Skip to main content
Kentucky Football takes the field

Takeaways: Alabama blows out the Kentucky Wildcats in Kroger Field

What can we take away from Kentucky's loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide?

In this story:

Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Crimson Tide

Kentucky lost in blowout fashion to the Alabama Crimson Tide after going down 21-0 quickly. 

At different times in this ball game, the Cats caught a few breaks but just couldn't ever truly get back in this football game. 

The Cats weren't ever expected to win this football game, but Big Blue Nation was at least hoping to keep it respectable, and they did not. 

What can we take away from Kentucky's 49-21 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide? 

Kentucky couldn't get it going on the ground

Nov 11, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Ray Davis (1) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

If the Kentucky Wildcats wanted to stay in this ball game, they needed to establish the ground game, and that did not happen against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama is one of the best rush defenses in college football, so it would have been hard for the Cats to establish the run, but they needed to do it since this is how the offense flows, and it didn't happen. The Cats ran for 95 yards for four yards per carry, which will not get it done against the #8 team in the nation. Kentucky got one long run in garbage time to make the numbers look better than they really were. 

Kentucky's secondary had a bad showing

Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Maxwell Hairston (31) celebrates his tackle against Akron in Saturday's game at Kroger Field in Lexington. Hairston had seven tackles in the game. Sept. 16, 2023

Alabama's quarterbacks threw for 291 yards in this football game and three touchdowns. The secondary has struggled this year, and it did again in this ball game. You can't beat Alabama in a shootout. You have to keep it low-scoring, and the Cats couldn't do that in this game. If Kentucky wants to beat South Carolina and rival Louisville, the secondary will need to be much better in these football games. 

The Cats weren't competitive

Oct 29, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops watches play during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky has played both of the SEC powerhouses in Georgia and Alabama and has yet to keep it close in any of these football games. If this program wants to take the next step toward being a top dog in the SEC, they will need to beat one of these two schools. This game shows you how wide the talent gap truly is between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

What's next? 

Next week, the Cats will take on South Carolina in Columbia in a football game that will be huge for the Cats. This game will be played at 7:30 pm et. 

Follow Wildcats Today on Socials!

Like Wildcats Today on Facebook!

Follow Wildcats Today on Twitter!

Subscribe to Locked On Kentucky on YouTube!

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.