The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Kentucky Wildcats on the road at Kroger Field on Saturday afternoon.
Alabama will enter the matchup as the overwhelming favorite despite a major roster overhaul from the Wildcats this offseason. Former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein will get his first taste of SEC play this weekend as well, as Kentucky hired Stein as their head coach following an impressive stint as the Ducks’ OC across the last two seasons.
The Tide’s defense will need to limit Kentucky’s run game to the best of their ability, as many feel as if Stein and his staff will lean heavily on former Texas running back CJ Baxter throughout Saturday’s matchup. Baxter recently took a moment to share what he expects to see from Alabama’s defense tomorrow, as the senior claims the Crimson Tide’s chemistry could give them a slight edge over the Wildcats.
“They have a great defense, number zero, I’m not sure how to say his name but (Yhonzae) Pierre he’s a great football player,” Baxter said. “Great football player, the backers and good too, number four (Luke Metz) and number seven (Caleb Woodson). Great defense, I think they are in year two or three together. Same with number 18 (Bray Hubbard), he’s a great football player so they’ve got a lot of experience on that team as well. They’ve played games with one another, but games like this are about execution and physicality.”
Baxter recorded 48 yards and two touchdowns on nine total carries during Kentucky’s 45-13 win over Youngstown State last weekend. The running back appears to be extremely confident entering Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup, and the Alabama defense as a whole will need to play at an elite level once again in Week 2.
