Kentucky Wildcats have dropped their last three games to Missouri since the Tigers have joined the SEC. Their last meeting ended in a 20-10 grind-it-out game where Kentucky's offense could not overcome Missouri's defense. A similar game could be on the horizon when the Tigers return to Commonwealth Stadium.
Missouri has no reason to be afraid of this newly renovated stadium as they currently are winning wherever they go. They have an 11-game road winning streak heading into this game. A mark like that takes any sort of home-field advantage away from the Wildcats instantly.
Kentucky is the complete opposite, as they won their first away game two weeks ago against South Carolina for the first time in four years; and it didn't come easy.
All of Kentucky's games have ended in a seven-point margin or less. At first glance that statistic would make a team exciting to watch, but when the Wildcats blow double-digit leads at halftime two weeks in a row and score nine points the next week, it makes for a long game.
Missouri had their struggles, too, as their last game against Connecticut ended in a 9-6 decision. Defensive games can be fun to watch, but when both teams don't break double-digits, it can be painful to watch.
Combining these two defensive-minded teams may just cause a game like that to occur. Kentucky has relied on their defense taking care of business when the offense is no longer scoring. Missouri has done the same, but they execute better on offense than the 'Cats. Don't be surprised if the team that gets a field goal first ends up winning.
Kentucky's QB Patrick Towles has made leaps with his accuracy on passing like he needed to yet he is still struggling. His line was outmatched completely against Florida and Towles had no way of staying in the pocket long enough to make a play. Kentucky's receivers need to run quicker routs against defenses that are bigger than them to give their QB a break.
Missouri will be without freshmen WR DeSean Blair as he was involved in a car crash that included four Tigers players. He was diagnosed with concussion and will have to miss the game.
Kentucky's LB Ryan Flannigan was reported to be ready to go by head coach Mark Stoops. Flannigan missed all three of Kentucky's games this season with a nerve injury he suffered to his shoulder during training camp. Returning his senior leadership back into the lineup should improve Kentucky's play.
Kentucky's star RB Stanley "Boom" Williams also suffered a significant ankle injury against Florida but will play this week. He may not be as explosive as usual if he is still feeling the effects of that injury.
If this game plays out like it should, both teams are in store for a long night on offense. Kentucky's offense has shown flashes of greatness and they will need a big spark to get past this defensive-minded squad.