Vanderbilt at Kentucky - 2026 Matchup Preview
Vanderbilt logo Vanderbilt Commodores at Kentucky WildcatsKentucky logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Commonwealth Stadium - Lexington, KY

 
Commodores (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Clark Lea (26 - 36)
Avg Score : 39 - 23 (33 - 23 on Road)
Record Prediction: 10.6 - 2.4 (#14)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
UK is playing their 8th straight game
VAN is playing their 8th straight game
Our Line: Vanderbilt -11.5  (SP+ VAN -18.5)
Projected Score: VAN: 33 - UK: 22 (55)
VAN Win prob: 77% | Cover: 45%
VAN Travel: 182 miles, 1 hrs behind
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Will Stein (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 23 - 26 (32 - 23 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#84)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Vanderbilt's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Vanderbilt vs Austin Peay-40
Sat 9/12 Vanderbilt vs Delaware-33
Sat 9/19 Vanderbilt vs NC State-12
Sat 9/26 Vanderbilt at Auburn-1.5
Sat 10/3 Vanderbilt at Georgia+12.5
Sat 10/10 Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss+1.5
Sat 10/17 Vanderbilt vs Arkansas-15
Sat 10/24 Vanderbilt at Kentucky-11.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Vanderbilt at Mississippi State-7.5
Sat 11/14 Vanderbilt vs Alabama-1.5
Sat 11/21 Vanderbilt at Florida-4.5
Sat 11/28 Vanderbilt vs Tennessee-3

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Vanderbilt's Schedule
Kentucky's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Kentucky vs Youngstown State-26
Sat 9/12 Kentucky vs Alabama+12.5
Sat 9/19 Kentucky at Texas A&M+23
Sat 9/26 Kentucky vs South Alabama-17
Sat 10/3 Kentucky at South Carolina+9
Sat 10/10 Kentucky vs LSU+12
Sat 10/17 Kentucky at Oklahoma+20
Sat 10/24 Kentucky vs Vanderbilt+11.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Kentucky at Tennessee+15.5
Sat 11/14 Kentucky vs Florida+4
Sat 11/21 Kentucky at Missouri+17
Sat 11/28 Kentucky vs Louisville+5.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Kentucky's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
VAN#1 (.44)52% (1)38.550% (8)3.37 (9)17654% (3)2875 (3)#99 (.2)42% (68)22.840% (46)43% (91)3.9 (90)59.70.91.2
UK#115 (.08)42% (81)2345% (53)3.05 (51)13940% (96)2023.84 (57)#85 (.18)44% (97)26.444% (84)45% (112)3.98 (99)411.81.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
VAN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UK0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
VAN Offense1338.53351.9%50.9244631762875.747%52%50%54%13%.44
UK Defense1226.422.643.7%3.981.2 - - - - - 52%46%44%45%15%.18
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
VAN Defense1322.82341.7%3.91.2 - - - - - 44%54%40%43%17%.2
UK Offense122331.741.6%3.841.8203411392023.951%47%45%40%18%.08

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Vanderbilt1331:1824.151%56%6.859.70.91.26.22.4129.5
Kentucky1230:3819.740%52%4.9411.81.25.82.1029.6
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
VAN Offense1347% (92)50% (8)30.9175.95.735 (4).35 (1)3.37 (9)76% (38)8% (30)1.21 (2)
UK Defense1252% (94)44% (84) - - - - .09 (63)2.89 (71)68% (44)10% (57)0.9 (41)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
VAN Defense1344% (11)40% (46) - - - - .04 (31)2.66 (24)72% (75)11% (20)0.93 (54)
UK Offense1251% (52)45% (53)35.9139.33.919 (70).06 (98)3.05 (51)70% (84)11% (111)0.82 (124)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
VAN Offense1352% (44)54% (3)21.530.8287.39.313.430 (22)8 (34).55 (1)1.5 (74)26% (13)49% (1).78 (1)5% (28)2 (78)
UK Defense1246% (37)45% (112) - - - - - - 12 (38).31 (99)1.5 (64)30% (91)31% (85).31 (76)5% (110)2 (53)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
VAN Defense1354% (124)43% (91) - - - - - - 8 (75).35 (115)1.6 (76)34% (25)30% (78).38 (109)6% (69)2 (78)
UK Offense1247% (85)40% (96)19.130.6201.96.610.615 (128)14 (60).19 (101)1.6 (59)31% (62)26% (113).02 (134)7% (95)1.7 (131)

Vanderbilt's Power Ratings
Vanderbilt's Power Rating: 12.88  #22
Vanderbilt's Offense Rating: 22.11  #10
Vanderbilt's Defense Rating: 14.23  #45
2026 Talent Rating: 818.00  #49
Blue Chip Ratio: 6%  #49
Vanderbilt's 2026 Expected Record: 10.6 - 2.4
Vanderbilt's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 20.3  #11
Vanderbilt's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.9  #5
Vanderbilt's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.4  #39

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 985.38
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Vanderbilt: 12.88   Kentucky: 5.19

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Vanderbilt: 20.3   Kentucky: 1.8




Kentucky's Power Ratings
Kentucky's Power Rating: 5.19  #51
Kentucky's Offense Rating: 13.98  #42
Kentucky's Defense Rating: 15.40  #57
2026 Talent Rating: 826.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 25  #23
Kentucky's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Kentucky's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.8  #66
Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #80
Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7  #48

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 985.38
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


Vanderbilt Scoring
Offense: 38.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 33
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 23

Vanderbilt's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Vanderbilt 33
Kentucky 22

Projected Total Points: 55
Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.7
Defense: 26.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 22.6

Kentucky's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/22Vanderbilt45Kentucky17Vanderbilt -7Vanderbilt53.5Over
202410/12Kentucky13Vanderbilt20Kentucky -12.5Vanderbilt44.5Under
202309/23Vanderbilt28Kentucky45Kentucky -13.5Kentucky50.0Over
202211/12Kentucky21Vanderbilt24Kentucky -17.0Vanderbilt45.5Under
202111/13Vanderbilt17Kentucky34Kentucky -21.5Vanderbilt52.5Under
202011/14Kentucky38Vanderbilt35Kentucky -17.5Vanderbilt41.5Over
201911/16Vanderbilt14Kentucky38Kentucky -9Kentucky43.0Over
201810/20Kentucky14Vanderbilt7Kentucky -10.5Vanderbilt45.0Under
201711/11Vanderbilt21Kentucky44Vanderbilt -2.5Kentucky53.0Over
201610/08Kentucky20Vanderbilt13Kentucky -2Kentucky48.5Under
201511/14Vanderbilt21Kentucky17Vanderbilt -2.5Vanderbilt41.5Under
201409/27Kentucky17Vanderbilt7Kentucky -14Vanderbilt0
201311/16Vanderbilt22Kentucky6Vanderbilt -13.5Vanderbilt0
201211/03Kentucky0Vanderbilt40
201111/12Vanderbilt38Kentucky8
201011/13Kentucky38Vanderbilt20
200911/14Vanderbilt13Kentucky24
200811/15Kentucky24Vanderbilt31
200711/10Vanderbilt20Kentucky27
200611/11Kentucky38Vanderbilt26
200511/12Vanderbilt43Kentucky48
200411/13Kentucky14Vanderbilt13
200311/15Vanderbilt28Kentucky17
200111/10Vanderbilt30Kentucky56
200011/10Kentucky20Vanderbilt24
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kentucky1545 Overs
Vanderbilt1096 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams12 - 135 - 84 - 61 - 2
Road Teams13 - 128 - 52 - 16 - 4

(#22) VAN at (#51) UK
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatVANUK
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #22 #51
SP+SP+ #11 #66
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #49 #45
Blue ChipsBC% #49 #23
Vanderbilt on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
VAN OffUK Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #1 #97
ExplosiveExp #9 #57
PPAPPA #1 #85
PowerPwr #10 #57
SP+SP+ #5 #48
Pts POPPO #3 #99
HavocHav #25 #93
Vanderbilt Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
VAN OffUK Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #8 #84
Run ExplRExp #2 #41
PPAExp #1 #63
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #9 #71
Stuff RateStuff #25 #53
TackleTak - NR
Vanderbilt Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
VAN OffUK Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #3 #112
Pass ExplPExl #74 #64
PPAExp #1 #99
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #30 #57
DB HavocDB #28 #110
Kentucky on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatUK OffVAN Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #81 #68
ExplosiveExp #128 #103
PPAPPA #115 #99
PowerPwr #42 #45
SP+SP+ #80 #39
Pts POPPO #57 #90
HavocHav #110 #39
Kentucky Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffVAN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #53 #46
Run ExplRExp #124 #54
PPAExp #98 #31
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #51 #24
Stuff RateStuff #51 #31
TackleTak - NR
Kentucky Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatUK OffVAN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #96 #91
Pass ExplPExl #59 #76
PPAExp #101 #115
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #111 #20
DB HavocDB #95 #69
Program Comparison
UK 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

VAN 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Commonwealth Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Vanderbilt beat Kentucky last year (45-17)
Vanderbilt beat Kentucky in 2024 (20-13)
Kentucky beat Vanderbilt in 2023 (45-28)

  
VAN's OC Tim Beck (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Blaze Berlowitz91753%131107.7
Whit Muschamp2367%400013.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Sedrick Alexander106570115.465
Makhilyn Young4541169.180
Jamezell Lassiter9143215.948
Blaze Berlowitz118117.443
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Junior Sherrill54784714.546
Ja'Cory Thomas (Tr)41714517.455
Jayvontay Conner (Tr)23333314.579
Cole Spence15233215.533

View Vanderbilt's Full Roster

VAN's DC Steve Gregory (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
C.J. Heard714253
Bryan Longwell709142
Talan Carter (Tr)557232
Nicholas Rinaldi477491
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nicholas Rinaldi477491
Bryce Cowan324351
C.J. Heard714253
Talan Carter (Tr)557232
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
C.J. Heard714253
Ricardo Jones (Tr)391003
Jordan Matthews191003

UK's OC Joe Sloan (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kenny Minchey (Tr)202677%196007.5
JacQai Long (Tr)61833%31001.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jason Patterson5722513.929
CJ Baxter Jr.5419603.618
Kenny Minchey (Tr)784112.034
Jovantae Barnes (Tr)194512.410
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Willie Rodriguez23310113.553
Josh Kattus17195211.534
Xavier Daisy (Tr)1817719.821
DJ Miller13175213.556

View Kentucky's Full Roster

UK's DC Jay Bateman (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Bryant762001
Jordan Castell (Tr)540020
Grant Godfrey342110
Mi'Quise Grace317462
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mi'Quise Grace317462
Tavion Gadson284330
Lorenzo Cowan135300
Jamarrion Harkless (Tr)132340
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Terhyon Nichols181024
Grant Grayton160003
Mi'Quise Grace317462