Matchups: UK vs. Miami (Ohio)

Matchups

Quarterbacks

The Kentucky coaches have talked up the improvement of junior Mike Hartline in fall camp. Now we'll get to see if it carries over into games. Miami senior Daniel Raudabaugh has nice size at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. He will make his 18th career start and needs 318 passing yards to reach the 5,000-yard mark.

Advantage: Even

Running backs

The Wildcats have an experienced three-player rotation with Alfonso Smith, Derrick Locke and Moncell Allen, although both Smith and Locke had previous injuries flare up on them at times during the pre-season. Thomas Merriweather came to Miami as a highly touted recruit and led the team with 547 rushing yards while starting just six games due to injury. Redshirt freshman Danny Green will also see significant time.

Advantage: Kentucky

Wide receivers

The Cats expect their receiving corps to be vastly improved thanks to the expected emergence of sophomore Randall Cobb and the arrival of junior-college transfer Chris Matthews, who was dominant in camp. Miami welcomes back its top four pass-catchers including junior Chris Givens, who took seven of his 35 receptions in for scores last year.

Advantage: Kentucky

Offensive line

Six of Kentucky's top 10 linemen have starting experience, led by second-team pre-season All-SEC pick Zipp Duncan at left tackle. Junior Marcus Davis will make his first career start at center for the suspended Jorge Gonzalez. The Red Hawks are breaking in three new starters, including a true freshman (center Brad Bednar) and a redshirt freshman (right tackle Matt Kennedy). Left tackle Brandon Brooks is a 325-pounder with a 36-inch vertical leap who started all 12 games last year.

Advantage: Kentucky

Tight ends

Ross Bogue, T.C. Drake, and Maurice Grinter all have playing experience and could see action on Saturday, while Miami sophomore Kendrick Bruton will be making his first career start. Bruton is the brother of former Notre Dame defensive back David Bruton, now a rookie with the Denver Broncos.

Advantage: Kentucky

Defensive line

UK has three new starters up front. Senior Corey Peters is proven at tackle and big things are being expected out of junior-college transfer DeQuin Evans at end. Miami is extremely green up front: inside guys Mike Johns and Jordain Brown are making their first starts while end Matt Kajmowicz makes his second.

Advantage: Kentucky

Linebackers

Linebacker is another area where Miami is young, with a pair of true freshmen (Wes Williams and Evan Harris) in the lineup. Kentucky's only returning starter, Micah Johnson, is questionable with a foot injury but Sam Maxwell and Danny Trevathan performed well during spring practice and in fall camp.

Advantage: Kentucky

Secondary

This is the one position on defense where the Red Hawks have some battle-tested veterans: cornerbacks Jeff Thompson and Brandon Stephens have 15 starts between them, and junior strong safety Jordan Gafford is the defensive co-captain. Led by senior All-America candidate Trevard Lindley, the Wildcats have a deep, talented secondary that could be among the school's best in recent memory.

Advantage: Kentucky

Special teams

The Miami kicking game is in a state of flux with the Red Hawks replacing both their punter and placekicker from last season. The Cats have an experienced albeit inconsistent kicker in Lones Seiber, while Ryan Tydlacka takes over punting duties full-time after serving as the 'pooch' punter last fall. Both teams have dangerous return men. Miami's Eugene Harris ran back two punts for scores last year, and UK's Derrick Locke, Alfonso Smith and Winston Guy are all capable of breaking off a long run. Brooks said he is concerned about kickoffs.

Advantage: Kentucky

Chip Cosby