that status for a few more years, at least.
Ben Jones
Alabama 44, Kentucky 10
The Wildcats offense has had too many ups and downs this season to expect it to execute at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama has been able to hang points on whoever it plays. Kentucky is good enough to tack on a late score against Alabama's second string, which should see plenty of action this week.
Michael Southern
Alabama 45, Kentucky 7
Alabama needs to continue its development before hitting the heart of the SEC schedule. Kentucky has struggled on defense so if Damien Harris cannot play against his home state school look for Joshua Jacobs to have another opportunity to gain more experience.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 42, Kentucky 10
The bad news for Kentucky is that another season of disappointment is on the horizon. The good news is basketball season is right around the corner. Alabama has too many weapons and the Wildcats just can't match the Tide for four quarters.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 35, Kentucky 7
Regardless of whether or not leading rusher Damien Harris plays, the trio of other talented backs combined with a dual-threat quarterback should be enough to overcome a defense that allowed 42 points to New Mexico State.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 41, Kentucky 3
Alabama is on a roll racking up the points so far this season, and don’t expect that to change against Kentucky. The Crimson Tide's defense has been solid, and now its offense is getting on the same page. Also, coach Nick Saban has never lost a homecoming game at Alabama.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 56, Kentucky 10
Alabama scores a non-offensive touchdown - for the seventh consecutive game - in the third quarter to overcome a bit of a slow start in what quickly becomes a complete rout.
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama ranks third in the SEC in total offense at 483.5 yards per game and first in scoring (with some help from defense and special teams) with a 46.5-point average, and wideout Calvin Ridley hasn't yet hit his stride with only one touchdown reception. Kentucky averages 400 yards per game and 30.3 points.
Defense
Advantage: Alabama
Kentucky ranks dead last in the SEC in scoring defense at 35.3 points per game and in total defense, allowing 463 yards on average. Alabama is 16th in the country in scoring defense, giving up just over two touchdowns per outing, and second in the league in total defense, yielding 280.3 yards. Linebacker Reuben Foster leads UA in tackles.
Special Teams
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama's punter, JK Scott, is a weapon. Even with a badly-shanked boot against Ole Miss, he's averaging 44.65 yards per punt and helping Alabama control field position. UA has been explosive in the return game, but Kentucky's Charles Walker leads the SEC with an average of 27.3 yards per punt return.
Coaching
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama's defense is in good hands with head coach Nick Saban overseeing new coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who is still putting his stamp on the unit. The Crimson Tide is quicker and leaner up front and ball-hawking on the back end. Kentucky's Mark Stoops needs to get to a bowl to show progress in his fourth season.
Intangibles
Advantage: Alabama
Alabama is the gold standard in college football. Kentucky, of course, is a top-tier basketball program. The Wildcats have been wildly inconsistent in recent seasons, while Alabama is plotting a steady course that could bring more championship hardware to the trophy case by the time this season ends. UA should be ready to play.
Prediction:
Alabama 38, Kentucky 3
Kentucky isn't in Alabama's league, even though they are in the same conference. Alabama just has too much talent across the board for the Wildcats to compete. UA will shut down the run and thrive in pass-rush situations, while Kentucky's defense will have trouble containing a big-play Crimson Tide offense powered by Jalen Hurts.
STAFF PICKS
Joey Chandler
Alabama 42, Kentucky 10
Coming off of a shutout against Kent State, Alabama’s defense will cause problems for Kentucky inside the confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Wildcats may be riding high off of a two-game win streak, but the Crimson Tide will be sure to snap that streak.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 35, Kentucky 10
Last week's domination against Kent State is this week's preparation against Kentucky. Alabama still needs a lot of work offensively to be up to snuff. This won't be a pushover game, however. The Wildcats will score first before the Tide takes control of the game.
Drew Hill
Alabama 45, Kentucky 10
Kentucky is coming off a nice win over South Carolina at home, but these two teams are at opposite ends of the SEC. Kentucky's defense has been painful to watch giving up 44 points to Southern miss and 42 points to New Mexico State. Alabama wins in blowout fashion.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 38, Kentucky 8
Tim Couch isn't walking through that door (although he may be sitting on that couch somewhere.) He is the sole engineer of a Kentucky win over Alabama in the last seven decades, and will retain that status for a few more years, at least.
Ben Jones
Alabama 44, Kentucky 10
The Wildcats offense has had too many ups and downs this season to expect it to execute at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama has been able to hang points on whoever it plays. Kentucky is good enough to tack on a late score against Alabama's second string, which should see plenty of action this week.
Michael Southern
Alabama 45, Kentucky 7
Alabama needs to continue its development before hitting the heart of the SEC schedule. Kentucky has struggled on defense so if Damien Harris cannot play against his home state school look for Joshua Jacobs to have another opportunity to gain more experience.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 42, Kentucky 10
The bad news for Kentucky is that another season of disappointment is on the horizon. The good news is basketball season is right around the corner. Alabama has too many weapons and the Wildcats just can't match the Tide for four quarters.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 35, Kentucky 7
Regardless of whether or not leading rusher Damien Harris plays, the trio of other talented backs combined with a dual-threat quarterback should be enough to overcome a defense that allowed 42 points to New Mexico State.
Terrin Waack
Alabama 41, Kentucky 3
Alabama is on a roll racking up the points so far this season, and don’t expect that to change against Kentucky. The Crimson Tide's defense has been solid, and now its offense is getting on the same page. Also, coach Nick Saban has never lost a homecoming game at Alabama.
Tyler Waldrep
Alabama 56, Kentucky 10
Alabama scores a non-offensive touchdown - for the seventh consecutive game - in the third quarter to overcome a bit of a slow start in what quickly becomes a complete rout.
