Alabama pulled away fast

Kentucky's offense sputtered all afternoon against the 12th-ranked Crimson Tide, then fell apart after halftime. Alabama closed on a 32-0 run and the game was over.

“aiding in Alabama's incredible 32-0 run to run away with the game”

One for fourteen

The number that explains the whole day: Kentucky converted a single third down in 14 attempts. Drives kept ending before they started.

“the Wildcats converted one third down out of 14 tries”

Alabama is the best at it

Some credit goes to the opponent. Alabama has the nation's top third down defense, allowing one conversion on 23 tries across two games.

Not a one week blip

Kentucky was already shaky here. In week 1 against Youngstown State, an FCS opponent, the Wildcats went 3 for 8 on third down.

“they also went just 3-8 on third down against Youngstown State in week 1”

Next stop, College Station

Kentucky now travels to face the 8th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, a team whose defense is built along the same lines as the one that just shut them out in the second half.

Same wall, different logo

Texas A&M ranks 8th nationally in third down defense. Opponents have converted four of 22 through two weeks, numbers that sit right next to Alabama's.

Ask Arizona State

The Sun Devils found out in College Station, finishing 3 for 12 on third down in a 48-20 loss.

“Arizona State went just 3-12 there on Saturday.”

Two pick sixes in a quarter

Arizona State hung around until the fourth, when A&M's defense ended it. A defensive end took one 55 yards after Cutter Boley got hit mid-throw, and Julio Humphrey returned another 45.

“In the final quarter, Texas A&M tallied two pick-sixes and helped the team pull away from Arizona State”

Depth broke the game open

The Aggies were not dominant for four quarters. They were fresh when it counted, rotating bodies late while Arizona State wore down.

“Texas A&M's defense was not on-point all game, but they were clutch when it mattered”

The pass rush feeds it

Getting to the quarterback is the engine behind everything else. A&M ranks 15th in scoring defense and is giving up 10 points a game.

“Texas A&M is allowing just 10 points per game through two weeks.”

No soft spot to attack

A&M sits 28th against the pass and 22nd against the run, so there is no obvious weak side to lean on. Two weeks is a small sample, but the front looks real.

“Up front, Texas A&M looks legit and they proved it late against Arizona State.”

The schedule gets no kinder

Alabama is done. Texas A&M is Saturday. LSU is still out there. Kentucky's season will be defined by how it handles three of the best defenses in college football.

“Next to LSU and Alabama, Texas A&M is going to end up being one of the toughest defenses Kentucky will face all season.”