How Kentucky and Missouri match up — with a game prediction
How Kentucky (2-2 SEC) and Missouri (1-2 SEC) match up at each position — with a game prediction:
Quarterbacks
Kentucky’s Terry Wilson ran his record as UK’s starting QB to 14-5 with a solid showing (12-of-15 passing for 101 yards and a TD; 32 yards rushing) in the Wildcats’ 34-7 throttling of Tennessee last week. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound senior is completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 564 yards and is Kentucky’s second-leading rusher (253 yards). In Missouri’s 45-41 upset of LSU, redshirt freshman Connor Bazelak torched the Bayou Bengals’ struggling secondary, completing 29 of 34 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns. It will be interesting to see if UK’s resurgent defense can make Bazelak, a 6-3, 220-pound product of Dayton, Ohio, uncomfortable in the pocket.
Advantage: Kentucky.
Running backs
Kentucky redshirt sophomore Christopher Rodriguez is now the Wildcats’ leader in rushing (257 yards, 5.6 yards per carry) and rushing touchdowns (four). The 5-11, 224-pound product of McDonough, Ga., carried 13 times for 73 yards and a TD in the victory at Tennessee. Starting RB A.J. Rose (192 yards rushing, 4.8 ypc, one TD) had a rough go (10 carries, 22 yards) at UT. Missouri standout Larry Rountree ran for 119 yards on 18 carries vs. LSU. The 5-10, 210-pound senior from Raleigh, N.C., now has 3,018 career rushing yards and needs 9 more to move into third all-time in the Mizzou record book. Versatile Tyler Badie had a TD run (29 yards) and a TD reception (21) in the victory over LSU. The 5-9, 200-pound junior scored Mizzou’s sole TD in last year’s 29-7 loss to Kentucky on a 74-yard pass play.
Advantage: Even.
Wide receivers
Kentucky senior Josh Ali (22 catches, 246 yards) is eighth in the SEC in receptions. Ali had a team-high four catches for 38 yards at Tennessee but lost a fumble. Junior Allen Dailey (six catches, 68 yards, one TD) played strong at Neyland Stadium with three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown. Missouri’s receiving corps was thinned out by COVID-19 complications for the LSU game — Virginia Tech transfer Damon Hazelton (nine catches, 100 yards) and fellow starter Keke Chism (three catches, 40 yards) were among the sidelined — but the Tigers found other playmakers. Redshirt sophomore Tauskie Dove caught six passes for 83 yards and a TD. Former quarterback Micah Wilson made two receptions for 45 yards and a score. Junior Jalen Knox (14 catches, 156 yards) is Mizzou’s leading receiver.
Advantage: Missouri.
Tight ends
Kentucky’s Keaton Upshaw (four catches, 39 yards, one TD) dropped what should have been his second touchdown catch of the season last week at UT. Starter Justin Rigg (five catches, 43 yards) had a damaging drop two games ago vs. Mississippi State. Missouri’s Niko Hea (three catches, 28 yards, one TD) caught the game-winning touchdown pass vs. LSU. Daniel Parker has four catches but for only 11 yards.
Advantage: Kentucky.
Offensive line
Kentucky senior left tackle Landon Young was chosen SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play at Tennessee. The 6-7, 321-pound Lafayette High School product graded at 90 percent and had 10 knockdown blocks. Pro Football Focus/College named center Drake Jackson and guard Austin Dotson to their Team of the Week for their play at UT. Missouri center Michael Maietti is a graduate transfer who was a three-year starter at Rutgers.
Advantage: Kentucky.
Defensive line
Kentucky will be without one of its staples, senior nose guard Quinton Bohanna, this week due to a leg injury. That will leave junior Marquan McCall and true freshman Justin Rogers — both Michigan products — to man the middle of the UK line. Missouri is also without a standout D-lineman: Tackle Kobie Whiteside is sidelined by a right leg injury. Markell Utsey (end) and Isaiah McGuire (tackle) are trying to pick up the slack in Whiteside’s absence.
Advantage: Even.
Linebackers
Kentucky MLB Jamin Davis (12 tackles, an 85-yard interception return touchdown) was stellar at Tennessee. Redshirt freshman rush end/OLB J.J. Weaver looks like a developing star. The Louisville product had six tackles with two tackles for loss at UT. Missouri MLB Nick Bolton is a hammer. The 6-foot, 232-pound junior has 36 tackles in three games. Rush end/OLB Trajan Jeffcoat (three QB sacks) is disruptive.
Advantage: Kentucky.
Defensive backs
Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph had a pick-six (41 yards) at Tennessee, while strong safety Tyrell Ajian had an interception that led to a UK field goal. Missouri free safety Joshuah Bledsoe broke up an LSU pass on fourth-and-goal from the Mizzou 1-yard line to preserve the upset victory. SS Martez Manuel leads the Tigers in TFL (3.5) and is third in tackles (21).
Advantage: Kentucky
Special teams
Since his Ole Miss difficulties cost Kentucky dearly, place-kicker Matt Ruffolo has gone 7-of-7 on extra points and 3-of-3 on field goals. Punter Max Duffy (47.8 yards a punt; 5-of-18 stopped inside the 20; 7-of-18 of 50-plus yards) will duel with a familiar face this week. Missouri’s punter is Grant McKinniss (44 yards a punt; 2-of-8 inside the 20), the former UK punter and kickoff specialist who is a graduate transfer at Mizzou. Freshman place-kicker Harrison Mevis has been an early-season sensation, hitting five of six field goals with a long of 52 yards.
Advantage: Even.
Prediction
Kentucky 23, Missouri 21.
