With Louisville coming off their worst stretch of the season and Kentucky coming off their best, the stage is set for a compelling rivalry game. In the past couple of years, the series has been pretty even, with Louisville winning 41-14 last year and Kentucky winning 38-31 the year prior. Fans should be in for a great game.
Kentucky running back Seth McGowan has been dominant all year. With 720 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, he has been a big part of Kentucky’s success. Louisville’s most impactful player does not come from the running back position but from wide receiver Chris Bell. Bell has tallied 917 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions. His big-play ability is what Kentucky will have to worry about. At any moment, he can make a play that changes the game.
The defensive side of the ball is where Kentucky shines. Allowing just 20 points during its three-game win streak has made the Wildcats look like a problem. Kentucky safety Ty Bryant has been the leading tackler for the Wildcats. Racking up 40 solo tackles and 62 total stops, he has been dominant at the safety position. Bryant also leads the team in interceptions with four on the year. He is going to be a problem for Louisville quarterback Miller Moss.
For Louisville, the defense is no joke either. Allowing about 23 points per game, it will be tough for the Wildcats to get going. Louisville defensive lineman Clev Lubin is a force in the trenches. He has totaled five sacks, 19 solo tackles and 40 overall tackles. Along with those numbers, he has a forced fumble. Kentucky’s McGowan is going to have to watch out for Lubin when he tries to bounce a run outside.
Big Kentucky fan and senior Josh Kepnes said, “With the players that Louisville has out,” and “I think Stoops always shows up big for this game,” implying he believes Kentucky will win. Kepnes said the keys to success are that “the defense has got to show up” and the offense “needs to execute when given chances.” Kepnes predicts a final score of 20-17 in favor of the Cats, with his MVP pick being Cutter Boley.
From a Louisville fan perspective, senior Cameron Kaufman said, “I feel like Louisville would win, but it’d be a pretty tight game.” Kaufman said the key to Louisville’s potential victory is that “the O-line finishes their job, making blocks and just run the ball down their throat.” He predicts Louisville will win 32-16 and says the MVP will be running back Keyjaun Brown.
Senior Grant Fitzpatrick said, “Me personally, as a neutral fan, I think Kentucky is gonna win the game.” Fitzpatrick said the key to a Kentucky win is “turnovers,” and he noted that Louisville’s offense hasn’t looked very good. He predicts a final score of 20-14 with Ty Bryant as the MVP.
With the information from the people interviewed, it seems the game is leaning Kentucky’s way. But there is really no way to tell. Both teams are coming off losses in games their fan bases thought they could win. Both teams will be looking to end the regular season on a good note. Louisville, already bowl eligible, will be looking to secure a better bowl game.
