Kentucky football coach Will Stein has history with Alabama coach Kalan DeBoer but doesn't expect a replica of the Washington team DeBoer coached in 2023, when the Huskies swept Oregon when both teams were members of the Pac-12.
"He has a completely different defensive staff," Stein said earlier this week. "So much has changed since then. Their personnel, their defense, is completely different."
The only similarities, Stein said, are on offense, where DeBoer's style "stays the same."
"They're very creative," Stein said. "They attack on all fronts. They've got good run game. They got good pass game — drop-back play action. They have a mobile quarterback, so you know their offense is always good."
DeBoer said Stein is a "different playcaller now" and added that Kentucky is still somewhat of a mystery.
"There's going to be a lot of things that they've worked on that they're going to hold (from Week 1 to Week 2)," DeBoer said. "We would do the same and there's just that piece of it. What are you preparing for? Week 2 SEC game, that's an interesting thing. I can't say I've played too many conference games this early in the year. It doesn't matter; it's on the schedule and we've got to be ready to go."
Traditionally, Kentucky (1-0) hasn't had much success against the Crimson Tide. Alabama (1-0) has won eight straight against the Wildcats and owns a 39-2-1 record in the all-time series against the two conference foes. One of those rare victories came on Oct. 4, 1997, when the Wildcats edged the Crimson Tide 40-34 in overtime, for their first win over Alabama in 75 years.
From Stein's perspective, the monumental win 29 years ago won't impact Saturday's contest between the two teams.
"Every game is just different, and none of my guys, I don't think we're alive (back then)," he said. "... our guys are worried about different things nowadays, and I know that they're just really excited about the opportunity to go compete in Kroger Field in front of our fans."
Stein and his players are very much aware of Alabama's rich history as one of the most storied programs in college football history, but the Wildcats are also staying even keel.
"There are a lot of big names in the SEC and I've played them all," Kentucky defensive lineman and LSU transfer Ahman Breaux said. "At this point, it's about what we can do right to stop the opponent, no matter what the brand name is, no matter if it's Georgia, Alabama or LSU. It's another man across from me (and) at the end of the day, I've got to beat him."
Kentucky opened the Stein era with a 45-13 win over Youngstown State last week, and the Wildcats are taking the same approach in their preparation as they did before the season opener a week ago. Like Kentucky, Alabama rolled in its opener, defeating East Carolina, 48-10.
"They're all big," Stein said. "Everything that we do matters. Every single game matters. Youngstown State last week was the biggest game of our season because it was that that was the first game. Now we play Alabama, so we press reset, and we don't make it super emotional. We have a job to do. We have a practice to go out there and perform and we've got to build on these days. Have a great plan and go out there and play our best on Saturday."
Gametracker: No. 12 Alabama at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m.CT, Saturday. TV: ABC (Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, Katie George). UK Radio Network: (Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro, Dick Gabriel) on 94.7 The Mix and WiLLiE 102.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein watches his team during a 45-13 win over Youngstown State last week. (Photo by Les Nicholson)
Les Nicholson
