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."

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.

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.

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.

What uniform, helmet is Kentucky wearing vs. Vanderbilt?

What time does Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt start?

What TV channel is Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt on today?

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt predictions

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

• Defensive back Jaden Smith

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 ()

• Game 2 — Sept. 12: Alabama 45, Kentucky 17 ()

• Game 3 — Sept. 19: Kentucky 31, Texas A&M 21 ()

• Game 4 — Sept. 26: Kentucky 45, South Alabama 21 ()

• Game 5 — Oct. 3: Kentucky 35, South Carolina 34, OT ()

• Game 6 — Oct. 10: Kentucky 35, LSU 34, OT ()

• Game 7 — Oct. 17: Kentucky 21, Oklahoma 13 ()

• 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