Missouri Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats: Kickoff time, TV, five things to know
After snapping a three-game losing streak with a blowout win over Memphis, Missouri continues a homestand with an afternoon game against No. 12 Kentucky. The Wildcats have a potent running attack led by junior tailback Benny Snell and a strong defense but not much of an air attack. Can Drew Lock and the Tigers pull off the upset?
The details
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium, Columbia
TV: SEC Network
Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)
The line: Missouri by 7
Five things to know
If you thought Memphis RB Darrell Henderson was good… Benny Snell is almost as good. Henderson entered the game against Missouri as the nation’s leading rusher and then fell to No. 2 after being limited by an undisclosed injury. Snell is currently No. 6 nationally in rushing and is averaging 124 yards per game.
Kentucky’s defense is very good: A case can be made that it’s the best Missouri will face. The Cats are No. 12 nationally in total defense, ahead of Alabama and Georgia. Linebacker Josh Allen is playing like an All-American. He’s second in the SEC in sacks with eight.
Missouri hasn’t beaten Kentucky since 2014: Barry Odom took a poll in the locker room after the win over Memphis and barely any current players were on the field the last time Missouri won. Most of them were redshirting.
Kentucky can run but it can’t... Throw the ball. Wildcats quarterback Terry Wilson ranks last among SEC starters in passing yards with 721. If Missouri can stop the run, you have to like the Tigers’ chances.
It’s still unknown whether Emanuel Hall or Nate Brown plays this weekend: Odom meets with the media on Tuesday. Hall was away from the team this past week for his father’s funeral and Brown didn’t dress against Memphis because of a groin injury. Getting either back for a game like this would be gigantic.
Alex Schiffer
Alex Schiffer covers University of Missouri athletics for The Star.
This story was originally published October 22, 2018 at 5:00 PM.