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Three keys for Kentucky to beat the Vanderbilt Commodores

Originally posted on Kentucky Wildcats on SI
By Andrew Stefaniak | Last updated 9/22/23

Kentucky is set to begin SEC play against East foe the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville.

If Kentucky wants to win eight or more football games this season, this game is a must-win on the road.

The Cats head into this game with a few question marks on both sides of the ball but have the opportunity to fix these things against Vandy.

The question now is, what are the keys to victory for the Cats in this ball game?

Let's take a look at three keys to victory for the Wildcats against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

1. Defense needs to get off the field on third down

The defense struggled getting off the field on third down against Ball State and EKU but got a little better against the Akron Zips. If Vandy converts a whole bunch of third downs, it will give them confidence that they can move the football. This cannot happen. The Cats need to get off the field on third down, or Vanderbilt could make this a closer game than it should be to start SEC play.

2. Need to have a balanced offensive attack

The offense needs to be balanced between run plays and pass plays. The Cats have the best yards-per-carry mark in the SEC but are 13th in the conference in rushing yards. This tells me they need to run the rock more to open things up in the passing game. Balance will make the rushing and passing attack better and lead the Cats to a blowout victory over Vanderbilt.

3. Receivers need to help out Devin Leary by catching the ball

One of the big issues for the offense so far has been the passes dropped by the receivers. Dane Key and Barion Brown have dropped a few passes so far this season, that has hurt the offense and Leary's completion percentage. You can get away with those mistakes in non-conference games, but once SEC play starts, those things will bite you. The receivers need to help out their quarterback and catch the football. A good game from Key and Brown will lead to a Kentucky victory.

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