Kentucky Football heads to College Station to take on No. 9 Texas A&M for its first true road test of the season after failing to score a single point in the second half against No. 12 Alabama, losing 45-17 at home this past Saturday and falling to 1-1 on the season and 0-1 in SEC play.
Kentucky and Texas A&M have only played each other three times, with meetings coming in 1952, 1953 and most recently in 2018. Kentucky won the first matchup in 1952 at College Station, 10-7, but the Aggies won in Lexington
the following year, 7-6. Texas A&M also won the most recent meeting in 2018, defeating the Wildcats 20-14 inside Kyle Field in a game that went to overtime.
This will be another big test for head coach Will Stein, starting quarterback Kenny Minchey, and the rest of the Wildcats. One of the biggest questions will be whether Minchey can remain confident in his first true road test after struggling against Alabama. Minchey threw for just 146 yards and had one touchdown, a pick-six, and a fumble against the Crimson Tide.
Kentucky fans also saw that Stein was not afraid to take chances against Alabama. With his offense struggling in the second half, Stein elected to attempt a fake punt from inside Kentucky’s own 32-yard line. The attempt failed, leading to plenty of questions from fans, especially with the Wildcats trailing by just a touchdown at the time. Stein, however, believed the decision could provide a spark and was ultimately trying to win the game.
As for Texas A&M, it is another year in which the Aggies are loaded with talent and could contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. They currently sit at No. 9 in the AP Poll after making the CFP last season before losing to Miami (FL), which eventually finished as the national runner-up.
It will also be a homecoming of sorts for Kentucky defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. Bateman joined Kentucky’s staff after Mark Stoops was fired and his staff was replaced.
Before coming to Lexington, Bateman spent two seasons as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator. He called the plays during his first season before head coach Mike Elko took over play-calling duties in 2025. Bateman ultimately decided to leave Texas A&M in order to return to calling defenses, which is what he is doing at Kentucky.
Here are the things to watch for as Kentucky hopes to keep the game close against Texas A&M.
Offensive Line Must Step Up
After Kentucky’s offensive line did not allow a sack or a quarterback hurry against Youngstown State, things were much different against Alabama.
The Wildcats’ offensive line started well in the first half, but struggled after halftime as Alabama finished with four sacks and six tackles for loss.
That pressure also affected Minchey’s performance. He finished with 146 passing yards, a pick-six, a fumble, and a QBR of 44.5. Because of the sacks, Minchey finished with minus-19 rushing yards, contributing to Kentucky’s 63 total rushing yards against the Crimson Tide.
The Wildcats will also need to create more running lanes for their backs. Jason Patterson was the only Kentucky running back to eclipse 50 rushing yards, while CJ Baxter finished with just 29 yards.
The challenge will not get any easier against Texas A&M.
The Aggies have allowed just 20 points through the first two games of the season, good enough for 18th nationally. They are also allowing just 76 rushing yards per game, which ranks 22nd in the country, and 142 passing yards per game, which ranks 28th.
Kentucky will have to find better ways to move the ball down the field after struggling offensively against Alabama. That starts with giving Minchey enough time to make plays and creating opportunities for the running game.
Cut Down On Turnovers
Kentucky’s defense did a good job creating problems for Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell early, forcing two interceptions, including a pick-six, and a fumble.
However, the Wildcats did not take care of the football themselves.
Minchey threw a pick-six in the first half and nearly had another interception returned for a touchdown on Kentucky’s opening drive. Then, in the second half, Minchey lost a fumble before Patterson also fumbled on Kentucky’s final offensive possession.
In total, Kentucky had the ball come loose four times, with two of those resulting in fumble recoveries by the defense.
That cannot happen against a team like Texas A&M, especially on the road.
If the Wildcats want a legitimate chance to pull off the upset, they need to play as cleanly as possible. Protecting the football will be especially important for Minchey as he makes his first true road start.
At the same time, Kentucky’s defense needs to continue creating turnovers. The Wildcats showed against Alabama that they can force mistakes, and doing so against Texas A&M could be the difference in the game.
Limit Texas A&M’s Playmakers
While Texas A&M’s running backs have not been overly impressive to start the season, Kentucky’s front seven will still need to slow down Rueben Owens, Carsyn Baker and Jamarion Morrow.
Owens brings the most experience of the group, while Baker and Morrow have shown they can make the most of their opportunities when they receive carries.
However, the biggest concern may come through the air.
Texas A&M has a dangerous trio of receivers in Isaiah Horton, Terry Bussey and Mario Craver. Kentucky’s secondary will have to find ways to limit all three while also accounting for Marcel Reed’s ability to extend plays with his legs.
The Wildcats cannot afford to give up explosive plays, especially against an Aggies offense that has multiple players capable of changing the game with one touch.
Key Players
QB Marcel Reed — 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Senior
Reed has plenty of experience at Texas A&M, having been with the program since arriving as a freshman in 2023.
In 2024, Reed started eight of 13 games while appearing in 11. He became the Aggies’ full-time starter in 2025, starting all 13 games and completing 234 of 377 passes for 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also finished second on the team in rushing with 493 yards on 104 carries and six touchdowns.
Through the first two games of this season, Reed is 36-of-55 passing for a 65.5% completion percentage, 396 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also rushed 14 times for 37 yards.
One number Kentucky’s defensive line will certainly be watching: Reed has already been sacked four times this season.
RB Rueben Owens — 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Senior
Owens has been at Texas A&M for all four seasons of his college career and has accumulated more than 1,200 rushing yards.
This season, Owens has 27 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown. His experience will make him a difficult player for Kentucky’s front seven to overlook.
RB Carsyn Baker — 6-foot, 210 pounds, Freshman
Baker is a player Kentucky showed significant interest in under Stoops’ staff.
Although Baker never committed to Kentucky, he did take an official visit to Lexington for the Florida game while committed to the Gators. He ultimately flipped and signed with Texas A&M.
Baker has made the most of his opportunities early this season, recording nine carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.
RB J’Marion Morrow — 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, Sophomore
Despite being a young running back, Morrow has already received plenty of playing time.
As a freshman, he recorded 43 carries for 182 yards and a touchdown. This season, he already has 16 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Kentucky will need to keep an eye on Morrow whenever he enters the game.
WR Isaiah Horton — 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Senior
Horton has plenty of experience against Power Four competition after spending three seasons at Miami (FL) and the 2025 season at Alabama.
For his career, Horton has recorded more than 100 receptions, 1,400 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
This season, he has seven receptions for 109 yards and three touchdowns. With experience at both Miami and Alabama, Horton will be one of the most experienced playmakers Kentucky faces.
WR Terry Bussey — 5-foot-10, 205 pounds, Junior
Bussey is in his third season at Texas A&M and has 42 career receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown.
Through two games this season, Bussey has seven receptions for 92 yards.
WR Mario Craver — 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, Junior
Craver broke out for the Aggies last season, recording 59 receptions for 917 yards and four touchdowns.
He has picked up where he left off this season, recording eight receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Kentucky’s secondary will have to find a way to prevent Craver from creating explosive plays.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Game Time: 3:30 PM EST on September 12, 2026
Location: Kyle Field in College Station, TX
TV Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Joe Tessitore (Play-by-Play), Jesse Palmer (Analyst), Kris Budden (Sideline)
Online Stream: ESPN+ and the ESPN app
Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the UK radio call on the UK Sports Network.
Satellite Radio: XM Channel 203, Sirius Channel 98, Internet Channel 966
Replay: ESPN+ and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | Texas A&M
Stats to Know: UK | Texas A&M
Weather.com Forecast: Highs in the upper 90s with a 7% chance of rain at kickoff.
Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has Kentucky listed as a 16.5-point underdog, with a point total of 50.5. ESPN gives the Wildcats a 6.5% chance of pulling off the upset.
Predictions: TeamRankings picks the Aggies to win 34-17, while DRatings is going with a 33-17 win for the home team. Kentucky will try to bounce back after losing to Alabama, but I don’t expect the Wildcats to win or cover the spread. I’m predicting a 37-20 win for Texas A&M.
