South Alabama at Kentucky Week 4 College Football Matchup South Alabama at Kentucky Matchup - Week 4
Sat, Sep 26 2026 · Week 4 · 🏟 Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY · Turf · 61,000 cap
South Alabama✈ 544 mi+1 hr TZ
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
South Alabama
19
Kentucky
35
P&R Line Kentucky -16
P&R Total O/U 53
Confidence 63 Moderate
Matchup Prediction
Kentucky has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Kentucky entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
Kentucky wins
Lean
Game Control
50.6%
Kentucky wins
Toss-up
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → South Alabama · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
South Alabama 2026 Schedule
South Alabama's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/12South Alabama at Tulane+18.5
Sat 9/19South Alabama vs Ohio+2.5
Sat 9/26South Alabama at Kentucky+16
Kentucky 2026 Schedule
Kentucky's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Kentucky vs Youngstown State-24.5
Sat 9/12Kentucky vs Alabama+12.5
Sat 9/19Kentucky at Texas A&M+19
Sat 9/26Kentucky vs South Alabama-16
Sat 10/3Kentucky at South Carolina+7
Sat 10/10Kentucky vs LSU+12.5
Sat 10/17Kentucky at Oklahoma+20
Sat 10/24Kentucky vs Vanderbilt+3.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Kentucky at Tennessee+16.5
Sat 11/14Kentucky vs Florida+3.5
Sat 11/21Kentucky at Missouri+15
Sat 11/28Kentucky vs Louisville+8
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
South Alabama PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ South Alabama
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
South Alabama #80
+0.343
Kentucky #115
+0.314
South Alabama Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
South Alabama #79
+0.535
Kentucky #101
+0.531
South Alabama Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
South Alabama #94
0.146
Kentucky #93
0.147
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Kentucky Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
South Alabama #40
+7.998
Kentucky #57
+8.193
Kentucky Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
South Alabama #85
+0.853
Kentucky #81
+0.848
South Alabama Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
South Alabama #80
71.4
Kentucky #53
70.4
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Kentucky Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Kentucky Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
South Alabama #118
-11.8
Kentucky #71
0.2
Offense Rating
South Alabama #118
8.6
Kentucky #61
16.3
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
South Alabama #115
20.4
Kentucky #77
16.1
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Kentucky Edge
Avg sequences created per game
South Alabama #82
0.73
Kentucky #80
0.91
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
South Alabama #88
1.55
Kentucky #83
1.36
Kentucky +0.18
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Kentucky Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
South Alabama #53
35.3
Kentucky #68
40.1
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
South Alabama #110
51.2
Kentucky #95
47.0
Kentucky +4.9
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 50.6% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
South Alabama
Major Applewhite #75
11–14 (44%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Paul Petrino Yr 1 #125
DC Jason Washington Yr 1 #68
Staff Rating
2.31 #103
Kentucky
Will Stein #77
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Joe Sloan Yr 1 #115
DC Jay Bateman Yr 1 #38
Staff Rating
2.60 #77
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself