Kentucky is on pace for a record season in Lexington, but projections don’t mean much in the SEC — and Texas A&M knows that. The Aggies turned a closer-than-expected loss to Clemson into an ascendant spot in the top 25 rankings after Week 3, only to be mangled like a mosquito flown into the gears of a clock in a Week 4 stomping at the hands of Alabama. That’s left A&M still searching for a marquee win — and it could get one when the Wildcats visit College Station.
Kentucky vs. Texas A&M: Picking the winner, start time, and TV/live stream info
The Aggies are favored — but Kentucky might be the hottest team in the country.
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky’s hot start has seen the Cats fly out to a 5-0 start that’s included two wins over ranked teams (Florida, Mississippi State) and five victories by 11 points or more. Veteran tailback Benny Snell has been the team’s workhorse, running for 340 yards and four touchdowns in those wins over the Gators and Bulldogs. Another big performance against a highly-regarded foe could make his Wildcats bowl eligible by the first weekend of October.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
Kentucky vs. Texas A&M news:
- You’re not going to find a more comprehensive preview of Kentucky-A&M than Good Bull Hunting’s Tailgate. Go read it.
MIKE DROP
Wildcat middle linebacker Kash Daniel will spend the first half of the game on the bench watching the Aggies try to get some points on the board while Daniel serves his one-half suspension for a targeting call last weekend. Hopefully the absence of the starting middle linebacker will free up some blockers to help quintuple team outside pass rusher Josh Allen, the best defensive player in the SEC. Kellen Mond will need to keep his head on a swivel in order to avoid ending up with his spine on a swivel.
- The Aggies are confident they can stop Snell, which hasn’t really worked out well for other teams in 2018.
- Yes, Texas A&M is the favorite Saturday, despite being 3-2 and with their best win coming from the smoking crater formerly known as Arkansas.
- With a win Saturday and Wildcats will be staring down some prestigious bowl opportunities.
Can the Aggies find a way to score?
The Wildcats haven’t allowed more than 16 points in a game since their season opener. Their three SEC opponents have combined to score 33. On Saturday, they’ll get a historically-explosive Aggie team that put up 53.5 points per game against non-Power 5 competition but just 23.5 in conference play. Unless Trayveon Williams can reverse a trend of poor performances against ranked teams in 2018, that average is going to drop a little more Saturday.
Kentucky vs. Texas A&M prediction:
The S&P+ rankings has Kentucky as the nation’s No. 15 team and A&M at 22, making this a must-watch game. The preseason ratings suggested a 12-point loss for the visitors — but it also pegged UK for a 2-3 start, so it may not be the most reliable indicator of future success at this point. The Wildcats shook off the hostile environment of Gainesville’s swamp in Week 2. Kyle Field shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment for them. Kentucky in a close one.
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