LEXINGTON — Kentucky football is a stout favorite over Vanderbilt tonight. A double-digit favorite, in fact.
Yet UK coach Will Stein preferred to focus on the past. During his weekly news conference Oct. 19, he referenced the last time the Wildcats faced the Commodores. Last year in Nashville, Kentucky had no answers for Vandy, falling 45-17.
Stein was pointed in his description.
"Last time I checked," he said, "they embarrassed Kentucky last year."
Stream Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt
If the words were intended as motivation for his players? Consider the message received.
"It plays heavy on my mind, because I do feel like they really did disrespect us last year with everything they were doing," senior defensive back Ty Bryant said. "And they called a timeout to give their quarterback a standing ovation."
That last part? Vandy called timeout to allow star signal caller Diego Pavia — the eventual Heisman Trophy runner-up — a curtain call.
But Bryant also took offense to a clip following the Commodores' 20-13 win in Lexington in 2024. After that win, a group of Vanderbilt players stomped on UK's logo at midfield.
"It's just something we're gonna keep in the back of our mind," Bryant said.
Here's the clip of the Vanderbilt player kicking the UK logo after the game, just for confirmation. Another guy joined in. #BBN@FOX56Newspic.twitter.com/ccnTtvrxhP
— Michael Epps (@MichaelEppsTV) October 13, 2024
Kentucky (6-1, 4-1 SEC) heads into its only open date of the 2026 season once tonight's contest at Kroger Field concludes. Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-4) aims to win its first conference game this fall.
Will the Wildcats take care of business? Or will the underdog Commodores pull off the upset?
The Courier Journal is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along.
Nick Saban's scouting report on Kentucky offense
Each week on College GameDay, Nick Saban offers a detailed scouting report. Saturday, he turned his attention to Will Stein and the Kentucky offense.
Coach Saban breaks down the keys to Kentucky's success this season ✍️ pic.twitter.com/pj6Qxg3Bmi
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 24, 2026
Who did 'College GameDay' pick in Kentucky/Vanderbilt game?
It was a clean sweep for ESPN's "College GameDay" predicting the Kentucky/Vanderbilt matchup: All five pickers — Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee and Nick Saban along with special guest picker Dalton Kincaid (Utah great and current Buffalo Bills tight end) — forecast a Wildcats' win.
No surprise here given the spread: Every member of “College GameDay” picks Kentucky to beat Vanderbilt today. pic.twitter.com/sGUrXM5igB
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) October 24, 2026
What uniform, helmet is Kentucky wearing vs. Vanderbilt?
SUITED UP 😼 pic.twitter.com/15z3TtkT8K
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 20, 2026
What time does Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt start?
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Kroger Field; Lexington
What TV channel is Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt on today?
- TV: SEC Network
- Streaming: SEC Network+
- How to watch online: Watch ESPN (here's how to stream it live)
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt predictions
- Ryan Black, The Courier Journal: Kentucky 48, Vanderbilt 17
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt injury updates
The SEC's most recent availability report for Saturday's game, which posted at 8:10 p.m. ET Friday, had six Kentucky players listed as out:
- Linebacker Sam Greene
- Wide receiver Nic Anderson
- LB Antwan Smith
- Tight end Lincoln Watkins
- Defensive back Jaden Smith
- DB Grant Grayton
Long snapper Cole Marszalek and defensive lineman Tyler Thomas are questionable.
Nine players are listed as "out" for Vanderbilt:
- Quarterback Blaze Berlowitz
- DB Jaylin Lackey
- Edge Brian Allen Jr.
- LB Josiah Broxton
- LB Jamison Curtis
- Offensive lineman Gunner Givens
- DL Aaron Bryant
- WR Kahden Smith
- DL Nikhil Jefferson
Kentucky schedule 2026
Here is Kentucky's schedule:
- Game 1 — Sept. 5: Kentucky 45, Youngstown State 13 (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 2 — Sept. 12: Alabama 45, Kentucky 17 (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 3 — Sept. 19: Kentucky 31, Texas A&M 21 (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 4 — Sept. 26: Kentucky 45, South Alabama 21 (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 5 — Oct. 3: Kentucky 35, South Carolina 34, OT (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 6 — Oct. 10: Kentucky 35, LSU 34, OT (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 7 — Oct. 17: Kentucky 21, Oklahoma 13 (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 8 — Oct. 24: Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network (Watch on Fubo)
- Game 9 — Nov. 7: at Tennessee, TBA
- Game 10 — Nov. 14: Florida, TBA
- Game 11 — Nov. 21: at Missouri, TBA
- Game 12 — Nov. 28: Louisville, TBA
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-Vanderbilt score today, SEC football game live updates
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