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Basketball season might have started, but this Saturday, it's time for football in Kentucky as the Wildcats head to Louisville to take on the Cardinals. The series has not been kind to Kentucky in recent years, but behind a powerful rushing attack, they might be able to shorten the game and reduce the number of opportunities that Lamar Jackson can hurt them.
Houston was able to blow up Louisville's game plan because Ed Oliver and the defensive line absolutely wrecked Louisville's offensive line. They sacked Jackson 11 times, and were disruptive from first whistle to last. Kentucky won't be able to replicate that kind of performance, which is reason enough to like Louisville here.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Noon ET, ESPN
Radio: Kentucky | Louisville
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Louisville is favored by 26 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at A Sea Of Blue for Kentucky fans and Card Chronicle for Louisville fans.
Three big things to know
1. The big question is how Louisville responds after getting drubbed by Houston last week, ending their chase for a Playoff bid. The Cardinals are now locked out of both the Playoff and the ACC title hunt, so the only thing left is to put a pounding on Kentucky and to maybe get a New Year's Six bowl invite.
2. Kentucky has rushed for at least 50 attempts in five of their 11 games this season, and depend on the running game to make things happen for them. Both Stanley Williams and Benny Snell Jr. have rushed for over 1,000 yards, and have combined for 18 touchdowns.
3. Louisville has won five straight against the Wildcats, and are heavy favorites to win their sixth on Saturday. And with Lamar Jackson at the sticks for the Cards, it's easy to see why. He looked very human against Houston last week, but Jackson is still the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman, and he should be able to get some work done against Kentucky's 86th-ranked defense, according to S&P+.