Northern Illinois Versus Kentucky Preview

Kentucky has won 18 straight non-conference games. The last loss came to Northwestern in the 2017 Music City Bowl. They play Northern Illinois on Saturday at 7:00 pm on ESPN2.

Kentucky is undefeated and ranked eighth in the AP Poll. The team is ranked 122nd in rushing yards and 125th in sacks allowed. Youngstown State had 10 tackles for a loss against Kentucky. Chris Rodriguez will return next week after a four-game suspension. Northern Illinois is currently ranked 14th. They play Kentucky on Saturday.

Thomas Hammock's team is 1-2 on the season. They won their opening game over Eastern Illinois 34-27 and lost at Tulsa 38-35. Last week they took a 28-14 lead over Vanderbilt into the third quarter but they lost 38 to the Commodores. Rocky Lombardi, a transfer from Michigan State, went down with a leg injury in Saturday's game. Freshman Ethan Hampton took over and did well.

Northern Illinois and Kentucky are meeting for the first time. Kentucky is 28-5 against the Southeastern Conference all-time. Northern Illinois is 1-12 against SEC and their only win was over Alabama in 2003.

The Wildcats are playing a game against the Huskies on Saturday night. The game is the final chance for the Wildcats to get things right before getting back into conference play at Ole Miss next week.

Northern Illinois and Kentucky are playing each other in a New Year's Six bowl.