⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Kentucky projected starting tackle Malachi Wood was absent from Wednesday's Alabama availability report after missing the opener, with the article reporting him fully cleared to play rather than still awaiting a game-time decision. - Kentucky starting cornerbacks Hasaan Sykes and Terhyon Nichols were also absent from the availability report and reported cleared for Alabama after missing the Youngstown State game. - Kentucky running back Jovantae Barnes was reported cleared for Alabama after sitting out the opener, while Tovani Mizell's previously announced season-ending camp injury remains a separate backfield absence. - Kentucky offensive lineman Jay Clark was ruled out and Max Anderson plus Aba Selm were listed questionable, with none of those three having played in the opener despite Kentucky using ten offensive linemen. - Kentucky freshman defensive back Andre Clarke Jr. was listed questionable for Alabama after also not appearing against Youngstown State, so the staff's broader full-strength expectation does not mean every reserve is available.

- Kentucky's defensive plan centers on containing Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, whom Will Stein called an elite player who can run, throw, break tackles, and avoid being caught in the open field. - Brungard opened with 232 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, 119 rushing yards, and two rushing scores against Mercyhurst after a 2025 season with 3,230 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 1,468 rushing yards. - This is Kentucky's first test under new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman against a dangerous dual-threat quarterback. - Stein said Kentucky must create third-and-medium or third-and-long because Youngstown State avoids long-yardage downs and treats many third-and-short situations as two-down opportunities. - Kentucky's edge group of Sam Greene, CJ Works, and Lorenzo Cowan was identified as the key position to watch in keeping Brungard contained.