What time is the Kentucky football game against Vanderbilt?

The Kentucky Wildcats head into their bye in Week 6 but after a massive upset of Ole Miss on the road last week, all eyes are on their next game. Until today, the opponent and location were known, but the time was not set, nor was the TV network coverage. That has all been cleared up and announced by the SEC today.

Who: Vanderbilt University
Where: Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky (Home)
When: October 12 at 7:45 pm EST
TV: SEC Network

This is actually an important game, as Kentucky will want to prove that the upset win over Ole Miss wasn't a fluke or that Ole Miss is overrated. The Wildcats want to prove that they should be in the conversation of the best SEC teams after a close loss to Georgia and now a big win over Ole Miss. Beating the Vanderbilt Commodores will continue to improve their standings in the SEC and their resume on the season.

It is also essential because Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops has not been great after a bye. His Wildcats team is 5-7 after the bye week under his tenure. Kentucky hasn't won the week after their bye since 2020. This game matters and they cannot even for a second look beyond Vanderbilt. Each and every game they need to come out and play like it is Georgia or Ole Miss.

As for this matchup specifically, Kentucky has 49 wins over Vanderbilt to the Commodores 43. Thus, this matchup historically is very close to even. Kentucky won the last contest 45-28 in 2023 and has won 8 of the last 10. So, while Stoops has had Vanderbilt's number, nothing is a sure thing, and Vanderbilt will be hungry for a big SEC win of their own. Stoops and company will need to be ready with a game plan in place to prove they are the real deal this season.