⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Pick/market: LEXINGTON, Ky.

- Injury: Earlier this week, Kentucky football head coach Will Stein confirmed that running back Jovantae Barnes is cleared and ready to compete in the Cats' SEC opener against Alabama.

- QB/OL: Offense - QB, RB, TE, OL … advantage Kentucky.

- Injury: Kentucky football and head coach Will Stein released the first availability report of the season on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's matchup with Alabama.

- 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.

- C.J. Baxter carried nine times for 48 yards and two touchdowns in limited work during Kentucky's opener against Youngstown State, reaching the end zone for the first time since 2023 after injuries cost him all of 2024 and four games at Texas last season. - Kentucky tight end Mikkel Skinner caught four passes for 61 yards and his first college touchdown and added a three-yard carry against Youngstown State, showing a larger offensive role after four appearances without a catch last season.

- Injury: Over the summer, former Kentucky football running back Dante Dowdell reportedly suffered severe injuries following an ATV accident near his hometown of Picayune, Mississippi.