
The excitement and opportunity are already building for Saturday when Will Stein and the Kentucky Wildcats host the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide.
To make the build-up to the game even more compelling, SEC Network’s SEC Nation and Marty & McGee will both be in Lexington next weekend for their live shows. It starts at 9 a.m. E.T. Saturday with SEC Nation, then with Marty & McGee from 12-12:45 E.T. Both shows will be live from the William T. Young Library.
Matt Barrie is the new host of SEC Nation, after Laura Rutledge concluded a long, successful run as host to take on her new role of hosting NFL Live and being a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football. Barrie is joined by Chase Daniel as an analyst, Marion Crowder as a reporter, alongside mainstays Paul Finebaum, Tim Tebow, and Roman Harper.
Speaking of Finebaum, he will also be hosting his weekday show live in Lexington Friday afternoon from 3-7 p.m. E.T. at the same location as Saturday’s shows.
This is a massive opportunity for the Wildcats. Not just playing at home against Alabama, but playing on ABC at 3:30 is a huge national draw for Kentucky. We don’t know who is calling the game yet, but it is likely one of ESPN’s elite college football duos.
Alabama beat East Carolina 48-10 on Saturday, with freshman quarterback Keelon Russell throwing for 256 yards and rushing for 86 yards and a score. This, though, will be Russell’s first road start in his college career. Kroger Field is going to be ready to roar.
Kentucky hasn’t played Alabama since Week 11 of the 2023 season, a 49-21 loss at home in Lexington. The Wildcats have just two wins in 42 games all-time against the Crimson Tide, with their last win coming in October 1997 in a 40-34 overtime win. Alabama has won eight straight games against Kentucky in the last 28 years.