Alabama @ Kentucky preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2009 ) Alabama 38, Kentucky 20

Top-ranked Alabama plays Kentucky for the first time since 2009 when the teams meet in Lexington on Saturday night. The Crimson Tide basically had a week off to prepare as they cruised past Georgia State 45-3 last week. Quarterback A.J. McCarron has never been more accurate than in his last four games, connecting on 77.7 percent of his throws for 938 yards and nine touchdowns with two interceptions.

Under first-year coach Mark Stoops, the Wildcats have been surprisingly competitive through a brutal schedule. They fell 35-28 at South Carolina last week and will be playing their fourth straight top-20 opponent Saturday. Kentucky has found its quarterback in Jalen Whitlow, who took every snap against the Gamecocks and accounted for three touchdowns.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Alabama -27.5

ABOUT ALABAMA (5-0, 2-0 SEC): The Tide have won 16 straight road games and nine straight overall. Alabama has held four of five opponents this season under 10 points thanks to playmakers like defensive back Vinnie Sunseri, who’s returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Sophomore T.J. Yeldon has run for 445 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (1-4, 0-2 SEC): The Wildcats rank third in the SEC and 24th nationally in pass defense, while their Air Raid offense is averaging 388.8 yards per game and rushing for 5.1 yards per carry. Kentucky showed its big-play ability by scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter at South Carolina, and the team already has six plays of at least 40 yards. This is a team on the rise, with eight true freshmen playing and only 15 seniors on the roster.

EXTRA POINTS

1. McCarron’s .938 winning percentage is the all-time highest at Alabama and in the SEC. He’s 30-2 as a starter.

2. Alabama owns a 35-2-1 edge in the series, including four straight wins.

3. Kentucky senior LB Avery Williamson averages 10.2 tackles, which ranks third in the SEC.

PREDICTION: Alabama 41, Kentucky 17