No. 12 Alabama at Kentucky: Game Central, Weather Report, Live Updates and Analysis

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Alabama’s first SEC matchup and premier road game of the 2026 season is here, as the Crimson Tide will take on Kentucky at Kroger Field.

Excluding 2020, when the Crimson Tide’s entire regular-season schedule was against the conference, UA’s last time facing an SEC opponent two weeks into the season was Texas A&M in 2013.

Kentucky’s leadership is much different this season, as after 13 years, the Wildcats moved on from head coach Mark Stoops and hired Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein to fill the role. It’s the 36-year-old’s first year as a head coach of any program.

Saturday won’t be the first time that Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and Stein go head-to-head. DeBoer held the same title at Washington and faced Stein and Oregon twice in 2023, and the Huskies won both meetings, each by field goal. DeBoer is currently 1-0 in his third season with the Crimson Tide, and Stein holds the same record in his first year (and first head-coaching gig) with the Wildcats.

Kickoff between Alabama and Kentucky is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT and it’ll be broadcast on ABC and Disney+.

This story will be updated throughout the game with weather updates, big plays, scores and analysis.

First Quarter:

PICK-SIX: Alabama 7, Kentucky 7 (6:35 left)

Alabama linebacker Luke Metz returns Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey’s pass 34 yards to the house. This is exactly what Alabama needed. Two touchdowns so far from both sides, both by the defense.

FUMBLE: Keelon Russell loses the ball after Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace

Alabama was stringing together a solid drive with a couple of chunk plays, but Humphrey-Grace – who also had the pick-six – ended the Crimson Tide’s momentum.

Pick-Six: Kentucky 7, Alabama 0 (10:11 left in first quarter)

The first score of Saturday belongs to Kentucky defensive lineman Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace, who got in front of Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell, caught his own tipped pass and walked into the end zone. He only had to go a couple of yards, As Russell’s first play was an intentional grounding.

Captains and Coin Toss

Alabama – Ryan Coleman-Williams, Zabien Brown, Bray Hubbard
Kentucky – Kenny Minchey, Elijah Barnes, Olaus Alinen (played at Alabama for three years), Ty Bryant
Alabama won the coin toss and deferred for the second half

Former Alabama OL Olaus Alinen (73) is one of Kentucky’s captains.

Alabama won the coin toss and defers for the second half pic.twitter.com/NXcQfiE4vI

– Hunter De Siver (@HunterDeSiver) September 12, 2026

The Sky Over Kroger Field 15 Minutes Before Alabama at Kentucky Kickoff

Sky update 15 minutes before kickoff between Alabama and Kentucky pic.twitter.com/SJg9M8gDty

– Hunter De Siver (@HunterDeSiver) September 12, 2026

Alabama’s First-Team OL in warmups vs. Kentucky

LT Jackson Lloyd

LG Mal Waldrep

C Racin Delgatty

RG Will Sanders

RT Jayvin James

Typical starting RG Michael Carroll is out after an injury against ECU. Kalen DeBoer told Crimson Tide Sports Network on Saturday that Carroll didn’t practice all week but should be back next week vs. Florida State.

Ryan Coleman-Williams: Still Gloveless

He didn’t wear gloves in the season opener, and after having two drops (one won’t count on the stat sheet due to a penalty) Coleman-Williams tallied five receptions for 130 yards vs. ECU.

Alabama WR Ryan Coleman-Williams is gloveless in warmups.

He didn’t wear gloves in the season opener, and after having two drops (one won’t count on the stat sheet due to a penalty) Coleman-Williams tallied five receptions for 130 yards vs. ECU pic.twitter.com/nHQtKSlvmY

– Hunter De Siver (@HunterDeSiver) September 12, 2026

Weather at 1:50 p.m. CT

Some dark clouds are surrounding Kroger Field. It’s currently 80 degrees and rain may form in the area at around 3:40 p.m. CT (would be around halftime).

It is very cloudy in Lexington right now, but forecasts say that we should avoid rain during the game. pic.twitter.com/WZuPk5WOtu

Read more Rangers activate RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 3B Josh Jung from IL

– Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) September 12, 2026

The Latest Injury News From Alabama at Kentucky

The biggest injury news from the names below is Michael Carroll, who was the Crimson Tide’s only returning starting offensive lineman from last season. Ole Miss transfer Ethan Fields is next up based on Week 1’s depth chart. However, Mal Waldrep is a strong candidate for the role, as he’s been splitting first-team reps with Will Sanders for quite some time at left guard. That said, Sanders and Waldrep could also split reps at left guard.

Alabama safety Jireh Edwards, who underwent arm surgery shortly before the season, is hoping to make his collegiate debut against the Wildcats. The freshman was listed as questionable on Friday’s availability report, but was labeled a game-time decision 90 minutes before kickoff.

The following Alabama players will not be available for Saturday’s game: running back AK Dear, wide receiver Noah Rogers, offensive guard Michael Carroll, defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman (out for season with torn ACL), linebacker Cayden Jones, plus defensive backs Jorden Edmonds, Zyan Gibson and Nick Sherman.

The following Kentucky players are out: defensive back Andre Clarke Jr, plus offensive linemen Jay Clark, Max Anderson and Aba Selm. There weren’t any other Wildcats on Friday’s availability report.

Alabama Still Not Wearing Sponsor Patches

Kalen DeBoer on Monday when asked whether removing the script A was to make room for an ad patch: “Yeah, that’s probably, generally, why we did that. Preparing for the future.”

Still no sponsor patch on Alabama’s jersey.

Kalen DeBoer on Monday when asked whether removing the script A was to make room for an ad patch:

“Yeah, that’s probably, generally, why we did that. Preparing for the future.” pic.twitter.com/ofnFbHzpn1

– Hunter De Siver (@HunterDeSiver) September 12, 2026

Alabama Arrives to Kroger Field Two Hours Before Kickoff

Alabama arrives to Kroger Field

Kalen DeBoer going with the green jacket today pic.twitter.com/f47OYArmJb

– Katie Windham (@katiewindham_) September 12, 2026

College GameDay Picks for Alabama at Kentucky

Desmond Howard: Alabama
Nick Saban: Alabama
Pat McAfee: Alabama
Glen Powell: Alabama
Kirk Herbstreit: Kentucky

“My experience is we never played very well when we played at Kentucky,” Saban said. “We needed the Blue Grass Miracle to win there one time [at LSU]. I got to go with Bama. This team is a young team. I think it’s going to be a close game. I think Kentucky is better than people think.”

NFL Scouts in the Press Box for Alabama at Kentucky

Atlanta Falcons
Cleveland Browns
Indianapolis Colts (2 seats)
Miami Dolphins
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers

No. 12 Alabama at Kentucky Game Information

Who: No. 12 Alabama (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at Kentucky (1-0, 0-0 SEC)

When: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2:30 p.m. CT

Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

TV: ABC and Disney+ (Play-By-Play: Sean McDonough, Analyst: Greg McElroy, Sideline: Katie George)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts, Sideline: Damion Square, Host: Roger Hoover)

SiriusXM: Alabama – 229; Kentucky – 84

Weather: Temperature is expected to be in the high 70s at kickoff and cloudy, but rain could play a role in this one. Thunderstorms are a possibility for this one, and we’ll keep you updated if there are any delays.

All-Time Series: Alabama leads 39-2-1, with the first matchup occurring on Nov. 17, 1917, and the last coming on Nov. 11, 2023. The Crimson Tide has won the previous eight meetings, with the Wildcats last coming out on top 40-34 in overtime at home in 1994.

Last Meeting: It hasn’t been that long since the Crimson Tide headed up north to face the Wildcats in Lexington. No. 8 Alabama beat Kentucky 49-21 on Nov. 11, 2023, behind a six-touchdown performance from quarterback Jalen Milroe as the Tide clinched the then-SEC West crown. Every Alabama pass-catcher logged between 1-2 receptions, but Kobe Prentice had four for 74 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Jihaad Campbell led Alabama with a combined 12 tackles.

Last Time Out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide blew out East Carolina 48-10 at home on Sept. 5 to open Year 3 of the Kalen DeBoer era. After a quarterback battle that lasted the entire offseason, Keelon Russell, the winner, recorded 249 passing yards (17 of 29 pass attempts) and 86 rushing yards with a score (13 attempts). Russell had one of Alabama’s five rushing touchdowns, with running backs Daniel Hill (2), EJ Crowell (1) and Trae’shawn Brown (1) reaching the end zone. UA wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams dropped his first two targets, but then went on to log five receptions for 130 yards. Wolf linebacker Yhonzae Pierre had a pick-six and led a defense that played just 41 snaps, allowed just five first downs and two rushing yards.

Last Time Out, Kentucky: The Wildcats cruised past Youngstown State 45-13 at home on Sept. 5 in the first game of the Will Stein era. Quarterback Kenny Minchey, who transferred to Kentucky after three years at Notre Dame, completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 301 yards and four touchdowns. Running backs Jason Patterson and CJ Baxter combined for 126 rushing yards and two scores on 20 attempts, while three Wildcats receivers totaled 11 receptions for 183 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Kentucky had four different players tally seven tackles.

Officials: Ted Pitts (Referee), Trenton Crawford (Umpire), Jeffrey Mikus (Head Line Judge), Greg LeFils Jr. (Center Judge), Jake Osgood (Line Judge), Phillip Davenport (Field Judge), Bryan Murphy (Side Judge), Brett Toney (Back Judge) and John Allmond (Replay Official).

This Week’s Biggest Crimson Tide Headlines…

Which players should you keep an eye on? Here are three matchups that will decide this game.

What are the storylines that will have a major impact in the SEC opener?

One Alabama offseason transfer previously played for Will Stein at Oregon. Here’s defensive lineman Terrance Green’s breakdown of the Kentucky head coach.

Depth Chart: No. 12 Alabama at Kentucky

Offense

Quarterback: Keelon Russell, Austin Mack, Jett Thomalla
Running Back: Daniel Hill, OR, Trae’shawn Brown, OR, Kevin Riley, OR, EJ Crowell
WR (Z): Rico Scott, Cederian Morgan
WR (X): Ryan Coleman-Williams, Derek Meadows
WR (H): Lotzeir Brooks, Tyler Henderson
TE (Y): Kaleb Edwards, OR, Josh Ford, OR, Danny Lewis Jr.
TE (H): Marshall Pritchett, Jay Lindsey, Mack Sutters
LT: Jackson Lloyd, Tyrell Miller
LG: William Sanders, OR, Mal Waldrep Jr., Kayden Strayhorn
C: Racin Delgatty, Casey Poe
RG: Ethan Fields, OR, Mal Waldrep (starter Michael Carroll is out)
RT: Jayvin James, Nick Brooks

Defense

Bandit: Devan Thompkins, OR, Desmond Umeozulu, Fatutoa Henry
NT: Terrance Green, London Simmons, OR, Isaia Faga
DT: Kedrick Bingley-Jones, OR, Devan Thompkins, Edric Hill
Wolf: Yhonzae Pierre, Justin Hill, OR, Jah-Marien Latham
Stinger: Caleb Woodson, Xavier Griffin
Mike: Luke Metz, QB Reese, Abduall Sanders Jr.
CB: Zabien Brown, Zyan Gibson
CB: Dijon Lee Jr., Carmelo O’Neal
FS: Bray Hubbard, Zavier Mincey
SS: Keon Sabb, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., OR, Ivan Taylor
Husky: Red Morgan, Chuck McDonald III, OR, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.

Special Teams

Kickoff/place kicker: Lorcan Quinn, OR, Conor Talty
Holder: Alex Asparuhov
Punter: Alex Asparuhov, Adam Watford, OR, Anderson Green
Snapper: Ethan Stangle, OR, Alex Rozier
Punt Return: Ryan Coleman-Williams, OR, Dijon Lee Jr., OR, Rico Scott
Kick Return: Lotzeir Brooks, OR, Trae’shawn Brown, OR, Dijon Lee Jr.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/alabama as No. 12 Alabama at Kentucky: Game Central, Weather Report, Live Updates and Analysis.

This story was originally published September 12, 2026 at 6:00 AM.