LEXINGTON — Kentucky football has gone more than a month without tasting defeat.
After leading at halftime, UK was no match for Alabama in the final two quarters Sept. 12 at Kroger Field, as the visitors pulled away for a 45-17 victory. Since then, the Wildcats have ripped off five straight wins. Their latest: a 21-13 road victory against Oklahoma on Oct. 17.
Kentucky and first-year coach Will Stein now are 6-1 overall, with a 4-1 mark in SEC competition. UK is tied for first in the conference standings alongside Georgia.
The Cats are back in Lexington this week. Their foe: Vanderbilt.
The Commodores aim to turn around what's been a forgettable season to this point. Knocking off a ranked Kentucky club would be a start.
Here are three things to watch heading into the clash between the Wildcats and Commodores at Kroger Field:
Can Kentucky notch one more win before lone open date?
Things couldn't be going much better for Stein's squad. They're in the middle of the aforementioned win streak and in a surprising perch atop the league standings. They're ranked No. 12 in the latest editions of the two major polls (the US LBM Football Coaches and Associated Press Top 25). Even if they lose every game going forward, they're ensured of playing in a bowl, which will end a two-year drought in that department.
But most importantly, UK is included in many projections you'll come across of the forthcoming 12-team College Football Playoff field.
If Kentucky can't vanquish Vanderbilt, however, that possibility is likely out the window.
Provided UK takes care of business as a heavy home favorite this week, it will head into its open week with six consecutive victories.
UK looks to retake control in series vs. Vandy
The rivalry with Vanderbilt is one of the few SEC series Kentucky actually leads. Entering this week's matchup, the Wildcats hold a 49-45-1 advantage on the field. (UK's 2021 win has been vacated because of NCAA violations.)
Despite the Cats' all-time lead in the series, the Commodores have taken control in recent years. Vanderbilt has won three of the past four matchups, including two in a row in Lexington.
Stein seeks to help his school retake control. Prior to Vandy's recent run, Kentucky won six straight meetings from 2016-21.
Commodores back in the SEC basement
Vanderbilt has long been the punching bag of the SEC, facing schools with far larger enrollments and willingness to pay top dollar for football excellence.
That hasn't been the case the past two seasons. Thanks to superstar signal-caller Diego Pavia, the Commodores went to consecutive bowl games. The Heisman Trophy runner-up last year, Pavia led Vandy to a 10-3 season.
It was the first time the program ever finished with double-digit victories in a single campaign.
But with Pavia no longer around, it's been tough sledding for Vanderbilt.
After opening the season with three wins in nonconference play, it's 0-4 against league foes. That includes a loss last week to Arkansas — the only other team that was winless in the SEC this season prior to notching a victory in Nashville.
Updating figures we included in our preseason power rankings of the SEC, check out Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea's record with, and without, Pavia:
His record with Pavia: 17-9 (9-7 SEC).
His record without Pavia: 12-31 (2-26).
Kentucky football players to watch
Kenny Minchey, quarterback: Week after week, the senior signal-caller avoids throwing the ball to opponents. After another interception-free outing at Oklahoma, Minchey has gone five consecutive games without a pick. He's completed 68.4% (141 for 206) of his passes for 1,552 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2026.
Willie Rodriguez, tight end: The junior star was responsible for both of the team's offensive touchdowns against the Sooners, hauling in a pair of passes from Minchey. It was the first time in his college career he had more than one score in the same game. He's caught a pass in all seven games this season and 17 of his last 18 appearances overall.
Grant Godfrey, linebacker: The Georgia native had arguably his best outing as a collegian in the victory over Oklahoma. He tallied 15 tackles, a career high. Godfrey's 67 tackles this fall are second in the SEC, trailing only Missouri's Nicholas Rodriguez, who has 77.
Vanderbilt football players to watch
Junior Sherrill, wide receiver: The local product from Nashville has been Vandy's top offensive threat. Sherrill leads the team in every major receiving category — by a significant margin. He has 33 receptions (second: 12). He has 529 yards receiving (next closest: 146). And he has three TD receptions (no one else on the team has more than one).
CJ Heard, safety: After beginning his career at Florida Atlantic, Heard transferred to Vanderbilt, where he tied for the team high in tackles last season with 72. He's on his way to surpassing that feat in 2026, as he's pacing the 'Dores with 43 takedowns through six games.
Tyler Ebel, punter: Ebel, a South Dakota native, has been the conference's best punter. He's averaging 47 yards per attempt, more than two yards better than anyone else in the league. Among FBS punters, only four are averaging more yards per boot than Ebel.
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt football prediction
Kentucky 48, Vanderbilt 17: The Wildcats have played heart-stopping games the past three weeks. They won't make it four. In a contest that's over by halftime, Kentucky eviscerates an overmatched Vanderbilt outfit. It's all smiles for coach Will Stein and Co. as they head into the bye with seven wins in their first eight games this fall.
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How to watch Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt football game
Who: Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-4 SEC) at No. 12 Kentucky (6-1, 4-1 SEC)
When: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: Kroger Field; Lexington
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jeff Piecoro (analyst) and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington and online at UKAthletics.com.
Streaming: Qualified subscribers can watch the game at espn.com/watch.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt storylines, players to watch in Week 8 SEC matchup