Staff Predictions for Alabama vs Kentucky

The Alabama Crimson Tide play host to the Kentucky Wildcats this Saturday for Alabama's 2016 homecoming game. Coming off an easy victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes, Nick Saban and company will be looking for their second conference victory of the season to keep them at the top of the SEC West.

The Crimson Tide opened up as 31 point favorites according to the experts in the desert, and in most places that line has actually went up to around 35. In other words, Alabama is the heavy favorite to win this match-up. Will this be a good time for the Tide to get some more of the players deep down in the depth chart some playing time, or will Mark Stoops and the Wildcats pull off the upset?

Martin Houston, Host of The Morning Blitz

Alabama was hit with some tough news and it could be a game changer for Alabama and how they use freshmen sensation, Jalen Hurts. Will Saban and Kiffin continue to use Hurts as a dual-threat QB or will they dial it back? Fortunately for Bama, it will not matter this week, because the Tide will roll the 'Cats in a blowout! Look for the freshmen backfield of Hurts, Jacobs & Emmons to account for a total 7 TDs. Alabama 62, Kentucky 6

Wimp Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

I look for Kentucky to try and run the ball and control the clock. Bama will wear them down and get a couple of scores late. Alabama 38, Kentucky 14

Barry Sanderson, Co-Host of Inside the Locker Room

Bama will be cautious with a brutal 4 game stretch ahead. Look for them to rely heavily on the running game in the 2nd half. Alabama 41, Kentucky 13

Gary Harris, Host of The Gary Harris Show

Shutouts are difficult to come by these days, but no team has had more of them in the last 10 seasons than Alabama. In fact, the Tide has as many shutout victories (18) as losses under Nick Saban. Bama will record its 19th shutout of the Saban era on Saturday night against Kentucky. Alabama 38, Kentucky 0

Travis Reier, Host of Southern Fried Sports

The Cats have won two in a row. As homecoming fodder for the nation's top-ranked team, they'll start a new streak Saturday night. Alabama 41, Kentucky 9

Aaron Suttles, Host of The Suttles Approach

Regardless of whether or not leading rusher Damien Harris plays, the trio of other talented backs combined with a dual-threat quarterback should be enough to overcome a defense that allowed 42 points to New Mexico State. Alabama 35, Kentucky 7

Ryan Fowler, Host of The Game

Alabama has another tune-up game before the grind of the SEC arrives. Alabama is the better team and they will play a complete game vs. Kentucky. Enjoy the homecoming and celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1966 undefeated team. Alabama 42, Kentucky 7

Ben George, Digital Managing Editor

This will be Alabama’s easiest opponent for the next six weeks with a stretch of three straight games against ranked SEC opponents coming in October. Jalen Hurts and the Crimson Tide offense should build some confidence against the conference’s worst defense on Saturday night, while the defense should be licking its chops to face an offensive line that’s given up 13 sacks already this season. Avoid injuries and eliminate mistakes will be the goal this weekend. Alabama 49, Kentucky 10

James Hardy, Producer

It's homecoming week for Alabama and a chance to notch an SEC win before hitting the road for a pair of big SEC road games. Look for the Crimson Tide defensive line to overwhelm an improved Kentucky running game. Alabama 41, Kentucky 13

Ryan McMunn, Producer

Kentucky isn't good on the defensive side of the ball. They gave up 44 and 42 points to Southern Miss and New Mexico State, respectively. However, this Kentucky team has thrown up some points so far, averaging 30.3 through four games this season. It's going to take some serious chutzpah for this Wildcat team to compete with the Crimson Tide for four quarters. Too much talent and too much motivation for yet another appearance in the College Football Playoff give the Tide their homecoming victory, even following the events of the announcement of Blake Barnett's transfer and the arrest of Tim Williams. Alabama 41, Kentucky 10