Kentucky vs Vanderbilt defensive X Factors

Kentucky football hosts Vanderbilt under the lights at Kroger Field on Saturday night, and the Wildcats are trying to get revenge on the Commodores from last season. Kentucky can keep the momentum rolling into the bye week if they get a win and improve to a 7-1 record. We previewed the Vanderbilt offense and defense as they are in the middle of a transition year. After listing our offensive X factors for the game, we will now go to the other side of the football and which players can make an impact defensively.

Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace has been the most consistent player on the defensive line all season for Kentucky. He has consistently made critical plays and he will need to continue that as edge defender Sam Greene was listed as doubtful in the initial injury report. Humphrey-Grace is top ten in the country in total pressures, and he ranks 15th in the SEC in tackles for loss. Likely without Greene on the edge, Humphrey-Grace will need to overpower the Commodores offensive tackles and guys like Lorenzo Cowan, CJ Works and Ahmad Breaux will have to step up.

Tavion Gadson needs to play with more consistency, but he has special pass rush tools for his size at defensive tackles. Gadson has stepped up in big games, but it’s games like this where he has a clear advantage that he has struggled in. This is a game that Gadson should create havoc consistently and get push on the interior offensive line to muddy the pocket for Jared Curtis. If Sam Greene misses this game like it is trending, Gadson and Humphrey-Grace have to takeover on the line of scrimmage against a Vanderbilt offensive line that has struggled this season.

Ty Bryant is the leader of this defense and probably the leader of the whole team, and he is well on his way to another All-SEC caliber season at safety. No safety duo in the country has created more turnovers than Bryant and Jordan Castell, as they have combined for seven total interceptions. Bryant has been a ball hawk from the moment he has stepped on campus, and this tremendous safety duo will have another opportunity to create turnovers in this one. Jared Curtis is getting his first night SEC road start in front of a sold out Kentucky crowd, and Curtis already has thrown seven interceptions on the season.

Issa Ouattara is a monstrous defensive lineman that stands at 6’7, 305 pounds. Ouattara will clog up the middle and be the guy that tries to stop this Kentucky rushing attack. The Wildcats interior offensive line have to displace him in the running game and get multiple hands on him in pass protection. Ouattara has two sacks and two tackles for loss on the season.

Junior safety CJ Heard is the best player on this defense and Clark Lea utilizes his playmaking ability in multiple ways. Heard can play deep safety, line up closer to the box or play in the slot corner/nickel spot as well. Heard is just a ball player that has a nose for the football. Heard has forced two fumbles on the season, he also has five pass breakups, three sacks, four tackles for loss and an interception; Heard is also the team’s leading tackler with 52 on the year.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky vs Vanderbilt defensive X Factors