Texas vs. Kentucky Opponent Preview: Keys to the Game

A strong Kentucky defense must stop a top-ranked Texas offense to win this game.

Kentucky quarterback Gavin WImsatt (2) takes a snap during practice Friday. August 2, 2024 in Lexington. / Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

AUSTIN -- Texas and Kentucky have mirrored records. While the Horns are 6-1, the Wildcats are 1-6.

But don't let the record fool you, Kentucky has some defensive strength. Early in the season, the Wildcats held Georgia to 13 points, losing the game 13-12 in a nail-biter. Not just that, but the team's only win came against Ole Miss in a 20-17 victory, and the Cats held No. 10 Tennessee to a 10-point game.

Texas, coming out of a closer-than-desired win over Arkansas, has a solid offensive line with the new wide receiver room having proved themselves throughout the season.

So Deone Walker and company will have to play their A-game to stop a high-class offensive line, and the Wildcat offense will have to get through a top-ranked Longhorn defense.

Here's what the Longhorns have to bring to pull on to come out with the win in their last home game of the year.

Pressure Vandagriff

Georgia transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff has been a solid addition to the Wildcat roster this season.

Vandagriff completes nearly 70% of his clean passes for an average of 8.6 yards per passing attempt. But this percentage plummets when under pressure.

This season, he has completed less than 30% of his pressured passes for an average of 3.8 yards per attempt. If Texas' sack game is strong, Vandagriff will have a tough time getting the ball around, and the Horns are coming out of a good defensive performance against Arkansas, with quarterback Taylen Green sacked six times.

Run the ball

The Texas offense has been constantly criticized for its inability to run the ball offensively and complete drives. Kentucky, on the other hand, averages seven tackles for loss in SEC games.

Though this statistic doesn't reflect the team's six losses, it says a lot about the fight it puts on in the opponent's backfield, making the games closer than they would be. Texas can't lose focus.

But Kentucky, though solid in tackles, hasn't been great in forcing turnovers, with a minus-three turnover margin.

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