Kentucky is 2-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play, alone in first place in the league standings. The Wildcats are heavy favorites against Chattanooga, from the FCS level, after a 35-28 win against Missouri.
Here are game takes and predictions from Jeff Drummond and Justin Rowland.
What are you most interested in seeing in the UK-Chattanooga game on Saturday?
Jeff Drummond: This one has all the red flags of a let-down game for Kentucky. It comes on the heels of a big, emotional win over Missouri. It's a Noon kickoff. It's against an FCS opponent. I think all of us are wondering whether the Cats will come out looking to pound the Mocs right away, or if this is one of those games where it takes a while to get the juices flowing. It will tell me a lot about UK moving forward if they take care of business early.
Justin Rowland: There aren't a lot of great storylines compared to just about any other game on the schedule. I'd say it's almost like a built-in bye early in the season. But it will be interesting to see how the team comes out and attacks a game that doesn't have a lot of the intrigue of others.
Who will be Kentucky's most valuable player?
Drummond: My Kentucky MVP will be Chris Rodriguez. I'm really going out on a limb with that one, I know, but I think he'll view this as a chance to put up some monster numbers in his quest to lead the SEC in rushing this season. I think he goes for 200-plus again before handing things over to Kavosiey Smoke and the reserves.
Rowland: I'll call for Will Levis to have a big game while he's playing. Kentucky ran the ball 75% of the time last week and there are some parts of the passing game I feel like they can stand to work on before SEC play really heats up soon.
What's your prediction for the game's outcome?
Drummond: Kentucky 52, Chattanooga 13 -- It's hard to envision the Mocs slowing down the Cats when a pair of FBS defenses were not able to in weeks 1 and 2. Kentucky should have scored 45 last week against an SEC opponent. I think they'll top the 50 plateau this week while getting their typical defensive effort.
Rowland: Kentucky 47, Chattanooga 10. If Kentucky comes out firing on all cylinders that would be impressive. I think it's natural for a team to take its foot off the gas a little bit after a season opener with fans for the first time in two years and a long-anticipated SEC game, especially against an FCS opponent. For that reason I think there will be stretches that don't look great. But this team has too much offensive firepower not to win comfortably.
Here are game takes and predictions from Jeff Drummond and Justin Rowland.
What are you most interested in seeing in the UK-Chattanooga game on Saturday?
Jeff Drummond: This one has all the red flags of a let-down game for Kentucky. It comes on the heels of a big, emotional win over Missouri. It's a Noon kickoff. It's against an FCS opponent. I think all of us are wondering whether the Cats will come out looking to pound the Mocs right away, or if this is one of those games where it takes a while to get the juices flowing. It will tell me a lot about UK moving forward if they take care of business early.
Justin Rowland: There aren't a lot of great storylines compared to just about any other game on the schedule. I'd say it's almost like a built-in bye early in the season. But it will be interesting to see how the team comes out and attacks a game that doesn't have a lot of the intrigue of others.
Who will be Kentucky's most valuable player?
Drummond: My Kentucky MVP will be Chris Rodriguez. I'm really going out on a limb with that one, I know, but I think he'll view this as a chance to put up some monster numbers in his quest to lead the SEC in rushing this season. I think he goes for 200-plus again before handing things over to Kavosiey Smoke and the reserves.
Rowland: I'll call for Will Levis to have a big game while he's playing. Kentucky ran the ball 75% of the time last week and there are some parts of the passing game I feel like they can stand to work on before SEC play really heats up soon.
What's your prediction for the game's outcome?
Drummond: Kentucky 52, Chattanooga 13 -- It's hard to envision the Mocs slowing down the Cats when a pair of FBS defenses were not able to in weeks 1 and 2. Kentucky should have scored 45 last week against an SEC opponent. I think they'll top the 50 plateau this week while getting their typical defensive effort.
Rowland: Kentucky 47, Chattanooga 10. If Kentucky comes out firing on all cylinders that would be impressive. I think it's natural for a team to take its foot off the gas a little bit after a season opener with fans for the first time in two years and a long-anticipated SEC game, especially against an FCS opponent. For that reason I think there will be stretches that don't look great. But this team has too much offensive firepower not to win comfortably.