Game Day Links: Kentucky Wildcats vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide

And we can’t cap off “Game Day Links” without a couple previews of the game from the national “experts.”  ESPN’s Game Day Preview

Success running the ball could be key again versus Kentucky, which surrenders an average of 196.2 rushing yards to rank only better than the Aggies’ 214.8 mark in the conference. The Wildcats have given up 11 touchdowns on the ground compared to four passing.

The Crimson Tide are averaging 264.0 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns over the past four meetings, but the most recent was a 38-20 road victory Oct. 3, 2009.

Alabama showed off some impressive depth in the backfield last weekend, when six running backs split 27 carries for 174 yards. The blowout afforded the Tide the luxury of limiting starter T.J. Yeldon to six rushes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

The sophomore leads the team with 445 yards and four scores on the ground, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.

McCarron should also be rested after he completed 15 of 16 passes for 166 yards and four touchdowns in limited duty.

The Crimson Tide are rolling defensively, yielding an average of 219.7 yards — 37.3 rushing — over the past three games. That dominance may only continue against the Wildcats, who are averaging 283.3 yards — 172.3 in the air — during a three-game losing streak.

Each of those defeats have come against ranked opponents and Kentucky has lost 13 in a row such matchups, including last Saturday’s 35-28 defeat at then-No. 13 South Carolina.

“Yeah, anybody in the top 10, anybody in the top 20, any of these good teams, they are so well coached, such history,” first-year coach Mark Stoops said. “It will be a great challenge like I said, but something that we’ll embrace.

“I just hope we continue to understand that we can win these games.”

And this from The Sports Network’s Senior College Football Editor, Scott Haynes:

"Mark Stoops is in his first season at Kentucky. His tenure in Lexington has gotten off to a slow start, as the Wildcats have won just once in their first five games. That victory came in week 2, a 41-7 win over Miami-Ohio. The team has lost three straight games since, although the last two have come against nationally-ranked foes in Florida (24-7) and most recently, South Carolina (35-28). Kentucky has had very little success against Alabama all-time, with the Crimson Tide winning 35 of the 38 meetings (35-2-1). Alabama has won four straight matchups, including a 38-20 decision in the last meeting in 2009. Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron wasn’t needed long against Georgia State, but left a lasting impression on the Panthers nonetheless, completing a ridiculous 15-of-16 passes, for 166 yards and four first-half touchdowns in UA’s romp last weekend. McCarron is one of the nation’s premier signal callers and has certainly not disappointed in his last season in Tuscaloosa, completing an impressive 71.4 percent of his passes thus far, for 1,048 yards and 10 TDs. The Crimson Tide still rely on the run (166.2 ypg) and have a talented workhorse in T.J. Yeldon (445 yards, 6.2 ypc, 4 TDs), but McCarron has a deep and talented receiving pool at his disposal and the Crimson Tide are more balanced as a result. A number of receivers can make plays, led by Christion Jones (20 catches, 232 yards, 2 TDs) and DeAndrew White (15 catches, 212 yards, 3 TDs). Despite all the yards and points the Crimson Tide allowed to Johnny Manziel and the Aggies, the defensive numbers are still impressive. On the season, Alabama ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (12.2 ppg) and 12th in total defense (299.8 ypg). The team is extremely stingy against the run at a mere 85.8 yards per game (sixth nationally) Leading the charge is All-American and Butkus Award nominee C.J. Mosley. The veteran linebacker paces the team in tackles (41), with 3.5 TFL. The secondary took a hit with the recent suspension of HaHa Clinton-Dix (24 tackles), but there is still quality depth in the defensive backfield, led by safety Vinnie Sunseri (17 tackles, 2 INTS). The quarterback position has been unsettled in the early stages, but may be settling, as Jalen Whitlow is coming off a strong effort against South Carolina, completing 17-of-24 passes, for 178 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 69 yards and another score. A dual-threat that may be gaining confidence as a passer, Whitlow also leads the Wildcats in rushing (238 yards, 3 TDs). Javess Blue (22 catches, 275 yards, 1 TD) and Ryan Timmons (19 catches, 209 yards, 1 TD) are the top targets in the passing game. The Wildcats have some weaknesses on defense that Alabama will attempt to exploit. Kentucky is allowing 391.2 yards per game to the opposition and has definitely struggled against the run, with foes averaging 196.2 yards per game, on 4.7 yards per carry. Senior middle linebacker Avery Williamson leads the Wildcats in total tackles with 51 stops. Junior ends Alvin Dupree (28 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks) and Za’Darius Smith (22 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks) are a formidable duo coming off the edges. Stoops knows the challenge in front of him and his team this weekend. “It’s going to be difficult, it definitely is. There’s so many good coaches out there, but this group is really unbelievable in their preparation, very well coached team. They do what they do extremely well and have plenty of change ups off of it, and yeah, it will be a challenge, and again, very well balanced.” The Wildcats played well against South Carolina but lack the personnel to keep this one close. Alabama’s margin of victory is impressive and little should change in Lexington."