LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky (6-5) and archrival Louisville (7-4) meet in the Governor’s Cup game that will determine bragging rights in the Bluegrass state.

What You Need To Know

  • The host Wildcats have stumbled since a 4-0 start and lost five of their last seven games

  • Louisville has rolled since a rocky 2-4 start, with five wins in six games

  • History favors the Wildcats, who have won the past three meetings by a 153-44 margin and lead the series 18-15

  • Both teams will be looking for a high note to end their seasons on, and show positive moment headed into bowl season

The host Wildcats have stumbled since a 4-0 start that included a win over then 12th ranked Florida in the Swamp and a Top 10 ranking. They’ve lost five of their last seven games, with stinging losses to South Carolina and Vanderbilt at home. On the other hand, Louisville has rolled since a rocky 2-4 start, with five wins in six games, including last week’s win over No. 24 North Carolina State.

History favors the Wildcats, who have won the past three meetings by a 153-44 margin and lead the series 18-15. They are looking for their first four-game series winning streak since 2007-10. The streaky Cardinals are looking for their first Governor’s Cup victory over Kentucky since 2017, and the first one under coach Scott Satterfield.

One of the big keys to the game will be Louisville’s high-powered offense versus Kentucky’s stalwart defense. Whether Malik Cunningham or Brock Domann starts at quarterback, the Cardinals have rolled lately. The mobile Cunnigham is questionable with a shoulder injury sustained at Clemson and missed the 25-10 win against North Carolina State. Domann improved to 2-0 as a starter, despite passing for just 153 yards. The Cards are ranked 48th in FBS offense, piling up 413.8 yards per game.

They face a Kentucky defense ranked 19th in FBS, holding opponents to 321 yards per game. Last week, they held No. 1 Georgia to just one touchdown.

One of the big question marks going into the game will be the Kentucky offense, which has struggled since quarterback Will Levis was injured in the Ole Miss game. Levis sat out the next game against South Carolina. With the exception of a dominant performance against Mississippi State, the offense has struggled to find its footing. The Cats will need a standout performance from the offensive line to protect Levis and limit turnovers.

As fans on both sides know, anything can happen in this rivalry game. The Cardinals have won their most games since Satterfield’s first season in 2019 and are bowl eligible for the third time. A Louisville win would show the program is finally heading in the right direction. The Wildcats are bowl eligible for an eighth straight year and must defend a 19-game win streak against non-conference opponents, the longest active streak in college football. A UK win would go a long way to salvage a season of struggle.

The Governor’s Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. on the SEC Network. 

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