LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky will put its new-found momentum on the line when it takes its three-game winning streak on the road this weekend, facing Southeastern Conference rival Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.
The Cats are now 5-5 on the season after beating Tennessee Tech 42-10 at Kroger Field last weekend. UK needs to win at least one of its final two games to become bowl eligible.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is chasing College Football Playoff hopes — just outside the field at No. 14 in the latest rankings — and is playing for a perfect home season for the first time since 1982. The Commodores are 8-2 and unbeaten (6-0) at FirstBank Stadium this season.
Louisville | Kentucky | Indiana | Eric Crawford
But the road team has won each of the last four games in this series.
More on the matchup:
The Time
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT), FirstBank Stadium, Nashville
How to Watch / Listen
TV: ESPN (Mark Jones play-by-play, Roddy Jones analyst, Quint Kessenich sideline). Streaming: ESPN app.
Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach play-by-play, Jeff Piecoro analyst, Dick Gabriel sideline). Streaming:UKAthletics.com. Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 390.
The Line
Favorite: Vanderbilt by 8.5. Over/under: 54.5 Moneyline: Vanderbilt -355, Kentucky +280
Notes: Kentucky is 3-1 this season when an underdog of 8.5 points or more. Vanderbilt is 8-2 against the spread in 2025; Kentucky is 5-5. Vanderbilt is 6-0 straight-up at home this season and averaging 38.3 points per game, eighth nationally.
The Coaches
Mark Stoops is 72-78 in his 13th season at Kentucky and is the school’s all-time wins leader.
Clark Lea is 24-35 in his fifth season at Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 8-2 for the first time since 1941.
Series History
Kentucky leads the all-time series 48-44-4. Vanderbilt has won two of the last three, including a 20-17 win last season in Lexington. Six of the last 10 meetings have been decided by one score.
The Records
Kentucky is 5-5 overall, 2-5 in the SEC, and coming off a 42-10 win over Tennessee Tech.
Vanderbilt is 8-2 overall, 4-2 in the SEC, and defeated Auburn 45-38 in overtime two weeks ago.
Players to Watch
KENTUCKY
Quarterback Cutter Boley has completed 72.3 percent of his passes the past six games. Running backs Donte Dowdelland Seth McGowan have combined for 15 rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Kendrick Law has 47 catches for 519 yards. Defensive back Ty Bryant has a team-high 56 tackles with three interceptions).
VANDERBILT
Quarterback Diego Pavia (489 total yards vs. Auburn) is one of the best in the country. Tight end Eli Stowers leads all FBS tight ends in receiving yards). Wide receiver Junior Sherrill has six touchdown catches on the season while running back Sedrick Alexander has rushed for 12. Defensive end Miles Capers has 9.5 tackles for loss.
Sideline Storylines
FRESHMAN FLAME: Kentucky redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley has settled in with poise, completing over 72% of his passes in the past six games and winning SEC Freshman of the Week three weeks running. He’s the first UK QB since Tim Couch to hit 74 percent in four games in one season. The trip to a fired-up FirstBank crowd will be a big test of his road composure
VANDY'S VAULT: Commodores QB Diego Pavia is rewriting the Vanderbilt record book. He’s coming off a 489-yard performance vs. Auburn and leads all active FBS players in total touchdowns (108). He’s a nightmare to scheme for, with elite efficiency and explosive playmaking
HOME PERFECTION AT STAKE: Vanderbilt hasn’t had an undefeated home season since 1982. The Commodores are 6-0 at FirstBank Stadium in 2025 and looking to make history in front of a sold-out crowd.
BOWL OR BUST: For Kentucky, this is it. Beat Vandy or Louisville to secure postseason eligibility. Otherwise, a season that once held higher hopes may end in December silence.
TOP 25 TURF WAR: Kentucky has played five ranked teams this season and lost all five. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, has three ranked wins — more than it had in the previous 11 years combined.
The Pick
Vanderbilt 34, Kentucky 24
Kentucky’s defense has been stingy lately, but it hasn’t faced an offense humming like Vandy’s in Nashville. Diego Pavia has been surgical, and the Commodores have too many explosive weapons — from tight end Eli Stowers to wideout Junior Sherrill — for the Wildcats to cover, especially with a badly depleted secondary. As many as six DBs could miss the game with injuries.
Kentucky can keep this close if Boley continues his hot streak and Dowdell and McGowan churn up clock. But Vanderbilt’s balance, home-field advantage, and eye on history should carry the day.
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