The heart of SEC football beats loudly this week as our beloved Kentucky Wildcats gear up for a significant clash in Nashville against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Another game where we win by 30 and I am pissed off.
Mark Stoops
Starting the season with an undefeated 3-0 record, Big Blue Nation is alive with anticipation and perhaps a touch of critique. As Coach Mark Stoops expressed after the dominant win over Akron, “Another game where we win by 30 and I am pissed off.” It seems like the Wildcat spirit isn’t about merely winning; it’s about conquering.
The Commodores, standing at 2-2, have had their moments. Remember, they pulled a fast one on us last season in Lexington. With their wins against Hawaii and Alabama A&M, yet faltering against Wake Forest and UNLV, they’re still a team with tricks up their sleeves.
In our view – the Cats need to:
1. Improve Mental Alertness: It’s no secret that we’ve seen some uncharacteristic blunders & butterfingers in the initial games. These mental mistakes – whether they are holding penalties, false starts, or running incorrect routes – are a luxury we cannot afford, especially against Vanderbilt. We don’t need perfection, but we must minimize giving the Commodores any sniff of an upset.
2. Let the Offense Loose: With talents like Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Tayvion Robinson on our side, we have the firepower to challenge even the fiercest defenses. Yet, so far, some formidable defenses have managed to box us in. If we aim to send shockwaves through the SEC, it’s high time we allow our offense to run wild. With the imminent challenge from the Florida Gators looming – a dominating performance against the Commodores could create the necessary momentum to carry us through some tougher games.
3. Tame the Swann-Sheppard Combo: Vanderbilt might be having their woes defensively, but offensively, QB AJ Swann and WR Will Sheppard have been nothing short of impressive. The numbers speak for themselves, with Swann clocking over 1,100 yards and Sheppard racking up six touchdowns.
Our defense has a straightforward mission – contain these two, and take the dub.
Go Big Blue!
Kentucky Wildcats (3-0) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-2)
Time & Date: 12 p.m. EST on September 23, 2025
Location: FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, TN
LAST 5 MEETINGS
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 12/11/22 | Kentucky 21-24 Vanderbilt |
| 14/11/21 | Vanderbilt 17-34 Kentucky |
| 14/11/20 | Kentucky 38-35 Vanderbilt |
| 16/11/19 | Vanderbilt 14-38 Kentucky |
| 21/10/18 | Kentucky 14-7 Vanderbilt |
LAST 3 KENTUCKY
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 9/17 | Kentucky 35-3 Akron |
| 9/9 | Kentucky 28-17 Eastern Kentucky |
| 9/3 | Kentucky 44-14 Ball State |
LAST 3 VANDERBILT
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 9/17 | UNLV 40-37 Vanderbilt |
| 9/9 | Wake Forest 36-20 Vanderbilt |
| 9/3 | Vanderbilt 47-13 Alabama A&M |
SEC Conference Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Georgia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | LSU | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Arkansas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Auburn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Missouri | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Vanderbilt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Alabama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Ole Miss | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 13 | South Carolina | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 | Mississippi State | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
