Kentucky Football vs N. Illinois today: injury report, schedule, live Stream, TV channel and betting preview for Week 4 game

The No. 8 ranked Kentucky football team is at home for the third time this season in four games and closes out the early non-conference portion of its schedule against Northern Illinois looking to remain unbeaten while cleaning up a number of things before SEC play.

It will be the first meeting between the schools and Kentucky’s second opponent from the Mid America Conference having already beaten Miami 37-13 in its opener.

Kentucky (3-0, 1-0) has the longest winning streak in the nation over non-conference teams at 18 straight. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm EST on ESPN2.

Kentucky’s defense has been the bright spot all season thanks to a very experienced corp that knows their assignments, doesn’t make mistakes, and is deep and focused.

They haven’t given up a point in six quarters and posted their first shutout since 2009 with a 31-0 win over Youngstown State. 

The Wildcats rank 12th in the nation in scoring defense allowing just 9.67 points per game and is s 14th in the country in total defense, with teams mustering just 253.7 yards per game.

It’s the offense that this Kentucky football team needs to get firing on all cylinders. The running game has really struggled with Chris Rodriguez still suspended on the season until his return next week at Ole Miss.

While nearly a dozen receivers catch balls routinely in games they have been missing key blocks and assignments that just need cleaning up.

The offensive Big Blue Wall is still trying to solidify itself and this is the last week to get that right. They have allowed quarterback Will Levis to be sacked 11 times this year.

Coach Mark Stoops is looking for his team to make a quantum leap this week and get all these little issues ironed out.

Northern Illinois (1-2) has a long history of predominantly running the ball and has a trio of backs to do the job in Antario Brown, Harrison Waylee, and Mason Blakemore who have combined for 424 yards rushing.

Quarterback Rocky Lombardi, a red-shirt senior, was injured last week against Vanderbilt and is a game-time decision. Red-shirt backup Ethan Hampton runs the exact same style so there would be no dropoff or game plan change.

Kentucky football vs N. Illinois Injury report

Offensive lineman Jeremy Flax exited the Youngstown State game with a possible knee injury but he returned. He is listed as day-to-day.

Outside linebacker JJ Weaver suffered an upper-body injury and is listed week-to-week but is doubtful for today’s game.

Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi is questionable for the game after being injured last week.

Kentucky football vs N. Illinois Odds and Betting Pick Week 4

Current odds have Kentucky as a 26.5-point favorite on Fanduel today a line that has stayed consistent all week. The matchup has an over/under of 53.5 points. The Moneyline has Kentucky -3500 and the Huskies +1280.

Just the straight-up facts:

• Kentucky and Northern Illinois are meeting for the first time.
• Kentucky is 34-7-1 vs. teams from the Mid-American Conference. The Cats have not lost to a MAC team since falling to Ohio, 28-16, on Oct. 2, 2004, in Lexington.
• Current streak: Kentucky has won 18 straight non-conference games the nation’s longest active streak
• Kentucky has not allowed a point in more than six quarters.
• Kentucky’s defense has gone 95 minutes and 49 seconds of game time since anyone has scored on them.

So what is our prediction?

Final score – Kentucky 45, Miami 9

What Channel is the Kentucky Football Game On Week 4

The Kentucky game today will be broadcast on ESPN2

The kickoff is set for 7 pm EST.

Play-by-Play: Anish Shroff

Analyst: Brock Osweiler

Kentucky versus N. Illinois Live Stream

FuboTV is an excellent option for fans in need of streaming options. And if it is your first time trying FuboTV, you are in luck, as they are currently offering a seven-day free trial for new users.

Kentucky over the airwaves

For the radio enthusiasts, our stellar team of Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jeff Piecoro (analyst), and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the UK radio network call that can be heard at 840 AM around Louisville and in the Lexington area at both 630 AM and 98.1 FM. If you are outside these areas check your local stations or you can always listen online at www.UKAthletics.com.

Kentucky’s Next Game and Schedule

Kentucky’s next game will be in Week 5 on Saturday, October 1 at Ole Miss with the Wildcats playing their second SEC game of the year and kickoff at Noon EST on ESPN.  Here’s a look at their next four games.

Week 6 Oct. 8 South Carolina TBD

Week 7  Oct. 15 Mississippi State TBD

Week 8  Oct. 22 BYE

Week 9  Oct. 29 @Tennessee TBD