KSR Today: Getting ready for Vandy, the hottest team in college football, and Kentucky Basketball
By Drew Franklin,
5 hours ago
The weekend saw college football turned upside down, headlined by Vanderbilt’s upset of No. 1 Alabama and the following parade through Nashville, ending with one of the goalposts going into the Cumberland River. Vanderbilt’s shocking 40-35 victory set the table for Week 7 in Lexington, Kentucky, where your University of Kentucky Wildcats host the red-hot Commodores in a return to Kroger Field on Homecoming Saturday. The last time we saw the Cats, they upset No. 6 Ole Miss in Oxford before resting, relaxing, and watching the chaos during their bye weekend. Today, Kentucky gets #BackToWork at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.
A new Monday with Mark
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops after the win at Ole Miss – Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio
Mark Stoops should have fresh legs and vocal cords for his Monday press conference out of the bye weekend. Today, Stoops will look ahead to Week 7 with a preview of Vanderbilt and a recap of everything we should know since Stoops last addressed the media in the middle of last week. KSR will provide a replay and stories from that conversation here on KentuckySportsRadio.com.
Then, later this evening, Stoops will take new questions from the fans on his weekly coach’s call-in radio show. Listen to Stoops with host Tom Leach on the UK Sports Network from 6 to 7 p.m. tonight on the UK Sports Network.
Kentucky didn’t crack the new AP Top 25
The Associated Press updated its Top 25 on Sunday with a new No. 1 team in the country for a third straight week. This time, Texas slid back into its top spot, replacing Alabama after Alabama’s short-lived stay at No. 1. The Longhorns overtook first for a second time this season, leading fellow unbeaten teams Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State in votes.
See the new Top 25 here . Kentucky received only one vote, fewer than Louisville (4) and Vanderbilt (26).
The Cats are laying 13.5 points to Vandy
Despite Vandy’s historic win two days ago, oddsmakers still made Vandy a significant underdog against Kentucky. Currently, the Cats are a 13.5-point favorite. The early money has been on the Kentucky side because that line has already shifted more than a point from 12.
Spread: Kentucky -13.5
Total: 45.5
Moneyline -600/+440
Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key celebrates a first down vs. Ole Miss – Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio
The KSR Football Podcast goes live at 2 p.m. today
The KSR Football Podcast will preview Kentucky’s return to action with a new episode later today. I am back from vacation to join Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, and Max Duffy at KSBar and Grille for conversations about the craziness in college football and what is ahead when Vanderbilt comes to Kroger Field.
Follow along on KSR’s YouTube to watch the live broadcast. The show starts at 2 p.m. after Mark Stoops’ Monday press conference. Can’t watch? Listen to the audio-only version on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or whatever means you use to listen to podcasts.
Kentucky Basketball’s Pro Day + Big Blue Madness Week
Kentucky Basketball has a big week, beginning with its annual Pro Day tonight. The 10th edition of UK’s Pro Day will stream digitally from 6-7:30 p.m. on SEC Network+. Dick Gabriel and Jack Givens will be on the call as the new Wildcats try to impress personnel from the Association before the college basketball season begins.
Tomorrow, Kentucky and Mark Pope will step in front of the cameras and microphones for Media Day, followed by the team’s formal introduction at Big Blue Madness later this week. Big Blue Madness is set for Friday, October 11, at 7:00 p.m. in Rupp Arena. Watch on SEC Network if you didn’t get tickets.
Mark Pope stands with Lamont Butler at Kentucky basketball practice (Photo: UK Athletics)
A huge weekend ahead in Lexington
Choose your Keeneland doubleheader in the Bluegrass. Or, add KSBar and Grille to any combo for a tripleheader in Lexington.
FRIDAY: Keeneland – Big Blue Madness (7:00 p.m.)
SATURDAY: Keeneland – Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt (Football, 7:45 p.m.)
SUNDAY: Keeneland – Kentucky vs. Texas (Volleyball, 1 p.m.)
Kentucky Baseball scrimmaged Wright State
Yesterday, Kentucky Baseball scrimmaged for the first time in the new preseason. The Wildcats played two seven-inning scrimmages against Wright State in Mason, Ohio, during the 2024 Prasco Fall Festival. KSR’s Daniel Hager attended Game 1 north of the Ohio. Read his first takeaways from the new-look Wildcats here .
Kentucky Volleyball won a third straight
Since losing the SEC opener at Auburn, Kentucky Volleyball won three straight matches, including Sunday’s victory over Missouri in Historic Memorial Coliseum. 13th-ranked Kentucky beat Mizzou 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-21) to move to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Sophomore Brooklyn DeLeye continued to shine with 12 kills. Senior Megan Wilson added 10.
Karl-Anthony Towns made his New York Knicks preseason debut
Karl-Anthony Towns debuted for his new team, his hometown New York Knicks, in the Knicks’ first preseason game on Sunday. Towns played only 15 minutes in his new uniform, scoring 10 points on 2-for-7 shooting from the field. He missed four of five 3-point tries, grabbed four rebounds, and had two steals in limited time in New York’s two-point win in Charlotte. My old pal Nick Richards had eight points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in 20 minutes in the loss.
Put your phone down, Wan’Dale
In the National Football League, former Wildcat Wan’Dale Robinson went viral during the Giants’ celebration in Seattle. Robinson, who caught six passes with a touchdown, was scorned by head coach Brian Daboll while live on Instagram in the locker room.
Other Kentucky-related NFL Sunday notes:
Rookie Dru Phillips looked good at corner with four tackles for the G-Men. New York fans love the former Wildcat so far.
Rookie Ray Davis caught one pass for four yards for the Bills in a 23-20 loss in Houston.
Jamin Davis had three tackles as the Commanders moved to 4-1. Chris Rodriguez did not get a touch in the 34-13 win in Cleveland.
Will Levis had a much-needed bye week in Tennessee.
Josh Hines-Allen sacked Anthony Richardson and recovered a fumble in Jacksonville’s 37-34 win over Indianapolis.
KSR is at KSBar and Grille for Monday’s show
Today’s KSR show will broadcast out of KSBar and Grille in Lexington from 10 a.m. until noon. Come say hi if you’re in the area as I make my return to the show from a Maine vacation. We’re at KSBar today through Thursday this week before Friday’s show at Kentucky Branded in Lexington.
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